[ad_1]
Dubai: A high-level delegation from the UAE National Library and Archives recently visited the UK to gain insight into leading library and archives activities and related best practices, as the UAE continues to be the region’s educational, intellectual and cultural hub.
The UAE delegation was led by Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the UAE National Library and Archives. Also on the panel are: Omar Al Kaabi, Director, Office of the President, National Library and Archives, UAE; Farhan Al Marzouqi, Director, Corporate and Community Outreach, National Library and Archives, UAE; Faisal Al Hammadi, National Library and Facility Maintenance Engineer for Archives.
Shakespeare’s material
Delegates visited the Cadbury Research Library, a unique collection of Mingana Arabic manuscripts, and viewed the world-famous Birmingham Quran. They also visited Birmingham City Council’s iconic Birmingham Library, where they met Professor Ewan Fernie from the University’s Shakespeare Institute, who received them in the library’s Shakespeare Room, where they learned about the Everything to Everyone project.
During the UAE delegation’s visit to the Birmingham Library and the University of Birmingham late last month.
Image source: provided
The Birmingham Library is home to the city’s vast archive of regional, national and Shakespeare-related materials. Shakespeare’s material appears in Everything to Everyone – a community engagement partnership with Birmingham City Council. This connects the citizens of Birmingham with the archives. They also visited The Exchange, the University of Birmingham City Centre Community Engagement Centre.
“Incubating Human Heritage”
Al Ali said: “The National Archives and Libraries aspire to establish a UAE National Library that will be a national reference and cultural and information centre, preserving the UAE’s heritage and highlighting the development of its science and civilization, similar to the major Global libraries incubate human heritage. One of our top priorities is to visit the UK’s major libraries because of their global status.”
The Birmingham Library has an extensive archive of regional, national and Shakespeare-related materials.
Image source: provided
Welcoming the two delegations to the University of Birmingham, Vice-Chancellor and Head Professor Adam Tickell commented: “We have a wealth of expertise at the University of Birmingham to support and expand our knowledge-sharing facilities. I am delighted to welcome from the UAE valued guests of the National Library and Archives so that we can support the UAE’s vision to develop its libraries and archives and other cultural assets and activities.”
Electronic resources
Members of the UAE delegation with officials from the University of Birmingham.
Image source: provided
The University of Birmingham Libraries are one of the largest academic libraries in the UK, with 2.7 million books and academic journals, over 16,000 electronic resources and an outstanding research collection of over 4.7 million manuscripts.
Diane Job, Director of Library Services, said: “I am delighted to be able to take our esteemed guests on a tour of the University’s Main Library and Cadbury Research Library, home to our special collections. The University’s Libraries It is an important academic and research resource for the UK.”
[ad_2]
Source link