Sharjah: HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has dedicated AED 4.5 million ($1,225,323) to enrich Sharjah’s public and government libraries.
The funding enables the acquisition of a wide array of contemporary works from Arab and international publishers featured at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024).
The esteemed fair brings together over 2,500 publishers, offering an extensive range of literary and scholarly works to a global audience.
The annual grant underscores Sheikh Sultan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the book industry and expanding access to knowledge for readers, students, and researchers across Sharjah and the UAE. By enhancing library collections, the initiative promotes a knowledge-based society, furthering Sharjah’s cultural and intellectual renaissance.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), highlighted that, “The Ruler of Sharjah’s support advances our mission to strengthen the publishing sector, ensuring contemporary thought and knowledge are accessible within Sharjah’s public spaces. By updating library resources with the latest scientific and intellectual publications, we keep our community at the cutting edge of knowledge and innovation.”
Al Qasimi emphasized the transformative role of libraries in shaping society’s future, noting that Sharjah’s commitment to enhancing library resources and accessibility reflects its dedication to societal progress. She added that SIBF serves as a dynamic platform supporting publishers and the literary ecosystem, fostering growth and diversity in the book industry.
Through this annual investment, Sharjah’s libraries receive thousands of new titles, enhancing the emirate’s role as a global knowledge hub and enhancing its reputation for fostering research and enriching the literary landscape both locally and internationally.