Prompted by its interest in library affairs and in conjunction with the festivities of Sharjah Public Libraries,
The National Library and Archives sheds light on its library and its advancement.

The National Library and Archives (NLA) participated in a session titled “History of Libraries in the UAE, Celebrating the Centenary of Sharjah Libraries”. During the session, insights were shared regarding the origins of libraries and their progress in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the Emirate of Sharjah.
The NLA’s participation stems from its engrossment with all types of libraries, as well as its commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage, enhancing and empowering knowledge societies, while also fostering the knowledge economy and promoting reading and the spread of information.
Mr. Hamad Al-Hamiri, Director of the Research and Knowledge Services Department, represented the National Library and Archives in the session. In his speech, he accentuated the NLA’s role in preserving the nation’s enduring heritage along with utilizing it to enrich the vision for both the present and future. He underscored the NLA’s ongoing national journey as it fulfils its pioneering mission to collect, safeguard, and provide access to the memory of the nation.
Al-Hamiri pointed out that the NLA’s library was founded in 1968, simultaneously with the establishment of the National Library and Archives itself, which was initially called the Documents and Research Bureau. Since that time, it has played a crucial role in supporting the NLA’s goals, offering its services to researchers and the wider public.
He also highlighted Federal Law No. (13) of 2021, which unified the National Archives and the National Library under a single entity and outlined the National Library’s responsibilities. His presentation shed light on key future aspirations, including initiatives and projects, along with both technical and technological solutions.
It is important to note that this session was part of the Sharjah Public Libraries’ centennial celebration program. It served as a platform to emphasize libraries’ roles in fostering knowledge, documenting cultural heritage, and embedding reading as a vital aspect of daily life.
Participants in the session included Dr. Fahad Al Maamari, Chairman of the Emirates Library and Information Association (ELIA), Mr. Ali Mohammed Al Matrooshi, Advisor on Heritage and Local History in Ajman, Ms. Iman Bushlebi, Director of Sharjah Libraries Department, and Mr. Sultan Al Mazrouei, Board Member of the Emirates Library and Information Association.