Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation

Abdul Hameed Shoman Library Symposium

The Library Symposium is an annual specialized event launched by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Library in 2016. It aims to advance the library sector and strengthen its role as a driver of cultural and intellectual change within society. The symposium targets professionals working in public, school, and children’s libraries, as well as information specialists, academics, and others interested in the field of knowledge.

The symposium hosts international experts and practitioners from around the world to share best practices and the latest trends in the library sector. It highlights the evolving role of libraries in the age of digital transformation, technology, and sustainable education. Its themes also explore topics such as user experience, reading promotion, service innovation, and the role of libraries in contemporary societies.

One of the symposium’s main objectives is to discuss the latest trends in the world of libraries, exchange expertise with regional and international institutions, and develop innovative ideas that enhance the library user experience while raising awareness of the vital role libraries play in community development.

Library Symposia Since Its Inception

Library Symposium – 2016
The 2016 Library Symposium addressed the importance of expanding the role of public libraries beyond being mere spaces that house various sources of knowledge for research, reading, and borrowing — to becoming vibrant community hubs that actively contribute to social development. Discussions focused on how to activate digital content such as e-books, educational tools, and smart devices; the library’s social role as a space for meetings, performances, learning, and inspiration; and how to shift the library’s mission from working with books to working with people and the community. You can watch the symposium recording by clicking on the screen.

The 2017 Library Symposium explored the role of libraries in transforming and empowering communities by providing access to knowledge resources, helping individuals of all ages develop skills and find job opportunities, and creating spaces for learning, discovery, and innovation. It also emphasized how libraries strengthen community relationships by fostering dialogue, offering spaces for play and exercise, and even supporting the delivery of public services. The symposium further discussed community participation, partnership development, and the evolving role of libraries in the modern era. You can watch the symposium recording by clicking on the screen.

The 2018 Library Symposium focused on the evolving services of modern libraries — transforming them into music studios, meeting and co-working spaces, venues for workshops and training sessions for both children and adults, and centers for media production, cultural publishing, and event organization. Libraries also worked on training their teams to become multitaskers, facilitators of activities, workshop specialists, and friends to patrons. The symposium additionally discussed ways to promote reading and how to activate it effectively, whether through print or digital formats. You can watch the symposium recording by clicking on the screen.

The 2019 Library Symposium explored how libraries can become welcoming, caring, and engaging spaces — committed to excellence while remaining enjoyable and attractive. The discussions emphasized the importance of program design and delivery, highlighting that activities should be tailored to specific target audiences rather than kept general. The symposium also presented the concept of the library as a studio for generating ideas, solving problems, discovering oneself, and finding one’s passion. For academic librarians, the session showcased the Chapman University (California) experience in activating their library and attracting students through exhibitions and events that match their interests. You can watch the symposium recording by clicking on the screen.

The 2020 Library Symposium was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how libraries responded and managed their operations during the crisis. The symposium presented the experiences of libraries that chose to reopen after the first wave while adhering to strict health and safety measures, continuing to offer services and programs to a limited number of users through a hybrid access model. It also showcased libraries that decided to remain closed physically but continued providing all services and programs remotely, expanding their outreach to reach users wherever they were — all while maintaining safety protocols. The symposium highlighted our library’s own experience during that period. You can watch the symposium recording by clicking on the screen.

In 2022, the sixth Library Symposium addressed a significant topic relevant to all members of society — not only librarians — focusing on the promotion of reading, which is essential for the progress and well-being of communities. One of the key definitions of “reading,” agreed upon by a group of researchers and specialists, describes it as a set of interactive processes between the reader and the text, through which the reader uses their knowledge to initiate, construct, and derive meaning.

As for the impact of reading, it serves as a cornerstone of human knowledge — the more one reads, the better equipped they become with tools and insights to face life’s challenges. Reading also fosters critical and analytical thinking skills, enhances concentration, and offers free entertainment and a mental escape for those who cherish it. Researchers have also found a positive correlation between the number of books read and the diversity of life experiences, creativity, and academic achievement. Given the profound importance of reading, it is essential that we take deliberate steps to cultivate and strengthen it within our society, drawing inspiration from both local and global experiences.

The symposium featured talks by H.E. Haifa Najjar, Minister of Culture; Ms. Valentina Qussisiya, CEO of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation; Mr. Sinan Sweis, General Manager of Jabal Amman Publishers; Ms. Catherine Lau, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Library Board in Singapore; and Ms. Diana Ray, CEO of FUNDALECTURA, an organization dedicated to promoting reading in Colombia.

في العام 2022 كان موضوع الندوة السادسة خاص وهام لجميع أفراد المجتمع وليس فقط للمكتبيين، والتي جاءت بهدف التشجيع على القراءة والذي لا بد من تحقيقه لضمان نهضة ورفاه المجتمع. من أبرز تعريفات "القراءة" التي اتفق عليها مجموعة من الباحثين والمختصين: أنها مجموعة من العمليات التفاعلية بين القارئ والنص، حيث يستخدم القارئ معرفته لبدء وإنشاء وبناء المعنى.

وفي أثر القراءة نقول أنها بناء معرفي للإنسان، بحيث كلما قرأت أكثر تسلحت أكثر بأدوات ومعارف تفيدك في مواجهة التحديات، والقراءة تساهم في إيجاد وتعزيز مهارات التفكير الناقد والتفكير التحليلي وتعمل على زيادة نسبة التركيز لدى الأشخاص وهي ترفيه مجاني ونزهة عقلية لمحبي هذا الفعل. وجد الباحثون أيضا أن هناك علاقة طردية بين عدد الكتب المقروءة وتنوع تجارب الحياة والإبداع وزيادة التحصيل الأكاديمي. لعظم أهمية القراءة لا بد لنا من اتخاذ خطوات لبنائها وتعزيزها في مجتمعنا بالاستفادة من تجارب محلية وعالمية.

وقد تحدّث بها كل من وزيرة الثقافة معالي السيدة هيفاء النجار والرئيسة التنفيذية لمؤسسة عبد الحميد شومان السيدة فالنتينا قسيسية، والسيد سنان صويص المدير العام لجبل عمان ناشرون، والسيدة Catherine LAU مساعد الرئيس التنفيذي لمجموعة المكتبات العامة في سنغافورة، والسيدة Diana Ray الرئيسة التنفيذية لمؤسسة FUNDALECTURA المعنية بتشجيع القراءة في كولومبيا.

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