get in the way. We are an international com- munity and mutuality will benefit us all. The forthcoming conference presents delegates with a great opportunity to network with library and information pro- fessionals from other countries, to learn from their ideas, projects and experiences, and to understand different perspectives on what, so often, are surprisingly similar problems. Conference colleagues will be able to help move the discussion, and the international programme, forward. Please do attend this free conference if you can. I know we are stronger, and can be more successful, if we work together. I hope to see you on 25 June.


Eman Bushulaibi is Director of Sharjah Public Libraries and will be speaking about the development of library services in the region.


not walls’, and I believe we are well- placed to promote cultural diplomacy. We are an international network of highly-skilled individuals whose instincts and inclinations are always to share – whether it’s books, resources, archives, information or expertise, actual or online. Widening access to what’s available is what we do.


Library and information professionals are on the front line when it comes to interaction with specific interest groups, academics, other professions, and the wider public. We are respected and trusted, and have a key role to play in combating fake news and alternative facts. As such we have influence, so how we conduct ourselves, as an interna- tional body, really matters. If working across borders is the norm for us it may begin to seem normal in other areas. Admittedly Working Internationally is not without its problems. We operate in different countries with different systems of government – some, perhaps, not to our tastes. Those of us who live and work in Western democracies tend to think autocratic regimes are oppressive – that life under them lacks essential free- doms or basic human rights. Elsewhere in the world the excesses of Western culture are equally frowned upon. To some societies, the West’s much-vaunted freedoms don’t look all that liberating. These are differences of context and they are significant – but that doesn’t mean we can’t collaborate as global professionals, wherever we are located, and whatever rules and restrictions we operate within. In my view, it’s vitally important to focus on the values, expe- riences and ambitions we share – on the common ground to be found across a troubled world – and not let geopolitics


April-May 2021


Information Professional (IP): Can you tell us a little bit about Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) – its focus, its mission and an overview of some of the services?


Eman Bushulaibi (EB): With its roots extending back to 1925, the Sharjah Public Library (SPL), a subsidiary of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), was officially inaugurated in 2011 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Coun- cil Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Since then, SPL has been on a for- ward-looking and progressive journey of empowering members and associates with knowledge through an array of contempo- rary resources, including a digital library with a wide range of books, reference material, journals, scientific letters, rare manuscripts, articles, and a variety of con- tent to benefit researchers.


IP: You are Director of SPL, could you explain what that involves?


EB: I am passionate about building and nurturing SPL into one of the best librar- ies in the world. At the risk of sounding immodest, I should add that I am cred- ited with having facilitated 50 per cent organisational growth of SPL in just three months of joining it. I have also been the official spokesperson of SPL since 2018. As the Director of SPL, I oversee the implementation and execution of its strat- egies. My ambition is to position it as not only a destination for knowledge but also a unique hub that draws diverse communi- ties to meet, learn and grow.


I believe in partnering with stakeholders locally as well as globally, and in build- ing and mentoring teams to achieve our ambitions. As an expert in finance as well as human resources management, I can manage budgets as well as teams, skills germane to managing and growing a behemoth like SPL.


Eman Bushulaibi, Director of Sharjah Public Libraries,


IP: Can you tell us about SPL’s involvement with the Working Internationally Project and the services International focus?


EB: SPL believes in forging partnerships with different education and knowledge centres worldwide. At the heart of these collaborations lie our ambition to multiply information sources, and also continue on our mission to bring more libraries and sci- entific institutions, as well as their valuable information archives, into our partnership folds.


Only by learning from and supporting one another can the global community of library and information professionals remain strong and vibrant. Through such collaborations, we will be able to ensure that libraries continue to be the corner- stone of communities in the future.


IP: As we are (hopefully) moving back to some sort of normality in life – what are your plans for the library?


EB: Now that we have learnt to cope with the new realities of life, we plan to get back to vigorously promoting Sharjah’s cultural project by achieving SPL’s strategic objec- tives. We aim to make a difference through several new initiatives. We will also continue to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals through collaborations with international organisations like CILIP in the UK, or AECID in Spain, and partner with a network of local and international libraries and associations and others to promote literacy, offer learning opportuni- ties, support lifelong learning, and more. SPL will strive to be the backbone of both academics and communities by promot-


INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 27


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