NLA highlights efforts to advance its knowledge system

April 12, 2026 / 11:46 PM

Sharjah 24: The National Library and Archives (NLA) organised a dialogue session showcasing the latest developments at the National Library and its ongoing efforts to strengthen its position as a cultural and civilisational beacon that preserves the UAE’s heritage, documents the nation’s history, and reflects the country’s role in safeguarding intellectual and cultural legacy.

Strategic institution in building a knowledge society

Acting Executive Director of the National Library and Archives, Dr Hamad Al Mutari, said the National Library represents a strategic institution in building a knowledge society, given its role in providing access to information and supporting scientific research. He noted that recent developments cover collections, modern technologies, and operational frameworks in line with legislation and its executive regulations, contributing to an integrated information system that highlights the UAE’s intellectual and cultural identity.

National standards and documentation systems

Hamad Al Hammiri, Director of Research and Knowledge Services, reviewed the library’s journey since its integration with the National Archives in late 2021, highlighting its role in building an integrated national information system. He emphasised the importance of the national bibliographic control of the country’s intellectual output, the creation of the UAE authority file, and the development of technical operations and library services across a nationwide network.

He also noted the establishment of national standards for collecting documentary heritage, the implementation of legal deposit regulations, and the UAE’s growing role in international organisations. The National Library and Archives is now the national authority for ISSN allocation in the UAE. He further highlighted scholarship programmes in library sciences, with the first cohort nearing graduation, alongside initiatives such as collection development and the upcoming ISBN service launch.

Digital transformation journey

Dr Riyadh bin Lalam, Digital Transformation Project Lead, presented a technical overview of the library’s digital development journey, which took around five years to transition from a traditional system to an advanced digital infrastructure.

He said the institution has adopted global best practices, launching a digital repository in 2023, an integrated library management system (2023), an electronic portal for access to knowledge resources (2025), a legal deposit management system (2025), and the UAE catalogue (2026).