Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

State Council panel studies status of libraries

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MUSCAT: The Committee of Culture, Information and Tourism at the State Council on Tuesday hosted officials and owners of the public libraries in the Sultanate to gain inputs for its ongoing study titled: “The Reality of Public and Private Libraries in the Sultanate”.


The intension was to highlight the educational and educational role of libraries, which adopt multiple means of self-learning, and deliver accurate information to the recipients. It enables achievement of scientific and cultural growth and makes the library an effective centre within the community. It promotes among the community the advantages of effectively investing time in reading. This makes it imperative to maintain the position of libraries in preserving the cultural heritage of the nation, through the collection of ancient manuscripts, and the promotion of literary and cultural role for the dissemination of the literature among young people.


The meeting headed by Dr Ahmed bin Ali al Meshaikhi, Head of the Culture, Information and Tourism Committee, was held in the presence of the committee members and the secretariat staff.


The meeting discussed topics related to the study. This included library content, number and quality of books, the availability of digital technology, number of visitors, their ages and discussed the number of employees to be placed in the library with their qualifications, link to other libraries, its timings, the loan system, its location and space needed to operate.


Additionally, it touched on the relevance of its mission, and manuscripts of the library and its care. The meeting also discussed the difficulties and challenges facing libraries and the impact of Internet and the vision for the future development of libraries.


It is worth mentioning that the study comes within the framework of identifying the status of the library in the Omani society and the status it upholds, it is past and present, the services and programs provided by the library and its contribution to community development and its adaptation to the cultural, literary and intellectual needs of the society.


The meeting also delved into the development of traditional services and provision of new services related to the modern knowledge society. In addition, it discussed the status of libraries, their geographical distribution, legal framework, and government support and eligibility. It also discussed the future requirements of libraries and the challenges they face in the process of the dispersing knowledge.


The proliferation of technologies to provide information pertaining to scientific, intellectual, and literary aspects of life, considering that this future depends on the continuity and production of content with high quality and taking into account the needs of modern times. — ONA


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