Qatar National Library forum explores libraries as social infrastructure

Doha, Qatar: Qatar National Library has launched the fifth edition of its Libraries Lead Forum, gathering library professionals, experts and community leaders from Qatar and beyond. The two-day event, running from 14 to 15 October at the Library, is themed “Reimagining Libraries as Social Infrastructure.”

Pre-forum workshop on co-design

The forum began on 13 October with an interactive pre-forum workshop titled “Co-Designing the Social Library: Tools for Community-Led Transformation.” It was led by Dr. Khulud Ali Sahhari, Assistant Professor and Head of the Information School at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Participants were equipped with practical frameworks and participatory design methods to shape services and spaces that build social capital and bridge digital and social divides.

Opening addresses and keynote messages

The main forum opened on 14 October with addresses by Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, and Executive Director of Qatar National Library Tan Huism. The opening programme also featured a pre-recorded video keynote by Leslie Weir, President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and a message from Prof Emad Issa Saleh, President of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI).

In his opening remarks, H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari said: “At its core, our forum theme envisions the Library as a cornerstone of community—a space where people gather to learn, exchange ideas, cultivate trust, and unlock new possibilities. It challenges us to consider everything a library brings to a person’s life: knowledge they can use, skills that help them grow, and a genuine sense of belonging.” He added: “At Qatar National Library, serving our community is a sacred trust—one through which we preserve our shared heritage, broaden access to knowledge, and open doors for learning and connection.”

In her welcome address, Tan Huism said: “There is an important difference between designing services for our communities and designing them with our communities. Qatar National Library is proud to bring together colleagues from Qatar, the region, and around the world to challenge our assumptions, learn from one another, and explore what we can do differently tomorrow that we are not doing today.”

Regional library showcase and breakout sessions

Representatives of seven regional libraries shared how their institutions are making a positive impact in their communities. The libraries included the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library in Jordan, Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Library in Qatar, Ithra Library in Saudi Arabia, Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Iraqi National Library and Archives, and Sultan Qaboos University Library in Oman.

In the afternoon, attendees joined six breakout sessions covering topics from cultural memory and active citizenship to digital knowledge systems and children’s futures. Presentations by the Library’s specialists included sessions on the Manara research repository and on investing in childhood through libraries.