“Arkhéopolis”: Archival Science Strikes Back (ICA Congress – Episode V, October 13, 2023)
Antony BELIN
Couteau suisse : spécialiste de l'archivage électronique intègre et multifonctions - Le handicap est une force, il m'en dit "cap'"...
After a wonderful 5 days, we finally concluded proceedings at the ICA Congress Abu Dhabi 2023. The morning’s events and closing ceremony offered a final chance to reflect upon what we have each learned and experienced during this week. We can now begin to think about how we can use what we have discovered in Abu Dhabi to enrich our own work, wherever we come from. Although this programme was shorter in length, it offered no shortage of interesting moments and enriching content!
Panel - Sustainable Development in the Cultural Heritage and Information Field: the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO)
Kicking off proceedings was the Panel session, under the presidency of Meg PHILLIPS, External Affairs Liaison of the National Archives of Great Britain, on Sustainable Development in the Cultural Heritage and Information Field, with Fackson BANDA, head of unit of the Memory of the World program at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with Aparna TANDON of the International Centre for Conservation - Roma Center (ICCRom), with Emma NARDI of the International Council Of Museums (ICOM), with Vicki McDONALD of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), with Simon MUSASIZI of Climate Heritage Network and with Josée KIRPS, President of the International Council on Archives (ICA). What followed was an enlightening discussion on the current state of the Cultural Heritage and Information field, as well as a reflection on how the activities of international institutions, such as those represented,?have impacted the profession in recent years.
It’s important to make the argument as simply as possible, so people can understand that documentary heritage is in fact not something ‘out there’ that resides in old manuscripts, ancient manuscripts, but that actually it is there with us, and young people can appreciate it. Scholars can use it still in a way that is distillable, understandable, and so on, and so forth... (Fackson Banda)
This panel discussion provided an excellent chance for delegates to reflect upon the role that their own organisations play in the global cultural heritage?profession, as well as drawing their attention to the immediate future. The task of sustainable development affects all, while the duty of organisations to reach out across borders and organise positive action implicates archivists and records-keepers everywhere working within those bodies. This was therefore a fitting panel to begin the fourth and final day of the professional programme.?
We what observe today is that certain branches of the ICA are very active, because in certain regions of course this subject is more important than in others. I will cite Caribbean Regional Branch (CaRBICA), the Caribbean Regional Branch, which created an emergency network for Caribbean heritage, what we call CHEN, the Caribbean Heritage Emergency Network, which was created by this Branch, CARBICA, and has as?its goal, to connect institutions and people to have a support network in the case of an emergency intervention... (Josée Kirps)
Keynote Address: Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA)
The final Keynote Address of the Congress was delivered by none other than Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. Celebrated for a variety of academic, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial achievements, Sheikha Shamma spoke in her capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA).?
Business leader, social entrepreneur, and published author, Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is President and Chief Executive Officer of the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA), Founder of the Shamma bint Sultan Sustainability Initiatives social enterprise, Co-Founder of Aurora50 (A50) and Founder of Reset Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Sheikha Shamma holds a Master of Studies in Sustainability Leadership and a Master of Philosophy in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Cambridge, as well as a degree in Business Administration from Zayed University (ZU). She is a well-respected industry expert on sustainability, due to her business and academic endeavours in the field.
Sheikha Shamma serves as Chair of Alliances for Global Sustainability, as well as the Advisory Boards of Yale’s Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Pure Harvest and Bamboo Capital. She is the Honorary President of the Emirates Green Building Council, and a member of the UAE Circular Economy Council. She was awarded Inspirational Woman of the Year by the Arab Women’s Awards UAE in 2020, and the Academy of International Business in the Middle East and North Africa (AIBMENA) Windtower Award in 2021.
As head of the UICCA, Sheikha Shamma pledged to bring together members of the public and private sectors, including academic institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to advance the nation's commitment to net 0 consumption by 2050, with the IUCCA functioning, as such, as a non-partisan think tank, providing advice and recommendations to stakeholders on positive climate actions facilitating the transition to a green economy.
Sheikha Shamma serves as Chair of Alliances for Global Sustainability, as well as the Advisory Boards of Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Pure Harvest and Bamboo Capital Partners (CP). She is the Honorary President of the Emirates Green Building Council, and a member of the UAE Circular Economy Council. She was awarded Inspirational Woman of the Year by the Arab Women’s Awards UAE in 2020, and the Academy of International Business in the Middle East and North Africa (AIBMENA) Windtower Award in 2021.
In 2022, Sheikha Shamma was selected as the first woman from the Gulf Cooperation Council (??????? ??????? ?????? ?????? = GCC) to participate in the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellowship.
Widely recognised for her contributions to the sustainability and social responsibility sphere, Sheikha Shamma has been socially conscious from a very young age and has, for many years, taken an active role in community development by launching and engaging in programmes and initiatives that have a positive impact on communities in the UAE, and around the world.
Through the Shamma bint Sultan Sustainability Initiatives social enterprise, Sheikha Shamma continues her work in the field of sustainable development. This social enterprise is committed to collaborating with like-minded stakeholders, to further expand community, corporate and governmental efforts to transition the UAE and its surrounding region to a clean energy economy, through impact-driven initiatives, projects and education. One of the main focuses of the social enterprise is on sustainability and natural climate solutions, which encompasses mangroves and other nature-based solutions that make a difference to air quality and the health of the planet.
Sheikha Shamma’s business acumen is further demonstrated by her involvement in several other industries, including the prestigious Al Asayl Show Jumping team, and her work as a published children’s author. To date she has written four books. In addition, she is a regular columnist for The National newspaper, and has co-authored two articles published in Future Governments – Actions and Insights.
As an active and passionate researcher, Sheikha Shamma has presented academic papers at global conferences in the fields of gender studies, migration studies, sustainable development, knowledge transfer, consumer behaviour, Emiratisation and financial literacy. In 2019, she was invited to speak at the MENA chapter of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Jordan where she discussed policy development for sustainability in the Arab World. In November 2018, Sheikha Shamma was one of the judges on the sustainability panel at the Solar Decathlon in Dubai.
Recognition for Sheikha Shamma’s valuable work has resulted in her being awarded the position of Research Associate at the Institute for Social and Economic Research at Zayed University (ZU), and she sits on the Industry and Academic Advisory Board of the Academy of International Business MENA.
Sheikha Shamma cites her great-grandfather, the UAE’s founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (???? ?? ????? ?? ?????) (6 mai 1918-2 novembre 2004), as a source of inspiration and credits his vision as the reason why she places immense importance on sustainability, philanthropy, and female empowerment. Through her actions, Sheikha Shamma aspires to ensure that Sheikh Zayed’s legacy lives on and that his vision continues to create a positive impact globally.
During her address, Sheikha Shamma forcefully upheld the value of archives as a resource to be drawn upon in the collective efforts to understand and deal with climate change. This reminder encourages to remember that the past never loses relevance in face of the strange and new. Collective challenges require the mobilisation of innovation, solidarity, and knowledge (attributes that can be found in shared archival heritage and thus drawn upon to inspire decisive action today).?
To face the challenge of climate change, we must delve deep in the archives.
Closing Ceremony
Speech by Dr. Abdullah AL RAISI
Dr. Abdullah AL RAISI’s speech at the Closing Ceremony celebrated the achievements made during this Congress, including historic numbers for the event and a shared appreciation of the value drawn from it by our contributors, attendees, and organisers. Dr. Raisi’s speech also hinted to exciting news on the horizon for the ICA, for which members will want to keep an eye out!?
This week was a historic week for the International Council on Archives (ICA), and it should be. We should keep the momentum. Somebody told me “You raised the bar very high!” and that is how the ICA, and the ICA Congress, should be. Because the archives deserve that.
New Professionals Closing Remarks?
The ICA New Professionals Programme (NPP) took stock of another successful year, sharing the group’s work with delegates as well as initiating the callout for nominations for the next cohort. This programme has been an essential means by which the ICA has strengthened capacity in the archives and records-keeping sector, contributing to the training of the next generation of professionals to take our sector confidently into the future.?
Together they’ve worked on a project to explore the relationship between volunteers and archival professionals. And a key part of the Programme is their participation during the Congress and the opportunity to present their work and to meet the international community. (Nicola LAURENT, New Professionals Programme?Coordinator)
I feel extremely privileged to be here in Abu Dhabi at one of the biggest congregations of archivists and records managers from around the world. (Saman QURAISHI, ICA Active New Professional, 2022-2023 cohort)
Closing Remarks?by Carlos Serrano VASQUEZ
The Director of the ICA, Carlos Serrano VASQUEZ, gave some remarks at the Closing Ceremony, thanking the National Library and Archives (NLA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the representatives of the ICA’s sister organizations, their sponsors, Nirvana Travel and Tourism, the ICA Secretariat, Programme Commission (PCom) Members and the volunteers who all helped make this event happen. He also highlighted the diversity and inclusiveness of both the ICA and Congress.?
I would also like to highlight the number of young people present at our Congress but also in our organization. This new influx of knowledge and experiences forces us to rethink and renew our organization and allows us to continue to play the fundamental role that we have in the enrichment of knowledge societies. This intergenerational exchange becomes even more relevant for our mission today given that we are currently immersed in a society of rapid changes and transformations.
It is no exaggeration to say that ICA Congress Abu Dhabi 2023 has been an amazing success. They had the pleasure of hosting over 3300 attendees (including 300 scholarship holders) representing 140 countries from across the world, 60 exhibitors, 80 posters...?
None of this would have been possible without the dedicated work and support of community, staff and partners. They would like to thank the National Library and Archives (NLA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for being gracious and accommodating hosts, as well as the Abu Dhabi Congress Committee and the organisation team for their steadfast work, helping turn this event from vision into reality. Furthermore, the contributions of their sponsors (especially Ancestry, Family Search, and Artefactual) were critical in providing the resources needed to organise an event on this scale.?
Objective Barcelona 2025
It's just a goodbye, stay tuned for: Barcelona 2025 (October 28-30, 2025)!
Time moves faster than ever. Sometimes the best thing to do is stop so that we can connect with reality. Who are we? Where do we come from? Why do we do what we do? And above all, what defines us as a society? In order to answer these questions, we must look back and walk the path of those before us. Barcelona, eternal city. The setting where past, present and future unite. An evolution, that of the capital of Catalonia, which is mixed with the spirit of its welcoming people and which is projected into the future. A city connected to a rich and diverse territory. May the steps taken not fall into oblivion and last forever. From the most relevant historical events that our institutions have experienced to the day-to-day life of our citizens. Like an invisible thread that unites us and identifies us. For all that we still have to discover, you are the eyes of the generations to come. Are you ready for the challenge...? We are waiting for you in Barcelona: knowing pasts, creating futures.
Outing of the Day: Behind the Scenes Tour at Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL)
Cruel dilemma on this day, but quickly resolved: stroll through the Louvre Abu Dhabi or take advantage of a visit to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) to glimpse Dubai and its excess from above...
Not Just a Building
Built in the shape of a rehl, the traditional wooden book rest used to hold the Quran (????????), the library building overlooks Dubai Creek. The 7 story structure houses Dubai's most ambitious cultural initiative to-date, establishing a lighthouse of knowledge, culture and creativity with an objective to grow a collection by acquiring millions of books from around the world.
Founded by law no. 14 in 2016 during the national Year of Reading , the library is the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (???? ?? ???? ?? ?????). Supporting Dubai and UAE goals to develop a knowledge society, the creation of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) follows a number of important initiatives set in motion to promote and encourage reading, literacy and Arabic literature.
Launched in 2014 the library's primary goal is to stimulate a passion for knowledge among all those living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in particular among young people. They actively support and encourage reading, research, creativity and entrepreneurship by providing free access to an outstanding range of books and other knowledge resources, quality information services and their event calendar.
They play an important and increasing role in the preservation of Arabic literature, culture and heritage. They do this by ensuring public access to Arabic literary works, both modern and rare old texts, helping to encourage and support young Arabic writers and via their Arabic language publishing programme.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is comprised of 10 main library collections: The General Library, Young Adult Library, Children's Library, Information Centre, Map and Atlas Library, Media and Arts Library, Business Library, Emirates Library, Periodicals Library and a Special Collections Library. In addition to physical collections, the library provides access to a wide variety of ebooks and other digital media.
The audio book library is a fantastic resource for everyone and especially useful to the visually impaired or those with reading difficulties. In addition, they are developing a range of Braille books for the blind.
They are continually developing their collections, resources, programme and event calendar to be able to share more books, knowledge and information with the community.
The Languages Garden
Set against the backdrop of the Dubai Creek, the Languages Garden celebrates the wisdom of the library's founder His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Dubai. In the garden, we find 60 pillars displaying his quotes on leadership, government, nation building, learning and knowledge, translated into more than 170 modern and ancient world languages. Each pillar also shows the quotation in Arabic and English languages. We find seating so that we can relax and enjoy the view.
The Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is the library's outdoor space for live events. We find the Amphitheatre on the creek side of the library building next to the Languages Garden. During the cooler season, the Amphitheatre provides the perfect venue for intimate cultural, spoken word and music performances.
Services
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) uses the latest technology to help store, retrieve and disseminate information, guide visitors in their journey of discovery and tell the story of Dubai's own cultural journey from maritime trading post, to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city that it is today. Technologies employed by the library include artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), holograms, Radio Frequency Identification (RFId) and smart robotics.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is one of the most technologically advanced libraries in the world, harnessing some of the latest technologies across physical, digital and extended reality spaces :
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) offers many digital services to access before to visit, during the library visit or at any time via own digital devices. MBRL also offers a range of exclusive services for library members to help them make more progress with their reading, studying and use of library facilities, or simply to access more content.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is proud to offer the latest technologies in reprographic services, through a wide range of cutting-edge photocopy machines and scanners.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is one of the best supporting libraries for people of determination in terms of services and features, empowering visually impaired persons with Braille services as part the library's strategy to integrate these creative individuals into society.
The library also hosts a sensory pod offering a calming and relaxing space for children?and adults with autism or other special needs.
The library's Digitisation Lab scans and digitises books, maps, manuscripts and other written works in order to make them more readily accessible in digital formats, whilst protecting fragile works from damage due to handling or overuse. The lab is equipped with a variety of sophisticated scanners to ensure that to be able to scan a wide variety of book formats and sizes, including atlases and maps. Some of the scanners are specifically designed to scan rare and fragile publications or manuscripts, while other scanners are semi-robotic, allowing lengthy books to be scanned quickly and without causing damage. The Digitisation Lab's primary role is to help preserve antiquarian and rare works, by providing researchers, scholars and students with access to digital formats, thus preserving the original works for future generations.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) has lots of great places to read or study, whether doing school homework, academic studies, business research or simply looking for somewhere to read a good book. There are a wide variety of reading and study spaces throughout the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) building.
Each of libraries has spaces for reading, with some offering soft seating and some providing reading tables.
We find study spaces with desk or tables, power points and shared office equipment in the Business Library, the Emirates Library, the Maps and Atlases Library, the Periodicals Library and the Young Adult Library.
We are welcome to use shared Study Lounges on the Second Floor, which has seating for up to 48 people, including soft seating, chairs and study tables available on a first come, first served basis.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) also have 6 group Study Rooms on the building's Second Floor, with seating and tables for 8 people in each. These rooms can be booked in advance by members or used on a first-come, first served basis.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) have a variety of different seating and reading areas to suit all needs and personalities.
All study desks or tables have power points where we can charge a laptop or other electronic device. Multimedia projectors are available in each Study Room, while most libraries provide access to printers and photocopiers. Some spaces may also have computers and scanners available for public use.
Ground floor
Our purpose-built tiered-seating venue for inspiring lectures, professional conferences and unique live events The Theatre is a purpose-built event venue with a capacity for 550 attendees. The venue is equipped for lectures, conferences, debates and other live events organized by the library and is also available for booking by other organisations. Located on the Ground Floor of the library building, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) Theatre is accessible via the main entrance. The 1,160 m2 auditorium has its own lobby area, a reception room and is equipped with the latest audio-visual technology. The theatre provides for 500 standard seats, 38 seats for V.I.P.s and 14 wheelchair spaces for people of determination.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library's (MBRL) Information Centre is a reference room, holding a wide variety of dictionaries, encyclopaedias and other reference resources. Conveniently located near to the entrance on the Ground Floor, the Information Centre is on the same level as Children's Library, General Library and Periodicals Library. This is the library room where we will find all manner of facts and figures, from encyclopaedias and fact books, to dictionaries and thesauruses, including references for the Arabic language. The library also provides access to specialised databases and digital directories. Meanwhile, they are developing a collection of Braille books. The Information Centre has reading tables and other reading spaces.
Open to all, the General Library is one of the largest physical collections in the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) holding more than 100,000 books, both displayed on shelves and available via the library's AutoStore.?
The General Library is located on the Ground Floor, alongside the Children’s Library, the Periodicals Library and Mohammed bin Rashid Library's (MBRL) Information Centre. Here, we'll be able to browse some of its most popular books on languages, history, geography, philosophy, health, cooking, sports and personal development, plus Arabic and English language fiction and non-fiction.
We'll find the library a great place to borrow books to take home or just sit and read. Open reading areas with reading tables make it easy to explore books further, regardless of their size.
The Children's Library welcomes children of ages 5 to 11 and provides the possibility to explore and enjoy the world of knowledge. We'll find the library has a wide collection of books, atlases, magazines, comics, computer games and learning activities. Whether we are just discovering books for the first time, studying for school exams or searching for something new to read, we'll feel quite at home here.
We'll find the Children's Library on the Ground Floor of the library building on the same level as the Information Centre and the General Library. They believe that it's important for children of all ages to be able to access information, ideas and opinions from a wide range of sources, helping them to build confidence, develop good learning habits and an appetite for knowledge.
They aim to support the needs of children ages 5 to 11 and?have worked hard to assemble a beautiful collection of some 17,000 books. The wide variety of collections include story books, reference books, encyclopaedias, early learning books, board books for our youngest readers and a collection of pop-up books. We will also discover comics and magazines, online learning, book readings and in-house creative programmes. In addition, they are proud to offer a variety of collections for children of determination such as talking books, Braille books and sensory books, all in a setting of tepees, cabins, slides and other games.
领英推荐
The Periodicals Library offers academics, business professionals, students, researchers and the general public access to a wide variety of journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers and other periodicals in print and digital formats. It's a friendly, open area that makes it easy to source the information we need, whether looking for something specific or simply here to browse.
We'll find the Periodicals Library located on the Ground Floor, on the same level as the General Library and Information Centre. Here we'll be able to browse past and current periodicals from across the region, and around world in Arabic, English and other languages. Although no items may be checked out of this library, there is ample space to browse and read publications, with reading spaces and tables provided.
In addition to local and international news, business and consumer press, collection includes some specialised journals on subjects such as languages, literature, cinema,?science and technology, arts, history, geography and philosophy. Meanwhile, the library also holds magazines on popular subjects such as cars, entertainment, fashion, health, sport and technology. We will also be able to view some historical periodicals in Arabic, plus a few other current periodicals in other world languages.
Due to the fragile nature of some of older and rarer periodicals, there are also items stored in the Special Collections Library.
We will find the 2-storey Library Café located on Ground Floor of the building, to the left of the main entrance. Spread over more than 800 m2, the spacious 2-storey café offers all-day dining to suit most dietary requirements. The Library Café is a place to kick-back, eat, drink and meet with friends, whether to grab a quick coffee or tea, or whether to order a substantial meal. Since no food or drinks are allowed in library rooms or study areas, they aim to satisfy all needs for refreshment in this 2-storey café. We can order a wide variety of drinks, snacks and meals at the café, including healthy options, vegetarian meals and special meals for children. The ground floor of the café is light and airy with a high ceiling, whilst the upstairs space is more cosy and has a view of the gardens and Dubai Creek.
First Floor
The Young Adults Library aims to inspire to read more, providing with good books, great resources and the latest tools to help achieve goals. Whether looking for a new novel to read, resources to help studies, or simply new ideas, then this could turn out to be one of favourite places.
The Young Adults Library is located on the First Floor of the building, near to the Maps and Atlases Library, and the Media and Arts Library. Aimed at ages 12 to 17 years old and with nearly 12,000 titles in collection, they offer one of the most extensive collections?for young adults in the region. They believe that we'll find collection both useful and stimulating, which ranges from fantasy (Harry Potter...), science fiction and other novels, to biographies, books on art, culture, social sciences and sport. We can even browse impressive collection of comics, manga and graphic novels.
They understand that student life can be demanding and it's sometimes difficult for students to visit as often as they would like. For this reason, they aim to help make the most of time in the library, whilst also providing with a comprehensive suite of digital services that we can access any time.
The Maps and Atlases Library is one of the most comprehensive libraries of its kind in the region, with a growing collection of more than 2,600 printed maps and travel publications, manuscripts and digital media in a wide range of languages. Due to its visual appeal and varied collection, this library is sure to enthrall and entertain academic, professional and casual visitors alike.
We'll find the Maps and Atlases Library located on the First Floor of the building, next to the Young Adults Library and opposite the Media and Arts Library. Although no items are allowed to be checked out of this library, we are free to browse the main collection and remove maps and atlases from the shelves to view in the reading spaces provided.
Collection includes many different printed and digital formats, such as atlases and travel books, modern and classical travel narratives, large format folded and flat maps, digital copies of current and historical maps. We will also find a variety of modern travel guides from publishers such as Bradt Guides, Fodor's Travel, Frommer's, The Escapist, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides.
Due to the fragile nature of some of older and rarer maritime, celestial and terrestrial maps and atlases, there are also items stored in the Special Collections Library or on display in the Treasures of the Library exhibition on the Seventh Floor.
The Media and Arts Library is gateway to an outstanding collection of books, digital media and immersive media experiences. Whether studying the history of the arts, looking for guidance on creative techniques or seek inspiration for own creative works, we'll find that this library has much to offer.
Located on the First Floor opposite the Young Adults Library and the Maps and Atlases Library, the Media and Arts Library holds more than 24,000 physical, digital and multimedia works on art, architecture, design, fashion, music, performing arts and the written word. The library includes a series of collaborative areas with immersive work-benches, virtual reality (VR) applications, a Gaming Lounge, TV screens and work spaces to experience works from audio-visual collections.
The spacious library also provides a meeting place for arts activities and lectures, reading and writing groups, author events and signings, film screenings and even creative and musical?performances.
Due to the fragile nature of some of the?older and rarer works in collection, there are also items stored in the Special Collections Library or on display in the Treasures of the Library exhibition?on the Seventh Floor.
The Second Floor: Study Rooms
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library's (MBRL) Study Rooms are open for anyone to use for studying, reading or research. We'll find Study Rooms and shared Study Lounges on the Second Floor of the library building. The Study Lounges are communal areas, available for anyone to use, according to space available, while 6 Study Rooms can be reserved in advance for next study or reading group meeting. Each of Study Rooms has seating for 8 people. All Study Rooms are equipped with study tables, free Wi-Fi and power sockets for own electronic devices, while a shared photocopier and printer are available for use in the Study Lounges.
Study facilities are suitable for people with a mobility impairment, accessible via the library's elevators and able to accommodate wheelchairs where required.
The Fourth Floor: Conference and Meeting Rooms
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library's (MBRL) conference rooms are perfect for meetings, workshops or training sessions. The library has 12 conference rooms available for booking on the Fourth Floor of the building. The largest of conference rooms has seating for up to 20 people, while other smaller rooms have seating for up to 12 people. We'll find that all of conference rooms are equipped with Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens, multi-media projectors, webcams, technologies for virtual meetings, free Wi-Fi and power points for electronic devices.
The Fifth Floor: Private Collections Library
The Private Collections Library cares for old and out of print books and periodicals from around the world, in particular those from the first half of the XXth Century. Many of works are fragile, stored in special conditions and can only be viewed by visitors under the supervision of library staff.
Occupying the spaces at either end of the Fifth Floor of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) building, the Special Collections Library is a secure area and we will need to apply for permission to view collections in advance.
The Special Collections team consider all requests to view items in the collection based on goals, specific area of interest and items requested. Many of the items in this library are kept in restricted areas?and retrieved only for special viewings under the supervision of expert staff members.
Special Collections include old books and periodicals published before 1950, including a collection of early Arabic periodicals from the turn of the XXth Century. For example, the library holds a collection of periodicals on Arabic film, including publications from the Golden Age of Egyptian cinema.
This specialised library also holds a number of works from the collections of other libraries, such as older maps from the Maps and Atlases Library and some of the more fragile pop-up books from the Children's Library.
Collection of antiquarian books and periodicals continues to grow as they seek suitable acquisitions, donations and partnerships.
The Sixth Floor
The Business Library aims to provide knowledge and resources to business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and those studying business. Whether trying to grow own businesses, develop professionally or, perhaps, plan to launch own new venture, they have a wide variety of resources to help.?
We'll find the Business Library located on the Sixth Floor of the building opposite the Emirates Library. With a collection that includes some 34,000 business titles, plus ebooks and resources, they expect seasoned business professionals, early career-stage professionals and students all to benefit from this library. Browse shelves for books on business, commerce, economics, finance, key industries and communications.
Other than books, the Business Library also provides with selected electronic resources such as business databases, plus access to company information, directories and reports. The library will also host?talks from business leaders and entrepreneurs from time to time.
The Emirates Library shows the many dimensions of Emirati culture, from early civilisations that populated and traded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),?first steps in nation-building, through to today's leaders, innovators, creators, curators and historians, writers and the country's modern renaissance in art and culture.
The Emirates Library is opposite the Business Library on the Sixth Floor of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library (MBRL) building. They're working hard to build one of the most extensive collections of books published in, or written about, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and develop a wide range of programmes and events to play an active role in increasing knowledge and understanding of the country's culture and heritage.
Whether a researcher, historian or simply a traveler passing through Dubai, if we seek to find out more about the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we will find The Emirates Library most illuminating. Collection of 35,000 works holds a wide variety of books, documents, periodicals on everything from Emirati cuisine to local antiquities, literature, poetry, history, music, handicrafts, plus the flora and fauna of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Emirates library will host events, programmes and activities relating to Emirati culture and heritage. They aim to bring together local and foreign experts, researchers and champions from the cultural sector to curate, showcase and communicate history, heritage and culture.
Due to the fragile nature of some of older and rarer works in collection, there are also items stored in the Special Collections Library or on display in the permanent exhibition on the Seventh Floor.
The Seventh Floor: Treasures of the Library
The Treasures of the Library exhibition is located on the seventh floor. It displays an impressive collection of rare and old books, atlases, and manuscripts, some of which dating back to the XIIIth century. The collection includes unique copies of the Quran, early print editions of literary classics and Latin translations of scholarly works from the Islamic Golden Age.
Among the rare exhibits is the first edition of Atlas Maior of Blaeu, the crowning achievement of the famous XVIIth century Dutch cartographer Johannes BLAEU (September 23, 1596-May 26, 1673). The atlas contains about 600 individual maps and was published in 1662 in 11 volumes. Experts consider the Atlas Maior to be the richest and the most beautiful of all.
The exhibition also includes the first edition of Napoleon's Description de l'égypte ou Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en égypte pendant l'expédition de l'Armée fran?aise, publié par les ordres de Sa Majesté l’Empereur Napoléon le Grand (1809-1829), an encyclopedic record of Egyptian antiquities, natural History and Nation-state in the eighteenth century, with maps. It was co-produced by a team of hundreds of artists, scholars, critics, and other professionals during Napoleon BONAPARTE's (August 15, 1769-May 5, 1821) military campaign in Egypt from Floréal 30, an VI (May 19, 1798) to Fructidor 13, an IX (August 31, 1801). It was published in 34 volumes. Description de l'égypte is considered one of the greatest achievements of French publishing, and a valuable historical record of Egypt in the eighteenth century.
Description de l'égypte was the first scientific study of the whole of Egypt and the largest printed work ever produced at the time, being a series of publications and a collaborative work, approximately 150 academics and scientists accompanying Napoleon BONAPARTE's expedition to Egypt participating in it. Numerous illustrations represent Egypt from ancient times to contemporary scenes, also containing stories on various subjects (language, agriculture, music and natural history...). To complete the richness and diversity of its content, a monumental working group of more than 2000 artists and engravers took up the challenge, the original edition of the publication being housed in an exceptional mahogany cabinet (one of 6 copies known), the design of the furniture was inspired by the works of a famous Parisian cabinetmaker of the XIXth century, Charles MOREL.
The exhibition also features the first editions of the Arab and world cultures, scarce Arabic periodicals from the Arab world and the diaspora, and a fine collection of autographs by world personalities.
The Treasures of the Library exhibition also includes traditional tools for calligraphy, bookbinding, axes, etc.
Calligrapher's knives used for cutting, shaping and maintaining bamboo and reed styluses. Blade generally made of double-fired steel, with decorated or plain handles, often garnished with jade, coral, ivory, horn, stone and rosewood, the final cut of the stylus nib being made against a board to cut, called maqta.
A selection of long-bladed scissors, called makas, used for cutting thin paper. Made of brass, steel and iron with some surfaces inlaid or covered with gold or other metal, several handles molded in the shape of 2 opposing inscriptions reading "The Great Judge" (???????????), one of 99 names of Allah (????).
A richly decorated pen case designed to hold pen and ink, these pen cases being highly symbolic objects used in the distribution of ranks and being generally given to principal court officials, particularly viziers (????). Pronounced gold body encrusted with precious stones (diamonds, rubies and emeralds...). Prominent architectonic inkwell with a ribbed dome in the shape of a lotus bud recalling the architecture of the Deccan Sultanate, the underside of the inkwell being decorated with a sacred bird identified as a hamsa (???), a mythical aquatic bird often identified with the Wisdom and the Supreme Spirit. Inkwell attached to 2 polygonal pen holders, each with removable end.
1. Walrus ivory pen case with inkwell (divit), Ottoman, Turkey, XVIIIth-XIXth century: elongated pen holder with attached inkwell, designed to hold pen and ink while traveling, usually carried over or under a belt ; Bomb-shaped inkwell with hinged silver lid set with precious stones; engraved silver fasteners at each end of the body, with openwork silver fleuron at the head.
2. Pencil case with inkwell (divit), Mughal, India, XVIIIth-XIXth century: with 2 polygonal pen holders, each with removable ends; inkwell with domed lid, decorated with tessellated enamel diamonds inlaid into the metal body.
3. Pen box, Safavid, probably Iran, XVIIth century: iron body decorated with golden scenes of fauna and flora; hinged cover inscribed with a famous Arabic quatrain (rouba'yiàt) in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (?????????) (c. 570-c. 632), composed by the Persian poet Saadi (????) (c. 1210-December 9, 1292), inscription in Nastaliq script (???????):
He reached the supreme degree by his perfection, And he made the darkness disappear by his beauty, All his qualities were sublime, Pray for him and for his family (Golestan = ?????? = The Rose Garden, 1258)
4. Pen box, Safavid, probably Iran, XVIIth century: iron body decorated with gilding; hinged and chamfered lid decorated with scrolled fruits; biomorphic rosette patterns repeated on the body.
Made from reed for small to medium writing, bamboo for medium to large writing, and wood for large to extra-large writing. Visible slits in the nib provide a reservoir enabling ink to be drawn into the pen. This increases the smoothness of writing, as individual strokes can be completed without needing to dip the pen into the inkwell mid-stroke.
1. Stone inkwell. Elongated body with small slots, possibly to hold pens. Cylindrical ink pot on one end with raised rim and circular opening.
2. Inkwell, glass. Hexagonal body with raised rim and circular opening. Body with deep blue-green hue.
Composed of an interior chamber to store pens. All with sliding compartments and rounded ends with the exception of object 4, which has square terminals and a hinged opening. Cases decorated with a rich variety of subject matter common to later Persian art, including floral and vegetal imagery (4 & 7), cityscapes (6). Commonalities with European painting evident in the use of shadowing and perspective.
Today's world would be very different without the impact of Islamic civilisation on Western science, mathematics, and medicine. With the spread of Islam, Muslim scholars came into contact with a rich and diverse heritage of Greek philosophical and scientific texts. Many of these works were translated into Arabic, studied, and enhanced, making Arabic the most important scientific and intellectual language in the world. This process of translation also preserved knowledge that might otherwise have been lost forever. Aside from translation, Muslim scholars also made numerous and significant contributions that advanced the fields of mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, engineering, and medicine, far exceeding anything known in Europe at the time. From the eleventh century, in tandem with the Crusades and a nascent cultural and economical revival in the West, European scholars began to translate Muslim scientific texts into Latin, and transmitted printed copies to the scholarly capitals of Europe. By the XVIth century, the growing market for translations of newly discovered works in Arabic was also accompanied by an interest in the philological pursuit of Arabic, which offered a path for Europeans to reconnect with Eastern Christian communities and trade in the Muslim world, and develop a deeper understanding of Arabic knowledge, language and culture. The printed books on display here, many of which were produced using sophisticated Arabic moveable type, illustrate the breadth and depth of European scholarship that was transformed through engagement with the Muslim world, encompassing a broad range of translated scientific treatises, medical compendia, and Arabic grammars.
Hermann SCHLEGEL (June 10, 1804-January 17, 1884), German ornithologist, discusses the history of falconry, hunting terminology, and descriptions of the equipment needed, with this treatise often described as "the finest work on falconry ever produced" and being profusely illustrated with life-size illustrations of the birds and describing the different species of falcons found across Europe.
Literature has the power to broaden vision of the world and strengthen mind. It is a significant expression of humanity, telling stories of the past, human nature, symbolic meanings and a way to connect with ourselves. The collection on display at MBRL is dotted with precious pieces of history and an assembly of the world’s finest literary works. Many of these works are first edition which would have been how the public experienced them at the time of their release. Even though each author produces a unique craft of work, they are united by their shared love for storytelling.
This magnificent jeweled binding was made by Francis SANGORSKI (1875-1912) and George SUTCLIFFE (1878-1943) in London, renowned for the use of precious stones to decorate their bindings, the covers of this binding in crushed teal morocco with ivory morocco linings containing 176 semi-precious stones. Isabella's name, written in 64 turquoise on a gold dotted background, surrounded by an ornate red morocco bow, appears in the center of the top cover, the volume being signed by Sangorski & Sutcliffe with the registration number "579106".
This beautiful binding is bound in turquoise leather with 3 oval panels placed on the top and bottom covers each containing a different fish formed from molded leather, the background of each oval panel being painted in watercolor of river scenes. The covers are worked in gilding creating a pond with water, with reeds and with sheaves of leaves, the binding being by Rivière and Son, founded in 1881.
Since the dawn of history, societies have turned to religious practices for moral guidance and to find a sense of solitude. Almost every religion is accompanied by oral and literary traditions that discuss ritual practices, laws and ethical conducts. The commandments and stories behind each one of them help to create and foster communities, equipping them with the knowledge to pass it down to the next generation. The preservation and publication of the religious texts on display are a testament to humanity’s quest for meaning, virtue and striving for the greater good. The collection contains some of the world’s first attempts of translating religious texts into different languages, intended to provide readers a better understanding of religious traditions around them.
Naskh writing (???) with polychrome panels. Surah titles in golden thuluth (??????) and floral panels. This Quran (????????) in Persian style shows a strong connection with the Safavid court (December 22, 1501-March 1736) (??????), many Persian calligraphers were employed by the Qutb Shahi rulers at Golkonda in the XVIth and XVIIth centuries, the essence truly Golkondian of the manuscript found in the color tones of the illumination constellating not only the opening bifolio, but also the rest of the pages.
Civilizations have long recognized the importance of maps throughout history. Maps are a vital source for learning about geography and essential tools to locate points of interests. Examples from antiquity were small in size and pictorial in nature. They were often crude and the maker only showed features they wished to record. Although earlier world maps, such as the Ptolemaic map, were known to the classical world in the IInd century A.D, the field of cartography became widely popular in the late Middle Ages. Not only was beauty in mind when making them but map makers strove for an unprecedented level of accuracy. The growth of publishing houses, expeditions across the seas and society’s thirst for knowledge played a role in shaping the way maps were made. The collection of maps at the MBRL is exceptional as it provides a window into how people of the past viewed their world.
The most magnificent contribution of European book publishing to XVIth-century science was undoubtedly the Astronomicum Caesareum of Petrus APIANUS (April 16, 1495-April 21, 1552), the volume, designed for Charles V (February 24, 1500-September 21, 1558) and for his brother Ferdinand I (March 10, 1503-July 25, 1564), being in every way an opulent princely production. The pages are large, meticulously hand-colored and filled with inventive mechanisms, sometimes with 5 or even 6 layers of paper discs, arranged to give the planetary positions, as well as a variety of calendars and astrological data, being created and printed by Petrus APIANUS in his own press in Ingolstadt. Apianus was a German humanist and one of the greatest mathematicians, astronomers and cartographers of the XVIth century. The volume is composed of 36 woodcut astronomy figures and is notable for the inclusion of 83 complex volvelles or richly decorated slide charts with movable parts allowing users to calculate the dates and positions of the constellations, Apianus introducing the names of Arabic stars in his charts and knowing the work of Abd al-Rahman al-Soufi (????????? ??????) (December 7, 903-May 25, 986), the Persian astronomer, giving a detailed account and illustrated the constellations in his Book of Fixed Stars (???? ??? ???????) written in 964.
One of Japan's largest illustrated books, depicting the famous landmarks of Tokyo (東京) before 1868, then known as the Edo period (江戸時代, 1603-1868), the work representing a collective effort of 3 generations of the Saitō family with more than 600 illustrations and descriptions on wood to complete them.
Islamic civilisation is characterised by an all-embracing attitude to knowledge. Indeed, the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, or ‘ilm, was pursued not only for the sake of personal intellectual growth, but was also seen an essential part of the Islamic faith. It is for this reason that the quality, scale, and beauty of manuscript production in the Islamic world was unparalleled during its time, forming one of the great intellectual and artistic patrimonies of mankind. The collection on display here has been deliberately chosen in order to illustrate the high standards of knowledge and art that were achieved during this immense period, comprising works on a diverse range of subjects including Islamic law, mysticism, poetry, history, medicine, and science.
Single page painting, outdoor teaching scene. Central religious figure seated on the ground, writing on his knees, lecturing an Indian princess and her servants. Gold floral and foliate border.