Baghdad: Sharjah Libraries will bring together researchers, specialists, and Arab information institutions on September 14 and 15, 2026, for the 26th Sharjah Library Literature Award, held as part of the 5th Sharjah Library Literature Forum. The forum will discuss the transformations taking place in the library sector and the requirements of the “Library 4.0” era, which demands more proactive leadership models capable of anticipating change, utilizing data and modern technologies, and building flexible and innovative institutions that respond to the needs of their communities.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the forum, held at the Sharjah Book Authority headquarters, will explore how libraries can leverage data and modern technologies within a clear leadership vision, translating these capabilities into decisions, services, and practices that enhance their knowledge and societal role.
The forum’s program includes panel discussions addressing three interconnected dimensions of smart leadership: strategic planning, community, trust, and sustainable partnership, and institutional readiness and crisis management. In addition, award winners will present their research, experiences, and practices to the participants.
Sharjah Libraries will also honor the winners of the award in three categories during the forum, with a total prize pool of AED 85,000. These categories include research, “Best Arab Library or Information Institution,” and “Best Project and Practice in the Field of Specialization.”
Iman Bushlaibi, Director of the Libraries Department, stated, “The future of libraries is now linked to their ability to know where they want to go and how to utilize their knowledge, data, and technologies to get there. True transformation begins with leadership; with the ability to anticipate change, make decisions, empower teams, and translate new capabilities into tangible value for the reader and the community.”
The forum’s program translates the theme of “Smart Leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” into discussions and practical experiences through sessions that explore the role of leadership in planning and decision-making, building deeper and more sustainable relationships with the community, and enhancing institutional readiness and the ability of libraries to respond to crises and changes.
The award includes three categories; The research category, with a total prize value of 45,000 dirhams, is distributed as follows: 20,000 dirhams for first place, 15,000 dirhams for second place, and 10,000 dirhams for third place. In addition, there are two categories: “Best Arab Library or Information Institution” (20,000 dirhams) and “Best Project and Practice in the Field of Specialization” (20,000 dirhams).