Over the course of its 98 years, Sharjah Public Library has remained an anchor of consistency in an ocean of change. As the country and world around it have altered, the institution has set out its stall as a safe harbour for those seeking new knowledge.
However, as the post-pandemic world increasingly grapples with the roles that digital and physical spaces will play in the institutions of the future, SPL director Eman Bushulaibi says it’s a delicate balancing act.
“Since the pandemic, people have shied away from our online programming a little, because they all really missed going to the library – but they do still ask about it,” she says.
“Even with the kinds of immersive experiences available today – now that we have augmented reality, and all the new AI applications emerging – there’s no substitute for the physical space. I think it’s both part of being human, and also a case of perception.”
As people deal with increasing volumes of online information at home, she says the library – which today operates six branches under the Sharjah Public Libraries umbrella – aims to create a safe space and equip learners with the tools and critical thinking to verify and assess that information.
“I believe that's not only our job as a public library, but even the community itself has a responsibility towards what they share. For example, when you use your social media or WhatsApp, or any kind of communication medium, you have to be very sure about what you're using.”
During the first lockdown in 2020, SPL opened up its online resources to the public – granting the entire world access to 21,000 scientific studies, 30,000 videos, 160,000 e-books and five million academic titles, alongside a collection of manuscripts, rare books and audiobooks, collectively available in 33 languages.
This digital transition led to a 70 per cent increase in the library’s registered membership, with users representing more than 50 nationalities.
The library counts among its online services access to the Arab research database Dar Almandumah, the educational portal Edu and Sharjah’s own Al Manhal search platform.
Aside from the British Library’s Arabic and Islamic resources, members can also access streaming services such as Kanopy. The library’s database includes a lengthy list of Arabic periodicals starting from 1924, as well as more than 1,000 African manuscripts dating back to 1834, and 1,238 documents relating to Middle East history.
Ms Bushulaibi says engagement has been boosted by a falling away of the historic reluctance to engage with online resources. “People have realised that online resources are just another tool – they’re not something that will remove from your experience, or reduce the benefit, so it has become more accepted.”
However, as society has opened up again, most visitors embraced the opportunity to visit libraries in person, she adds.
Although many people missed the “human connection” of the physical library, she says both spaces are working towards the same outcome. “Even people who rely on our digital resources come into the library, because that allows them to access all the people we have – our employees, the librarians and the IT teams – we really have a lot of resources.”
Examples of these are an adults hall, with a recording studio and 3D printing services, as well as a children’s section, equipped with VR technology, an immersive multimedia room and almost 75,000 educational resources in 14 languages. Meanwhile, the youth hall offers young adults photography lessons and the use of a professional recording studio.
Regardless of technological developments, the central role of the library in society remains very much the same: a “pillar of society and a beacon of progress”. Ms Bushulaibi explains: “The library as an institution of knowledge gaining and exchange will always remain relevant.
“These two elements of literacy and education have come together to support sustainable civilisational progress for hundreds of years.”
Ms Bushulaibi adds: “When we walk into a city for the first time, and pass by its library, we immediately know that its leadership and its people care about educating themselves and offering a communal space for learning, sharing ideas and hosting cultural exchange.”
This is certainly true of Sharjah, which was named Unesco World Book Capital 2019, and maintains a strong commitment to advancing literacy and the humanities – not just through events like the Sharjah Book Fair and Children's Reading Festival, but even by attending events such as the Seoul International Book Fair and supporting institutions abroad, such as the Gibran Museum in Lebanon.
Throughout its long history, SPL, which is the UAE’s oldest library, has served as an extension of the emirate’s deep-seated appreciation and support for literature. Although the library in its present form was inaugurated in 2011 by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, its roots go back much farther.
Sharjah’s original library was founded as a private space in 1925 by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi at Al Hisn – Sharjah Fort. Ms Bushulaibi says the move was visionary for a time when access to information and literature were very limited in the region. That vision is something, she adds, that has been passed down from one generation to the next.
Originally named Al Qasimia Library, in 1956 Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi moved it from Al Hisn to a new site on Al Hisn Square. It was later passed down to Sheikh Khalid bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and finally to Sheikh Dr Sultan himself, who in 1980 relocated it to the upper floor of Sharjah’s Africa Hall, under the name Sharjah Library.
From there, it travelled to the Cultural Centre and University City before being granted its current space in May 2011, with a new building on Cultural Square – now called Sharjah Public Library – with five more branches serving communities across the emirate.
While much has changed over the years, Ms Bushulaibi says “the community’s love for the institution has remained the same across generations”.
“The other thing that has remained unchanged is Sharjah’s passion for being a treasure house of knowledge and its innovative approach to learning and community building.”
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
HAJJAN
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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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