Jeddah: The 28th annual conference and exhibition of the Special Libraries Association-Arabian Gulf Chapter, organized in cooperation with the Libraries Commission of the Ministry of Culture, will kick off tomorrow in Jeddah. The event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel until September 18, and is themed 'Towards the sustainability of knowledge and the preservation of culture and heritage: Managing rare documents, manuscripts and heritage materials in the era of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.'
According to Saudi Press Agency, the conference brings together international, Arab, Gulf, and local figures, as well as specialists and practitioners in library and information sciences. More than 70 scientific papers will be presented and published in the conference proceedings, exploring the latest applications of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in preserving heritage and advancing the services of knowledge institutions.
The program includes specialized workshops, an exhibition on information systems and modern technologies, and a cultural segment featuring a tour of Historic Jeddah and performances of traditional arts, highlighting the Kingdom's role in showcasing cultural authenticity and promoting its global status.
Conference discussions will focus on harnessing smart technologies to improve the efficiency of knowledge institutions and services, developing technical operations, and promoting sustainability initiatives. They will also address governance and national and international policies on protecting archives and manuscripts in the digital era, intellectual property rights, and privacy, in addition to setting standards to ensure open and sustainable access to heritage information.
The conference serves as a scientific and professional platform for knowledge exchange, anticipating the future of libraries and information institutions, and emphasizing the role of advanced technologies in meeting challenges, ensuring knowledge sustainability, and safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations.