Sultan grants Dh4m to enrich Sharjah's libraries

Sharjah - Dr Shaikh Sultan ordered the Dh4 million grant to public libraries so they could purchase the latest publications from the Sharjah Book Fair

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has ordered a Dh4 million grant for public libraries in Sharjah to enable them to purchase the latest publications from the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).
Dr Shaikh Sultan issued directives to use the grant amount for the purchase of publications in different languages to enrich the public libraries in the emirate.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), praised the Ruler of Sharjah and said the grant will enable Sharjah libraries to attain the latest titles and books from the 1,681 publishing houses from 60 countries taking part at the SIBF 2016.
Al Ameri stressed that Dr Shaikh Sultan's support for the SIBF has contributed to its great success, pointing out that the book fair has established itself as the world's third largest in the field of purchasing and selling copyrights. He added that the grant will motivate many publishers to continue their quest to enrich human culture and will work towards providing a better understanding between civilisations.
"His support for the SIBF highlights the fact that no progress can be made without supporting children's development," he said.
Intellectuals, authors and publishers at the SIBF have highly praised Shaikh Sultan's initiative to support the emirate's libraries and cultural centres with books and publications.
The publishers said that this initiative will help their business flourish and foster people's love for books.
Al Shaikh Aoudad, a publisher at the SIBF, said that this initiative will make them sell as much as they can to local libraries. "We don't have to worry about the turnout of visitors to buy books, as we would be able to leave this edition without loss."
Nour Al Hudah, another publisher, said that he hoped the grant would be equally beneficial to all the publishers of various languages.
- afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

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