EMIRATES LIBRARY & INFORMATION ASSOCIATIONA national association in the United Arab Emirates of public benefit
Achieving effective scientific communication, developing concepts and services related to libraries and information, and providing professional consultation to advance institutions across the UAE.
2,847+
Active Members
48+
Annual Events
320+
Publications
95+
Partner Institutes
20+
Years Professional
Fahad Ali Al Memari
Chairman, ELIA — Emirates Library & Information Association
Message from the Chairman
“Libraries are the cornerstone of a knowledge-based society. ELIA's mission is to unite information professionals across our seven Emirates — preserving our rich heritage while pioneering the digital transformation that befits the ambitions of our great nation. Together, we build the knowledge infrastructure that will serve generations to come.”
Fahad Ali Al Memari
Chairman, ELIA — Emirates Library & Information Association
Our Strategic Pillars
A chronicle of our commitment to the advancement of information science within the UAE.
Scientific Communication
Cultivating active scientific communication between the association and those interested in intellectual growth.
Modern Library Concepts
Developing modern services and methodologies related to the library and information field.
Professional Consultation
Providing scientific advice to advance professional business and practical practices across the Emirates.
Our Publications
FEATUREDThe Playful Library: Building Environments for Learning and Creativity
This ELIA publication explores how library teams can transform reading rooms, makerspaces, and children sections into adaptable environments that invite discovery while maintaining service quality.
ARCHIVEThe Rise of AI: Implications and Applications in Academic Libraries
A complete professional overview of AI use cases in academic libraries, including policy controls, user education, metadata workflows, and staff readiness.
ARCHIVEResponding to Rapid Change in Libraries: A User Experience Approach
A concise publication for library leaders who need to evaluate changing patron needs and redesign digital and physical services around evidence.
ARCHIVESustainable Thinking for Library Leadership
A digital ELIA guide for directors and managers aligning library services with environmental, social, and financial sustainability.
ARCHIVEArabic Metadata Toolkit for Public Collections
A toolkit covering authority records, transliteration decisions, subject terms, and practical workflows for UAE collection teams.
ARCHIVESchool Library Innovation Playbook
This book gives school librarians ready-to-run program formats, space planning prompts, and evaluation checklists.
ARCHIVEDigital Preservation Policy Template
A paid digital template with implementation notes for archives starting or refreshing a preservation program.
ARCHIVEPublic Library Service Standards in the UAE
A physical ELIA reference for municipal and public libraries aligning service benchmarks across the seven emirates.
National Participations
Discover ELIA's latest initiatives, achievements, and national programs across the UAE.
NATIONAL INITIATIVEFEATURED05 Sep 2026 - 15 Oct 2026
National Library Awareness Campaign
A public awareness campaign promoting library access, membership, and knowledge services for families and students.
Read More
PROJECT LAUNCHFEATUREDApril 2026
UAE Reading Month 2026
Nationwide reading programs coordinated across all seven emirates.
Read More
INTERNATIONAL EVENTFEATUREDMarch 2026
Digital Manuscripts Preservation Project
Federal digitization program for rare historical manuscripts.
Read More
NATIONAL INITIATIVEFEATUREDFebruary 2026
GCC Library Cooperation Forum
Regional forum for library directors and information specialists.
Read More
PROJECT LAUNCHFEATUREDJan 2024 - Present
National Digital Archive Initiative
A comprehensive program to digitize and preserve rare Arabic manuscripts.
Read More
INTERNATIONAL EVENTFEATUREDMar 2024 - Present
Library Professional Certification Program
A unified professional certification framework for practitioners.
Read MoreNATIONAL INITIATIVEFEATURED
PROJECT LAUNCHFEATUREDJuly 2026
UAE Library Statistics Observatory
A data observatory tracking library services and impact.
Read More
INTERNATIONAL EVENTFEATUREDAugust 2026
Children Reading Passport
A gamified reading challenge for children and families.
Read MorePrograms & Services
Supporting library and information institutions with professional consultancy, training, research grants, and digital innovation across the UAE.
Professional Certification
Internationally recognized credentials for library and information science practitioners across the UAE.
Training & Workshops
Continuous professional development programs, CPD-accredited workshops, and specialized seminars.
Research Grants
Funding and support for research initiatives in information science and digital preservation.
Upcoming Events & Training
Training and skills development for library and information sector staff.
CONFERENCE COUNTDOWN
12
DAYS
21
HOURS
03
MINUTES
54
SECONDS
Featured Publications
Explore peer-reviewed research, academic toolkits, digital collection reports, and federal library publications.
PhysicalMegan Lotts · 184 pages
The Playful Library: Building Environments for Learning and CreativityThis ELIA publication explores how library teams can transform reading rooms, makerspaces, and children sections into adaptable environments that invite discovery while maintaining service quality.
PhysicalSandy Hervieux and Amanda Wheatley · 220 pages
The Rise of AI: Implications and Applications in Academic LibrariesA complete professional overview of AI use cases in academic libraries, including policy controls, user education, metadata workflows, and staff readiness.
DigitalCallan Bignoli and Lauren Stara · 96 pages
Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries: A User Experience ApproachA concise publication for library leaders who need to evaluate changing patron needs and redesign digital and physical services around evidence.
DigitalRebekkah Smith Aldrich · 112 pages
Sustainable Thinking for Library LeadershipA digital ELIA guide for directors and managers aligning library services with environmental, social, and financial sustainability.
DigitalELIA Cataloging Committee · 72 pages
Arabic Metadata Toolkit for Public CollectionsA toolkit covering authority records, transliteration decisions, subject terms, and practical workflows for UAE collection teams.
PhysicalELIA Youth Reading Lab · 148 pages
School Library Innovation PlaybookThis book gives school librarians ready-to-run program formats, space planning prompts, and evaluation checklists.
DigitalELIA Digital Preservation Group · 44 pages
Digital Preservation Policy TemplateA paid digital template with implementation notes for archives starting or refreshing a preservation program.
PhysicalELIA Standards Office · 204 pages
Public Library Service Standards in the UAEA physical ELIA reference for municipal and public libraries aligning service benchmarks across the seven emirates.
2026-05-30 · Dr. Saeed Al Neyadi
Digital Patron Services in Post-Modern Libraries
Exploring the evolutions of patron services in the digital age and the role of physical archives in community building.
2026-05-18 · Fatima Al Mansouri
Preservation of Ancient Arabic Manuscripts: Algorithms & AI
A strategic discussion on the intersection of ancient manuscript preservation and modern algorithmic sorting and text restoration.
Peer-Reviewed Research
Metadata Frameworks for Arabic Manuscripts
Dr. Saeed Al Neyadi
A comprehensive study of metadata standards applied to the cataloging of historical Arabic manuscripts in UAE archives.
GOLDAI-Assisted Preservation Techniques
Fatima Al Mansouri
Exploring machine-learning approaches to text restoration and degradation analysis in rare collections.
PLATINUMThe Future of National Knowledge Economies
Dr. Hassan Al Marzouqi
A policy-oriented analysis of libraries as strategic pillars of the knowledge economy in the GCC.
From Our Media Hub
Stay connected with ELIA and explore our latest updates, highlights, images, and videos from X and Instagram.
LAST SYNCED: 10 JUL 2026, 12:00 PM
Emirates Library & Information Association
@eliauae
Highlights from ELIA Day 2: conversations on library innovation, digital preservation, and stronger professional networks across the UAE.
ELIA UAE
@elia.uae
10 JUL 2026, 12:00 PM
Inside ELIA Day 2: media moments, member conversations, and the energy of the UAE library community.
Humanizing Knowledge
We believe knowledge is most powerful when it connects people. ELIA places the human experience at the heart of every archive, every catalog, and every reading room.
SILVER MEMBER PATHWAY
Designed for students and emerging professionals, with directory access, newsletters, community forums, publication discounts, and selected digital-library access.
Silver Tier
Students & Emerging Professionals
Visit Our Headquarters
Located in the heart of Sharjah's cultural district, ELIA's headquarters is open to all members and visitors.
ELIA Headquarters
Sharjah Cultural Square, Al Mareija, Sharjah, UAE
Get in Touch
Partners & Alliances
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ELIA membership, events, certifications, and more.
Join the UAE Library Community
Access professional certification, training programs, research tools, and a network of library professionals across all seven Emirates.