Two Qatar National Library (QNL) staff members, Abeer al-Kuwari and Amal al-Shammari, have been selected to participate in the International Network of Emerging Library Innovators - Middle East & North Africa (Ineli-Mena) two-year programme.
While al-Kuwari is in charge of QNL branches affairs, al-Shammari is QNL’s information services librarian in the children’s section.
The selection was announced during the annual Arab Federation for Libraries & Information (AFLI) conference, held recently in Amman, Jordan. AFLI is the Arabic counterpart of the Global Libraries initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that works to support the transformation of libraries as engines of development.
The competitive two-year programme is designed to support leaders of the future who can effectively represent the public library sector throughout the region. The main objective is to improve professional and leadership skills of selected candidates contributing to the level of services in public libraries throughout the region while promoting co-operation among them.
“QNL is delighted with the selection of two valuable staff members to represent the regional library sector. Focusing on enhancing leadership, innovation and creativity skills, the programme supports our commitment to developing the potential of our staff and the wider community we serve,” said Saadi al-Said, QNL’s director of administration and planning.
The Ineli-Mena programme training modules will cover a range of key topics beneficial to the improvement of regional public libraries, including effective team-building, risk management and library advocacy.
“I am thrilled and honoured that I have been chosen to participate in Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Ineli-Mena, which is one of the world’s leading programmes in developing public libraries worldwide,” said al-Kuwari.
“I will do my best to gain knowledge and benefit from the Ineli-Mena programme to be able to enhance the role of Qatar’s public libraries and thus contributing to Qatar National Vision 2030,” noted al-Shammari.

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