Five reasons why we still need libraries in the digital age

Five reasons why we still need libraries in the digital age

Gulf Today, As technology continues to permeate every aspect of our life, leading to dramatic changes in the way we access and consume information - 24/7 on our fingertips, an oft-raised question concerns the relevance of libraries in today’s information age. Why do libraries still exist, and can they continue to advance humankind with knowledge and inspiration as in the past? From the time of the earliest libraries in ancient Babylonia and Sumer, libraries have served as invaluable r In the UAE, the concept of a library first took root in 1925 when Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the then ruler of Sharjah (1924 - 1951) opened a private library in Al Hisn—Sharjah Fort. This private library, which has since evolved to become the Sharjah Public Library, is today nearly a century old and ready to embark on its second centennial. With six branches spread across the emirate to service the communities in every part of Sharjah, SPL stands as a testament to the enduring need of society members to explore knowledge, information, and culture through its vast and ever-expanding resources. Libraries are a repository of learning and innovative enhancement. Apart from its nearly 97-year history, what makes the