SLA / Arabian Gulf Chapter

About 28th Annual Conference

SLA / Arabian Gulf Chapter > About 28th Annual Conference
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
28th-banner-en-1

Introduction:

Emerging technologies, most notably artificial intelligence, are witnessing a change in the paths by which we access information and documents and use, and direct them in the operations and services of libraries, information institutions, and heritage preservation. This is to improve a wide range of operations and services, from collection development, knowledge extraction and reference assistance as well as users engagement to ensuring the sustainability of knowledge and the preservation of culture and human heritage, local, national and global.

The 28th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Special Libraries Association – Arabian Gulf Chapter (SLA-AGC28), in collaboration with the Saudi Library Commission, is a leading platform to explore the promising potentials and benefits of emerging technologies and smart systems in the field of libraries, information institutions and heritage preservation. This conference aims to bring together specialists in these fields, experts and practitioners; to exchange ideas and share experiences, and develop future visions for the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing and developing the services of libraries, information institutions and heritage preservation.

We look forward to this conference being an opportunity to explore the intersections between artificial intelligence, information institutions, and heritage preservation, and to highlight the latest trends and developments in how these advanced technologies impact the roles and operations of these institutions. It will also explore how these institutions respond to modern technical challenges to enhance their support for their communities, and ensure the sustainability of knowledge and heritage preservation.

Conference Main Themes:

1. Employing smart technologies to improve the efficiency of knowledge institutions' operations and develop their services:

  • Using Blockchains in managing manuscripts and heritage materials.

  • Using Internet of Things technology to manage manuscripts and heritage materials.

  • Using Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Metaverse technologies in knowledge institutions.

  • Applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in managing manuscripts and rare documents, and analyzing historical texts.

  • The role of artificial intelligence in preserving cultural heritage and managing records and archives.

  • Emerging and smart technologies in managing museum materials.

  • Emerging and smart technologies in managing special collections in libraries.

  • Emerging and smart technologies and heritage exhibitions.

  • Smart systems in managing archives.

2. Developing technical processes and services in knowledge institutions:

  • Organizing and cataloging heritage materials.

  • Providing digital services and access.

  • Managing digital content.

  • Digital transformation and preserving heritage materials.

  • Developing exhibitions and smart digital portals to revive heritage.

  • Preserving digital heritage on social media platforms.

3. Sustainability initiatives and strategies in knowledge institutions:

  • Standard specifications and practices in the smart environment.

  • Information and cyber security; to protect documents, manuscripts, archives, and digital heritage materials.

  • Initiatives and experiences for smart applications in libraries, archives, and manuscript houses.

  • Initiatives and projects for archiving social media platforms.

  • Initiatives to raise awareness in dealing with rare documents, manuscripts, and digital heritage materials.

  • Sustainability of language, heritage, documents, manuscripts, and archives institutions in the Arab Gulf countries.

  • Experiences and strategies for foreseeing the future in the Arab Gulf countries.

4. Governance, Legal Frameworks and Policies:

  • National and international policies for the protection of archives and manuscripts in the digital age.

  • Intellectual property rights and privacy in the management of digital archives.

  • Developing standards and policies to ensure open and sustainable access to heritage information.

  • Governance in heritage institutions.

5. Keeping Pace with Academic and Professional Programs in the field of Libraries and Information Technology:

  • The impact of artificial intelligence on academic programs.

  • Challenges and obstacles facing academic programs in responding to developments in the field.

  • Competencies required for faculty members and academics programs to cope with the impact of smart technologies.

  • Building capacities and developing professional competencies to employ artificial intelligence technologies.

6. Opportunities, Challenges and Risks in Employing Artificial Intelligence Technologies:

  • Employing artificial intelligence technologies in managing informational crises.

  • Artificial intelligence and the challenges of scientific publishing.

  • Ethical and legislative aspects of superintelligence applications in information institutions.

  • Employing artificial intelligence in strategic planning and analysis in information institutions.

  • The role of information institutions in raising awareness of the ethical use of smart technologies.

Important Dates & Submission Deadlines:

  • Abstract submission deadline: 1 November 2024 – 1 January 2025

  • Abstract acceptance notifications: 30 March 2025

  • Papers Submissions: 22 June 2025

  • Papers acceptance notifications: 20 July 2025

Instructions:

  1. The abstract must include the research idea (research problem), objectives, methodology that will address the problem, and the topic within the announced topics to which the submitted proposed abstract belongs.
  2. The results will be reported gradually before the deadlines, and research can be submitted and approved before the specified dates.
  3. In individual research, the researcher is exempted from conference fees with the provision of a visa if necessary, and in joint research, only two researchers are exempted at most.
  4. Accommodation and traveling costs are the responsibility of the participants.
  5. The rest of the attendance details (fees, host hotel) will be announced soon.
  6. Please follow the following format for the papers:
    * Font type used: Simplified Arabic
    * Font size for titles: 14 bold
    * Font size for paragraphs: 14 normal
    * The number of words in the abstract does not exceed 500 words
    * The number of pages in the entire paper does not exceed 20 pages
    * Adopt the APA style (6th ed.) of documenting references.

Naseej Academy Award for the best research in the conference:

Naseej Academy offers two awards, the first for the best research submitted by academics and graduate students, and the second for professionals working in knowledge institutions and facilities. The scientific committee will select the two winning researches from the participating researches and announce them at the conference ceremony.

Contact Information:

Abstracts and research papers shall be sent to the Secretary of the Scientific Committee, a cc to the Chairman of the Committee, and a cc to the President of the Association:

Mr. Abdullah Bin Hamoud Al-Sarmi

E-Mail:asarmih@hotmail.com

Dr. Ayman Hassan Alhabshi

Scientific Committee, Chairman
E-Mail: ayman.alhabshi@gmail.com

Prof. Hassan Awad AlSereihi

(Head of SLA-AGC)
E-Mail: ayman.alhabshi@gmail.com