Ministry of Culture Concludes 2026 Private Libraries and Cultural Centers Forum

Empowering Knowledge and Community Identity

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth concluded an inspiring forum today. The Department of Libraries and Private Cultural Centers hosted the 2026 gathering. The event ran under a beautiful slogan regarding knowledge and community identity. More than 50 dedicated library managers and cultural specialists attended the sessions. His Excellency Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi sponsored the closing ceremony. He serves as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development. The ceremony proudly announced the winners of the fifth Excellence Competition. This year, the competition focused heavily on digital innovation for local libraries. The Sheikh Mohsen bin Zahran Al-Abri Public Library won first place globally. The Creativity Center for Culture and Innovation in Nizwa secured second place. The Al-Nadwa Cultural Center in Bahla proudly took home third place. Several other public libraries received special encouragement awards for their excellent work. The forum aimed to enhance integration between the Ministry and cultural centers. It provided a wonderful opportunity to exchange valuable community experiences. Mona bint Hilal Al-Siyabi directed the department and delivered a moving speech.

Building Sustainable Cultural Partnerships

She stated that libraries represent an essential partner in creating public knowledge. These centers promote awareness and consolidate national values perfectly. Sustainable cultural work requires strong integration between government and private institutions. Knowledge empowerment provides citizens with essential resources for lifelong learning. Libraries encourage reading, develop crucial skills, and support community creativity enthusiastically. They connect new generations to their rich Omani cultural heritage successfully. The forum seeks to build effective partnerships that leave a lasting impact. Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Azri represented the competition’s judging committee today. He noted the competition received 15 outstanding projects for evaluation. These projects employ modern technologies to improve the user experience significantly. Employing technology enhances the mission of libraries and serves the community better. Dr. Hafez bin Ahmed Al-Busaidi spoke on behalf of the private libraries. He appreciated the Ministry for supporting this vital educational sector continuously.

Preserving Historical Documents Digitally

Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Abri discussed his winning "Wathiqa" digital platform project. The platform preserves thousands of historical documents and makes them available digitally. The forum also featured specialized workshops on efficient resource management. Library staff learned how to design impact-driven initiatives and ensure long-term sustainability. The government views these cultural centers as pillars of Oman Vision 2040. We congratulate all the award winners for their incredible dedication to education. Catch the latest updates on cultural initiatives and local events at Oman Day.