Forum for Community Libraries & Cultural Centres to Begin on 5 October 2026Muscat, 28 September 2026 (ONA) — The
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth will organize a forum for community
libraries and cultural centres from 5 to 8 October 2026. The event will focus
on fostering knowledge-based partnerships as a cornerstone for enhancing the
performance of these institutions.

The forum seeks to expand areas of cooperation,
facilitate the exchange of expertise and utilize available resources to improve
services and activities in a manner that enhances the role of these institutions
in society.

The forum, which takes the theme
“Partners in Knowledge Empowerment and Building Community Identity”, reflects
a commitment to foster integration and partnership between the Ministry and
community libraries and cultural centres. It aims to enhance the role of these
institutions in the cultural and intellectual landscape, provide a platform for
dialogue and the exchange of expertise and explore ways to upgrade the quality
of services and programmes to keep pace with developments in the sector of knowledge
and culture.

The programme of the forum will include two workshops,
the first of which, titled “Building Knowledge Partnerships and
Developing Initiatives and Concepts”, will lay emphasis on
honing the skills of participants in forging partnerships, formulating initiatives
and converting ideas into practical applications that advance cultural and
knowledge-based activities.

The second workshop focuses on the
role of transparency in realizing the efficient management of resources. It will
be in coordination with Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit and the State
Financial and Administrative Audit Authority.

In its closing ceremony, the forum
will see the announcement of the names of winners of the 2026 Excellence Award
for Community Libraries and Cultural Centres. Now in its 5th edition,
this year’s competition, titled “Digital Innovation Award for
Community Libraries and Cultural Centres”, aims to encourage
institutions to use digital technologies for enhancing their services and
activities, while at the same time generating new methods to benefit members of
the public.

— Ends/Bishara