World Libraries: World Digital Library welcomes new partners

The National Library of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) has joined the World Digital Library (WDL), an international project that places on line important historical and cultural documents from countries around the world.

It's worth mentioning that 119 partner institutions from 66 countries are currently contributing to the WDL, which is being developed with the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The National Library will contribute important Arabic and Islamic manuscripts from its collections, as well as books, maps and atlases, photographs, and audiovisual materials relating to the history of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula.

The WDL Web site is maintained by the Library of Congress which, under the Charter adopted by the partner institutions in 2009, serves as the WDL institutional Project Manager.

Jumaa Al-Qubaisi, Deputy Director General for National Library Affairs and Director of the National Library at ADACH, signed the WDL Charter on behalf of ADACH, the parent organization of the National Library. "We are delighted to be working with UNESCO and all the WDL partners to bring the rich cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world to international audiences through the medium of this cutting edge Internet project," Al-Qubaisi said.