Library Newsletter Fall 2023

An MoU was signed between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MICT), Amr Talaat, Higher Education Minister and Ahmed Dallal, AUC President, to collaborate on Egypt’s digital heritage platform project on November 6, 2023.

AUC Libraries have successfully conducted a two-day training about Metadata and Digitization with the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) as per the mutual cooperation with cultural institutions. “The training was truly commendable as per the feedback of& the top management and the participants of NMEC as well as a good illustration of the transfer of know- how and expertise across cultural associations,”stated Heba Sayed, Phd, director of planning, assessment and business development at LLT.

Under the framework of the Safeguarding of Hassan Fathy’s Architectural Legacy in New Gourna Site project, the UNESCO Cairo office and the RBSCL collaborated to create a comprehensive chronological documentation of all the New Gourna project material in the Hassan Fathy archives. The research begins from the early phase of the 1940s, covering the design and execution of the village and all the later assessment and restoration work. It analyzes all materials in the archives, incorporating architectural drawings, diaries, papers, correspondences with partners and government, studies, video footage, audio tapes, and photographs.

The parties cooperate in conducting research about the architectural drawings of the Egyptian architect Sayed Karim concerning projects of governmental buildings in Riyadh. The selected resources will be incorporated into research work through online or print publications, and exhibitions.

AUC's history department and library hosted a joint workshop on historical newspapers and magazines in Egypt. The workshop brought together donors, researchers, students, librarians, and archivists and showcased recent work on historical newspapers. Selected presentations will be posted on the FOUNT repository.

AUC library plays an important role in impacting and guiding students of national universities by participating in special events. AUC collection department was represented by Lamiaa, who shared her 30-year journey in the field of librarianship, highlighting the importance of libraries as vibrant centers of knowledge and the evolving role of librarians in the digital age the vital role that librarians play in supporting academic research, fostering critical thinking, and promoting information literacy through practical tips and strategies for pursuing a career in librarianship.

Our cook book display stirred up more than just an appetite for knowledge! Students and faculty dived into a diverse collection from different disciplines, while faculty recommendations added an interdisciplinary flair. The fusion of ancient artifacts and classic recipes added a unique charm, turning the library into a time-traveling kitchen. The display became a hub for shared experiences, blending academic exploration with the joy of cooking.

Heba Sayed, director of planning, assessment and business development, represented the AUC libraries and Egypt at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) meeting that was hosted by Sharjah Public Libraries early November 2023. The representative libraries of the MENA region developed the strategic plan of the region as a part of IFLA's overall plan aiming at the enhancement of the field of librarianship for the welfare of the intellectual community.