Qatar National Library took another step towards fostering heritage preservation efforts across the region, this time in partnership with the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA). As the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Regional Center for the MENA region, the Library partnered with IASA to complete Arabic translations of four pivotal publications from IASA’s Technical Committee.
These translations will empower regional organizations and professionals to leverage IASA’s technical conservation expertise in the audiovisual field to preserve and disseminate the region’s cultural heritage.
Ms. Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in advancing preservation efforts across the MENA region. “Qatar National Library is proud to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and best practices, particularly in the field of audiovisual preservation because audiovisual heritage is one of the most vulnerable due its format. By making these essential publications accessible in Arabic, we aim to empower regional institutions and professionals to safeguard their cultural heritage for future generations.”
Patrick J Midtlyng, IASA President, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Qatar National Library and underscored the global importance of these publications. “By partnering with QNL to translate these key documents into Arabic, IASA is fulfilling its mission to promote international cooperation and knowledge sharing in the field of sound and audiovisual archives,” he said.
Maxim Nasra, Head of the Preservation and Conservation Center at Qatar National Library, highlighted the practical impact of these translations. “These publications provide crucial guidelines that will enhance the capabilities of professionals working with audiovisual archives in our region. They serve as foundational resources in our efforts to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural memory,” he noted.
Jennifer Vaughn, IASA Editor, commented on the significance of the publications reaching Arabic-speaking audiences, saying, "The translation of these publications represents a significant milestone in our commitment to making essential preservation knowledge accessible globally. It marks a step forward in empowering diverse communities to effectively safeguard their audiovisual heritage."
The publications, which are now accessible to Arabic-speaking audiences worldwide, comprise The Safeguarding of the Audiovisual Heritage: Ethics, Principles and Preservation Strategy (IASA-TC 03, 4th edition); Guidelines on the Production and Preservation of Digital Audio Objects (IASA-TC 04, 2nd edition); Handling and Storage of Audio and Video Carriers (IASA-TC 05) and Guidelines for the Preservation of Video Recordings (IASA-TC 06).
To access the translations, please visit the IASA Special and Technical Publications website (https://iasa-web.org/iasa-special-and-technical-publications) or Qatar National Library's Preservation and Conservation Center (https://www.qnl.qa/en/library-services/conservation-and-preservation-services).