Muscat – The Children’s Public Library in Muscat and Russian State Children’s Library have signed an agreement to collaborate on joint exhibitions, conferences and events, as well as exchange expertise and conducting children’s research. Signed in Moscow on Tuesday, it marks the first international cooperation for the Children’s Public Library in Qurum. 

The agreement was signed by H H Dr Mona bint Fahad al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University and Chairperson of Board of Directors of Public Children’s Library, and Maria Vedenyapina, Director of the Russian State Children’s Library.

The signing ceremony was attended by Jamal bin Hassan al Moosawi, Secretary-General of National Museum of Oman, H E Hamood Salim al Towaiya, Ambassador of Oman to Russia, and Abdullah bin Hamad al Riyami, Head of Foreign Ministry’s Cultural Cooperation Department.

The agreement will focus on organising joint exhibitions, conferences and events to raise awareness about the importance of reading for children, and includes the exchange of expertise among staff, collaboration on children’s research, and training library employees on the latest library technologies. 

The agreement is part of Children’s Public Library’s efforts to enhance international cooperation and exploring collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Set up in 1969 in Moscow, Russian State Children’s Library is one of the largest children’s libraries in Russia with a collection of approximately 560,000 books. It also offers a wide range of magazines and multimedia for children and young people. 

Additionally, the library organises events and workshops to foster a love of reading and learning, supports teachers and parents with educational resources, and includes an information and research centre specialising in children’s literature and development. It receives 45,000 visitors annually and aims to promote culture and education among young Russians.