The National Library and Archives was initially established as an Office of Documents and Studies. Its aim is to collect information and documents on the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula in general, and the United Arab Emirates in particular. The National Library and Archives has been supervised by several parties since its inception, and then the name was changed from the National Centre for Documentation and Research to the National Archives.

The National Library and Archives is considered one of the oldest and largest archives in the Arabian Gulf. It was also able to achieve its distinguished position among similar institutions in the Middle East and the world because it relied on an advanced and modern technological base. The publications issued by the National Library and Archives combine heritage and modernity that assists and benefits intellectuals. The National Library and Archives participates in local, regional, and international seminars and conferences. It also organizes exhibitions related to the heritage and culture of the United Arab Emirates, inside and outside the country.

The Ministry of Culture and Youth works to enrich the cultural ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates by supporting the country’s cultural, art and heritage institutions. The Ministry’s key mandates include investing in youth and empowering them and building a knowledge-based economy for a sustainable future. The Ministry has a supervisory role through the Follow-up Committee of Associations of Public Benefit.

The Juma AlMajid Centre for Culture and Heritage was established in 1992 with the full support of His Excellency Juma AlMajid to be a scientific charitable organization of public interest concerned with culture and heritage. Work in the centre began with the acquisition and preservation of cultural vessels of various forms for cataloguing and classification. So that there is a comprehensive library of humanities, Islamic and Arabic sciences that students and researchers can benefit from. The centre houses a rare collection of original and illustrated manuscripts, university theses, historical and political documents, and old and rare periodicals. The Juma AlMajid Centre for Culture and Heritage plays a major role in supporting libraries and their staff in a variety of ways.

The Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association (ERRA) is a non-profit association that represents Emirati and foreign publishers and authors. It is responsible for managing the copyrights of copied literary works that have been contractually transferred to the Society. The ERRA assists educational institutions and various organizations by re-licensing the use of printed and digital works. It focuses on raising awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights and copyright through seminars and conferences. The ERRA provides the library sector with services helping with applying the copyright law and legal deposit law in their libraries.

The first Reading Law of its kind that establishes legislative frameworks, executive programs, and specific government responsibilities to inculcate the value of reading in the United Arab Emirates. The Law aims to support the development of human capital, contribute to building mental and cognitive capabilities, support national intellectual production, and build knowledge societies in the country.

The UAE local Copyright Law is Federal Decree-Law no. (38) of 2021 , repealing Federal Law No. 7 of 2002 on copyright and related rights.

The Law includes an exception for library copying for research, education and preservation (although only if it’s not been possible to obtain the work otherwise under reasonable circumstances), as well as a broader education exception and a good implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty (although much is left to secondary legislation). There are also provisions for private and non-profit/non-professional purposes, reproductions of works in public spaces, and transient copying.  However, there is no provision allowing libraries to circumvent technological protection measures, or reference to the non-applicability of contracts that undermine limitations and exceptions.

The library and information science teaching system in the country includes:

• Al Wasl University offers a Bachelor’s degree in Library and Information Science.
• Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI) offers Library and Information Services Diploma.
• The University of Sharjah offers Library and Information Systems Diploma.
• The British University in Dubai (BUiD) offers a Postgraduate degree in Informatics (Data and Knowledge Management).
• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi offers a bachelor’s study program in document management and archival sciences.
• University of Sharjah offers electronic documentation and archiving diploma.

Al-Rafid Magazine is a magazine Issued monthly by Sharjah Department of Culture. The content of the magazine consists of Arabic and human culture, including topical variations of its vocabulary related to history, geography, thought, criticism and creativity.

Al-Masrah, a magazine issued monthly, keeps up with theatrical activities in Sharjah, and publishes articles, interviews, reports, letters, and book reviews from all over the world.

Al-Sharqa Al-Thaqafiya magazine that is issued monthly focuses on Arabic culture and language and building bridges for intellectual and cognitive communication with local, Arab, and international cultural events. It also seeks to open the Arab reader through modern means of communication to keep pace with changes and balance between paper and electronic.

Al-Qawafi magazine is monthly magazine that sheds light on eloquent Arabic poetry and literature, through studies, press interviews and critical readings, and opens the door for participation to the poems of poets from different Arab countries.

Al-Hira min Al-Sharjah is a monthly magazine specialized in poetry and popular literature. It publishes poetic creations, critical insights, investigations and surveys, in addition to interviews with creators, and readings of books and collections.

Al-Wusta magazine is monthly cultural magazine, from the central region of the Emirate of Sharjah, concerned with development and cultural affairs in the cities of this region: Al Dhaid, Al Batayeh, Maliha, Al Madam.

Al-Sharqiya is monthly cultural magazine, from the eastern region of the Emirate of Sharjah, concerned with monitoring and keeping up with the cultural development scene in its cities: Khorfakkan, Kalba, Dibba Al-Hisn.

Sharjah Institute for Heritage issued an Arabic magazine (Al-Mawrooth) and it’s a library as well that includes a variety of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, books, references, heritage and academic sources and periodicals, in addition to the publications which are indispensable for researchers, interested persons and workers in the field of cultural heritage in various fields.

The Center Magazine project is one of the most important projects of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, and is in line with its strategies to renew the discourse with the language by publishing studies and research on its literary, cultural and artistic issues in cooperation with the International Braille Foundation.

Sharjah Book Authority hosts the National Library Summit. The conference is held annually in November, and includes national libraries from Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. The conference aims to exchange ideas and experiences and explore the challenges faced by national libraries.

The School Librarians Award was established in 2016 in partnership with the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai. It is awarded annually to celebrate the great role played by librarians in public and private schools.

Sharjah International Library Conference is held at the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is held annually in November. Librarians and library workers benefit from the diverse experiences shared by different countries.

Sharjah Public Libraries of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) supervise the Sharjah Award for Library Literature, which is an annual award. The themes of the award revolve around libraries, information, and cognitive shifting and development.

The International Conference on Translation was launched by the National Archives and Library in 2021, which is held annually. The conference focuses on translation research around the world and allocates an award for the best research. The conference activities are also fully translated, and cultures and information are exchanged.