A comprehensive app for visitors, publishers and authors dedicated to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, ADIBF, and a pioneering e-card system dedicated to Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority’s, TCA Abu Dhabi, published series and projects have been launched at the 2015 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

The ADIBF app, launched by TCA Abu Dhabi, provides access to a complete exhibitor database and a comprehensive listing of more than 500,000 books available at the fair – searchable by title, author or publisher – complete with information about the title. Additionally, the app details the cultural, literary and professional programme activities held as part of the fair’s 25th Silver Anniversary edition.

Compatible with all Android and iOS devices, once downloaded the app does not need a permanent internet connection to work. The app also features a planning tool allowing visitors to add events and activities to a daily agenda, issuing notifications related to the date and time of the fair’s seminars, lectures and discussions panels reminders.

TCA Abu Dhabi has also introduced a smart card to boost e-Book access with a pioneering e-card system and application allowing book lovers to browse through a wide selection of more than 150 e-books on their mobile devices making them readily available to readers of all ages.

Unprecedented in the Arab World, the e-card project grants users access via three e-card types dedicated to the Authority’s project or publication series catalogues: the Kalima Project e-card, which offers owners access to 72 books of Kalima’s best releases, while the National Library’s Orient Pioneers and Springs of Classical Arabic Prose series e-cards will open up the fascinating worlds of 40 and 45 books under each series respectively.

The ground-breaking e-publishing project will "have a deep, positive impact in terms of facilitating and accelerating Arab readers’ access to e-books on par with the international industry leaders in this field," according to Juma Al Qubaisi, ADIBF Director and Executive Director of the National Library division – TCA Abu Dhabi, who stressed that the initiative aligns with TCA Abu Dhabi’s efforts to keep pace with the ever-evolving world of electronic media and publishing, and fulfils readers’ aspirations to obtain electronic copies of the Authority’s publications.

"Modern Technology has numerous innovative advantages. For example, the e-card project can add 150 books to a tablet or a phone that is the size of a human hand – which is what makes e-publishing very special. In our opinion, this complements rather than hinders paper publishing, contributes to distributing books to wider geographic areas, particularly remote regions that do not have as much selling and distribution outlets, and saves readers the shipment fees," he added.

Salah Chebaro, CEO of Neel wa Furat, the company commissioned by TCA Abu Dhabi to conduct the e-card project’s design, technical and electronic operations, pointed out that this leading project will be widely received by the public because it is a new idea, and all new things have their special sparkle.

More than 600 influential authors, intellectuals and media experts are participating in the 25th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organised under the auspicious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.