As part of the partnership between the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO to rehabilitate public libraries in Lebanon, the two institutions continue to work together to develop libraries and strengthen their role in serving local communities. In this context, Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh visited the Sin El Fil Public Library today, accompanied by UNESCO Information and Communication Programmes Officer George Awad and Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon Hilde Haraldstad, to review its needs and follow up on efforts to develop the library.
The visit included a tour of the library, as well as the delivery of a selection of books, stationery and equipment. It also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the President of the Sin El Fil Municipality, reaffirming the shared commitment to developing the library, enhancing its services and strengthening its role within the community.
The visit is part of the “Rehabilitating Lebanon’s Public Library Network” project, launched by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with UNESCO, with the support of the Embassy of Norway in Lebanon, The Chris “Loops” Seikali Foundation and MCN Build Foundation.
Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh said:
“We have developed an ambitious project to strengthen the capacity of all these municipal libraries. But we are not doing this in an arbitrary way. We are visiting these libraries and preparing a report on their actual needs, because no two libraries have the same needs. Some libraries need computers, while others need books because they have not purchased a single book for a long period due to the financial crisis. Some libraries need people who can teach music, dance and singing, while others need their electronic equipment to be fully refurbished.
“That is why we did not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we prepared a detailed assessment of each library and its needs so that we can respond to them.”
UNESCO Information and Communication Programmes Officer George Awad said:
“UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to continuing to work with its partners in Lebanon to strengthen the role of public libraries and develop them by supporting the establishment of a national library network, strengthening the capacities of library staff, encouraging knowledge exchange, and developing services and activities that respond to the needs of local communities. We look forward to this day serving as another step in our joint efforts to develop Lebanon’s public library network and strengthen libraries as vibrant spaces where communities come together and where opportunities for learning, creativity and innovation can grow.”
Norwegian Ambassador to Lebanon Hilde Haraldstad said:
“We value the efforts of the Ministry of Culture to strengthen and preserve public libraries as essential spaces for knowledge, learning and community engagement in Lebanon. Norway is proud to support this project, which contributes to developing public services and strengthening the role of libraries as inclusive and open spaces for all, bringing local communities together and responding to their needs across Lebanon.”
