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Beautiful libraries dating back to Jerusalem’s golden age; desolate libraries destroyed or turned into detention centres; a few libraries bustling with users and equipment; many libraries standing empty or closed. In the last month the Palestinian Museum has undertaken, through site visits and interviews, to discover each one of Palestine's libraries, and this newsletter documents our findings.
Our survey revealed that a majority of Palestine's libraries are located in the Gaza Strip. The biggest are associated with municipalities, while the smallest are to be found in refugee camps. The search uncovered 108 public libraries in total; we decided to exclude specialised or private libraries such as those open only to children and those found in mosques, churches, universities and colleges. Of the 108 included, we discovered that 21 have so far been shut down. 7 of the Gaza Strip’s libraries have been fully or partially destroyed, and even in Jerusalem 6 out of 8 libraries have been shut down. One thing that almost all of the remaining libraries have in common is the low number of people reading and borrowing their books, and the fact that they tend to rely on donated books, many of which are not even in languages locals read and speak.
Though the situation can seem bleak, the energy still being put into preserving, renovating, and improving these important institutions deserves our recognition. We are aware that, in spite of our efforts, the list may not be exhaustive, so if you are aware of a public library not listed here, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
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Al Aswar Library
This library, located in the heart of the old city of Acre, consists of two floors of a building near Khan Al O’mdan. It was established in 1974 at the same time as the Asawr Society, and currently has one volunteer staff member. The library used to provide services to researchers and academics from across the region, but the scarcity of resources and funding have forced Aswar Society to consider scaling back its activities and dedicating the library to housing the archives of Acre and the Galilee. In 2006, the Society also compiled an archive of Palestinian children’s literature and added it to the library. The space now contains thousands of resources related to the Palestinian cause and culture, but it requires reorganization and redesigning by a library specialist, as well as building renovations.
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Al Doha Municipal Library
Al Doha Municipality library was established in 2010. Its building covers 200 square meters in the town of Al Doha, which is located midway between Bethlehem and Beit Jala. The library has 10,200 books and 300 members. It uses a computerised system and is managed by two staff members, one of whom is a specialised librarian.
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Al-Elm Lil Jamee’ (knowledge for all) Library - Dar Salah village council
This library is located east of Bethlehem in the village of Dar Salah, housed in a building owned by the village council. Established in 2006 and containing 10,000 books, it is considered the only public library in the eastern rural area of Bethlehem. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 30 and the number of members is 72. The library does not use a computerised system, but has eight computers available for public use. Its only staff member has undertaken specialised training courses, and it also employs a number of volunteers.
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Al-Ubeidiya Municipal Library
Established in 2007, this library has an 85 square meters space in Al-‘Ubeidiya (north-east of Bethlehem). Its 3000 books are in Arabic and English, it has one computer, and its borrowing services are provided without the need for prior subscription. The library’s building requires restoration.
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Amal the Martyr Library, affiliated with the Women’s Committee for Social Work in Aida Refugee Camp (closed)
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Battir Public Library
Located 8km south-west of Jerusalem, the Battir public library is part of the village council building. It was established in the year 2000, covers 180 square meters, and contains 2000 books. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 40, and though the library does not use a computerised system, it has a number of computers for public use. The library employs one non-specialised staff member.
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Beit Fajjar Municipality Library (closed)
This library was established in Beit Fajjar, south of Bethlehem, in 2008. It had approximately 5000 books and organised various community events. It was shut down in 2013.
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Beit Jala Municipal Public Library
One of the largest Palestinian public libraries, the Beit Jala Municipal Library was established in 2005 and its building covers 800 square meters. It contains 24,000 books, 350 periodicals, and 100 audio resources in various languages. The library uses a computerised system and the estimated number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is 450. The number of members is 500 and the library has 12 computers for public use. The library has one trained staff member.
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Bethlehem Bible College Library
This library was established in 1979 as a specialised private library, but was made public in 1998. Of its 35,500 books, more are in foreign languages (English, French, and German) than in Arabic. The library’s members total 227, and it has a computerised system and three computers for public use. Two staff members, one of whom is a qualified librarian, manage the library.
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Pontifical Mission Library
Though established in a 100 square meters space on the Bethlehem University campus, this library is independent from the university. It contains more than 10,000 books in both Arabic and English, and its members' total 1000 subscribers. Although the library system is not computerised, the estimated number of borrowed books is high: 1400 per month. Four staff members are employed including the library director, and the latter is a trained librarian. The library organises various community activities, including music courses, language classes, book discussions, and film screenings. It suffers, however, from ventilation issues and from the limited space available to it.
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The Laji’ (Refugee) Centre Library
This library is part of Laji’ centre located in Aida refugee camp north-west of Bethlehem and is highly active in the local community. Established in 2013 and covering 42 square meters, it has 5000 books with a monthly borrowing rate of 150 books, and its membership consists of 80 children and 40 adults. The library does not use a computerised system and hires one staff member trained as a librarian. The Laji’ Centre allows library members to use its computer lab in addition to the television and overhead projector.
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Al Asriyyeh Library (Union of Health Work Committees)
This library was established by the Union of Health Work Committees in 1991 and was renovated in 2000. In 2004 the library’s work expanded further after its resettlement in a building owned by the Union of Health Work Committees in Jabaliya refugee camp, north of Gaza city. It was later further developed in the year 2008, and it now covers 35 square meters and provides services to around 400 individuals on a monthly basis. Its official members total 60 and the estimated number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is 400. The library has one staff member and though there is no computerised system currently, there is a plan to computerise it during 2015.
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Al Atta Charitable Society Library (destroyed)
This library was established in the year 2000 in a 40 square meters space in the Al Atta’ Charitable Society building in Beit Hanun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The library was totally destroyed during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip in 2014, but the Society rented a new building and assigned one of the rooms to serve as a small library housing the 250 books recovered from the bombed building. In 2007, the Society was set on fire by unknown perpetrators: the fire damaged its facilities including the library, but the headquarters was renovated in 2008. The library used to have 3000 children’s books and 4000 books for adults, as well as a computerised system and a total membership of 200.
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Al Bahrain Public Library
This library was established in 2012 in Jabaliya refugee camp, in the north of the Gaza Strip. It is a model library consisting of three floors (200 square meters in total) in a building owned by UNRWA. The library has 8200 books in both Arabic and English. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 500, while the total number of members is 2000. Of the library's eight employees, four are trained librarians. The library does not use a computerised system, but has 20 computers and organises regular community activities.
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Al Siraj Library - Society of Palestine Charity for Care (destroyed)
This was a public library providing services for people with special needs in particular. Established in 1997 in a 200 square meters space in the Jabaliya refugee camp, it housed 5000 books. The library was fully destroyed during the Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip in 2014.
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Al Taghreed Society Library (destroyed)
Established by the Ministry of Culture in 1998, this library was targeted twice during the Israeli aggression on Gaza in 2009 and 2014. As a result, it lost 10,000 books and periodicals and around 150 audio-visual resources. Following the full destruction of its building in Beit Hanun, the library was relocated to Al Taghreed Society headquarters, a 70 square meters building. Unfortunately, the Society’s offices were also targeted during the recent aggression, and sustained major damages. The library is currently partially open, offering access to the 1000 remaining books in addition to a collection of audio-visual resources. An estimated 180 books are borrowed monthly, and members total 90. The library has no reading room, so readers take books out into the Society’s garden.
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Baituna Society for Societal Development Library
This library has a general collection of 1900 books in addition to a special collection of 450 books and audio-visual resources for people with special needs. The library was established in 2006 in a 100 square meters hall in Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The estimated monthly borrowing rate is 25 books, and the total number of members is 96. The library has three non-specialist staff members who help organise a range of community activities.
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Dar Al Shabab for Culture and Development Library (inactive)
Established in 1995, this library covers 24 square meters within the headquarters of the Dar Al Shabab Commission for Culture and Development in Jabaliya in the north of the Gaza Strip. The library used to be called the Library of Dar Al Shabab for Culture and Arts, but was renovated in the year 2000 and used to house 7000 books in Arabic. Following the internal division in 2006, the library was burnt down, and has been partially closed ever since. It currently contains 3400 books and provides its services the small number of people – it has a total membership of 20 – who visit the centre. The library has no computers and does not use a computerised system, and its roof is steel sheets that leak in the winter. The books are still in good condition, but the library has no reading room.
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Al Maghazi Society for Societal Rehabilitation Library
This library is considered part of the Society in the Al Maghazi refugee camp. Its space covers 300 square meters, and it was established in 1996. It was further developed in the year 2001, and now includes a section for activities, and another for Information Technology. Of its 15,000 books, an estimated 1200 are borrowed monthly. Two of its five employees are fully trained. The library has 11 computers and uses a computerised lending system, and its members total 4000.
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Al Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development Library
A model library covering 100 square meters, this library is located at the Centre’s headquarters in Gaza city. The library was established in 1998 and has 10,000 books, journals, and audio-visual resources. The number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is estimated at 217; the library has one trained employee, uses a computerised lending system, and has six computers for public use. The number of members is 1200, and the library is active in organising different activities and events including seminars and film screenings.
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Al-Shati’ Cultural Centre Library (closed)
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Al Tuffah Sports Club Library (destroyed)
This library was established in 1997, in a 200 square meters building in the Al Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza city. It had 7000 books and played an active role in serving the children and residents of the neighbourhood, but was totally destroyed during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip in 2008.
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Al Zaitoun Sports Club Library (closed)
This library was managed by the Al Zaitoun Sports Club in Al Zaitoun neighborhood. It operated from 1982 until 2007, but was closed following the internal divisions in Gaza in 2007. The club has now been turned into a detention centre, and around 6000 books have been lost.
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Al-Zarqa’ Association for Community Development Library (closed)
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Diana Tamari-Sabbagh Library (Rashad Al Shawwa Cultural Centre)
This library was opened in 1999, occupying 500 square meters in the Rashad Al Shawwa Cultural Centre in Gaza City. The library has 17000 books in Arabic and English, and an estimated 50 are borrowed monthly. The library is affiliated in terms of technical work and computerised services with Gaza Municipal Library, and has one employee. The library has only one computer, and is also in need of minor renovations.
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Gaza Municipal Public Library
This library was established in 1996 in a 1410 square meters space belonging to the municipality of Gaza. The library has 25,000 books, most of which are in good condition, but still in need of maintenance; the building requires some renovations and has six employees. The library has a computerised system and the number of members is estimated at 2000.
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Muntada Al Tawasol Society Library
This library was established in 2006 and housed in a 21 square meters space in Al Nuseirat refugee camp, south of Gaza City. The library has 1000 books, of which an estimated 25 are borrowed monthly. Two employees work at the library one of whom is a trained librarian. The library has 50 members, but no computers or computerised systems.
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The YMCA Library
Established in 1976, this was one of Palestine’s most active libraries. It was burnt down by unknown perpetrators in the year 2008 but was renovated, expanded, and re-opened in 2011. The library now covers a 60 square meters area in a building owned by the YMCA in Gaza City. The library has 4500 books and 600 journals, all in good condition, and the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 25. The library has a computerised system and 75 members.
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Union of Shaja’ya Club Library (destroyed)
This library was established in 1997, in a 200 square meters space managed by the union of the Shaja’ya club in Gaza. It operated actively until the end of 2008 when the library was completely destroyed in an Israeli attack, losing its entire collection of approximately 6000 books.
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Women’s Programs Library in Al Shati’ refugee camp
Located in an UNWRA-owned building in Al Shati’ refugee camp west of Gaza city, this library was established in 1995 and renovated in 2000. Its building currently covers 46 square meters, but it and the library’s 750 books are in need of repairs. The library lends about 50-60 books monthly via a computerised lending system, and the one staff member has undertaken a library science training course. The library provides services to 500 people each month, and to its 180 members.
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Al Bureij Cultural Forum Library (inactive)
Established in 1995 in a 35 square meters space in Al Bureij refugee camp south of Gaza City, this library contains 500 books. An estimated 30 are borrowed monthly, library membership totals 20, and though the library has 13 computers it does not use a computerised lending system. The library has been neglected for long periods of time but a team of volunteers was working, during our visit, on cleaning the space, which has been damaged by humidity, and on reclassifying the books to reactivate the library.
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Al Maghazi Services Club Library (closed)
This library was established 1951 or 52. It covers 40 square meters in Al Maghazi refugee camp, and used to belong to UNRWA. The library closed down in 2007 during the internal divisions, and the club was taken over and used as a prison.
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Al Nuseirat Municipal Library (Library of Martyr Khaled Al Hassan)
This library was established in the year 1998 in a 300 square meters building in Al Nuseirat, south of Gaza City. In the year 2013, Al Multaqa Educational Society rented the building and worked on developing and reactivating the library after its six-year closure for financial reasons. Despite its subsequent re-opening, it continues to suffer from several problems, mainly the need for building renovations and the lack of computers and similar equipment. Additionally, the library is unable to hire full-time staff and relies on four volunteers. It contains 6000 books in several languages.
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Deir Al-Balah Cultural and Social Centre Library (partially destroyed)
This is considered one of the most active libraries in Gaza despite its limited resources. Established in 2007, it was expanded in 2010 to fill a 95 square meters space in Deir Al-Balah. The library sustained damages during the recent war on the Gaza Strip, leading to cracks in the roof of the building. It has no computerised lending system and 930 books, of which an estimated 150 are borrowed monthly. Its members total 70 and it relies on volunteers.
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Deir Al-Balah Municipal Library (Library of Martyr Mahmoud Abu Samra)
This library was established in the year 2000, and was developed and transferred to the new building of Deir Al-Balah municipality in 2014. The library space covers 150 square meters and contains 3000 books in Arabic, English, and French. The number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is estimated at 50 and the number of members is 50. The library has four employees who have undertaken training courses. The library has one computer and does not use a computerised system.
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Fadwa Touqan’s Library - Centre of Women Programs (Al Nuseirat)
This library is located in a building owned by UNRWA in Al Nuseirat refugee camp south of Gaza city. Recently renovated and furnished, it was established in 1995 and covers 40 square meters and contains 4000 books, journals, and periodicals. Its 25 members borrow an estimated 35-50 books monthly and its one employee has a high school certificate. The library does not use a computerised lending system and has no computers.
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Society for Social Rehabilitation and Training Library (Al Nuseirat)
This is considered part of the library of the Society of Social Rehabilitation and Training in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp south of Gaza city. The library was established in the year 2002, covers 20 square meters, and holds 800 books of which around 100 are borrowed monthly. Its members total is 180, but the library does not use a computerised system and its single employee undertook only one training course. The building is in need of renovation.
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Women Activity Centre Library (Al Maghazi)
This library was established in 1994, in a 16 square meters space in an UNWRA building in Al Maghazi refugee camp in the middle of Gaza Strip. The library has two employees and 3000 books of which an estimated 100 are borrowed monthly. The library suffers from a lack of computers (it has no computerised system) in addition to the fact that the building needs renovation and the bookshelves need maintenance.
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Women and Society Empowerment Centre Library (Al Nuseirat)
This library was established in the year 2000, and consists of 24 square meters room in a building belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs in Al Nuseirat refugee camp, south of Gaza city. The library has 2000 books in several languages, 100 journals, and 100 video-tapes managed by a single non-specialist employee. It has no computerised lending system and also suffers from limited space, but in spite of this it provides services to approximately 250 beneficiaries monthly. However, it grants membership cards to children only and has 80 members. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 100.
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Women Programmes’ Library in Al Breij
This library was established by UNRWA in 1999, and was further developed in the years 2000 and 2010. The library space covers 35 square meters and is located in an UNWRA-owned building in Al Bureij refugee camp, south of Gaza City. The library sustained significant damages during the recent war on the Gaza Strip, leaving it with shattered windows and no internet, water, or electricity. The library has 4200 books, 30 video-tapes, and 50 CDs in Arabic and English, and the number of books borrowed daily is estimated at10 books externally. The library has two trained employees but does not use a computerised lending system.
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Abasan Al Kabira Municipal Library
This library was established in 1998 and fills a 150 square meters building belonging to the Abassan Al Kabira municipality, south-east of Khan Yunis. It contains 4000 books. The membership totals 100 and approximately 60 books are borrowed monthly. The library is staffed by one employee and one volunteer, both of whom have received training courses in classification and indexing.
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Bani Suhayleh Municipal Library (closed)
This library was established in 2004, in a 250 square meters building owned by the Bani Suhayleh municipality, east of Khan Yunis. The library has 40,000 books but has been closed to the public since 2008: when the municipality’s own building was destroyed in the war, it took over the library instead. The library is expected to re-open this year (2015).
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Bunat Al Ghad (Builders of Tomorrow) Centre Library
This library was established in 1994 with a 60 square meters space in a building belonging to the Society of Culture and Free Thought in Khan Yunis. The library has 5000 books and 350 members, and around 300 books are borrowed monthly. It"s one employee has undertaken a single training course, it has one computer, and its lending system is not computerised.
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Khan Yunis Municipal Library
In 2004, this library was established in a 900 square meters building owned by the Khan Yunis municipality. The library is divided into a public library, a physical library, an e-library, and a theater. It has around 20,000 books, of which about 600 are borrowed monthly.The library has eight employees, one of whom has a B.A. in library science, and two of whom have received partial training. The library system is computerised, but has only three computers, used by library employees only. The building needs renovation and the books need restoration.
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Khan Yunis Services Club Library (partially destroyed)
This library was established in 1990. Its 72 square meters space contains 6000 books in several languages and its members total 120. Partially damaged during the recent Israeli war (2014) and also suffering financial problems, the library has no employees and relies on volunteers. The library has only one computer.
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The Cultural Centre Library - Association of Culture and Free Thought
In 1998 this library was established in a 180 square meters building, to be managed by the Society of Culture and Free Thought in Khan Yunis. The library has 5200 books in several languages and lends around 30 of them monthly; it's one employee holds a degree in another field. The library has one computer and does not use a computerised lending system.
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The Palestinian Child Library (Palestinian Red Crescent Society)
A well-known library distinguished by its many activities, this library, though known as a children’s institution, serves all age groups. It was established in the year 2000 in a 36 square meters space in the PRCS building in Khan Yunis. The library has 3700 books and 400 members, and 400 books and cultural materials are lent monthly. The library has one employee, with a diploma in library science, and uses a computerised lending system.
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Women’s Programmes Library
This library was established in 1998. It fills a 35 square meters space in Khan Yunis, and contains 1500 books, of which an estimated 50 are borrowed monthly. The library uses a computerised system and has two employees, one of whom is a trained librarian; it has 100 members. The building requires renovation in addition the books need to be re-organised. The library has no computers.
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Al Sanabel Club Library - Al Amal Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled
The library was established in 1998 in a 32 square meters space operated by the Al Amal Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled in Rafah. Despite its size, it is considered one of the most active libraries there, with 6000 books and 150 members. An estimated 150 books are borrowed monthly, and the library is staffed by two volunteers; one has a B.A. in library science, while the other has a diploma in another field. The library’s building is in need of renovation and refurnishing, and some of the books require restoration and maintenance.
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Rafah Municipal Library
Established by the Rafah municipality in 1979 in a municipality building of 550 square meters, the library was developed in the year 2000 and now contains more than 15,000 books in several languages. The estimated monthly number of borrowed books is 1000, and the library uses a computerised system. Three of the six employees have undertaken training courses, but the library’s building requires full renovation and it lacks new books.
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Rafah Services Club Library
This library was established in the year 2002, with support from the Rafah municipality. Its 4000 books fill a 120 square meters space and it has 250 members. Around 50 books and cultural resources are borrowed monthly, and the library has only one computer and no computerised system. It's one employee has undertaken some training in the field.
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Women’s Programmes Library (Rafah)
This library was established in 1998 in a 300 square meters UNWRA-owned building in the Tal Al Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. The library has 5000 books in Arabic; its members total 839 and the number of books borrowed monthly is about 195. The library has one computer, and its building requires renovation and for old bookshelves and furniture to be replaced.
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Mossawa Centre & Tawjeeh Dirasi Association Library
In 1992, this library was established at Mossawa (the Centre for Equality) in the Wadi Al-Nasnaas quarter of Haifa. Part of it is in a separate room in the Centre’s entrance hall, and the rest of the library’s collection is distributed in the second floor of the Centre. These spaces are all in need of renovation, and some of the books also need restoring. The collection includes works on law, sciences and Islamic sciences as well as the publications of various institutions, and some of these books date to before the Palestinian Nakba of 1948. It contains a total of 5500 books, of which about 60 are borrowed monthly. The library organises many community activities including reading sessions, training courses.
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The Arab Cultural Association Library
Founded in 2005, this small library occupies a 40 square meters space within the Arab Cultural Association building. It contains 1500 books in Arabic, including academic critical and philosophical works, and the library holds monthly literary forums in addition to other activities. No employees are dedicated to running the library but it provides services, without the need for prior subscription, to 20 people per month. The Arab Cultural Association is in an early stage of its development, and plans are in place in particular to develop the library.
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Ash-Shuyukh Municipal Library
The Ash-Shuyukh Municipal Library was established in 2006 in an 80 square meters space in Ash-Shuyukh, a town north of Hebron. It has 2500 books and 670 members. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 20 and there is one non-specialist staff member. The library is currently facing problems in that its building needs renovation; it also has only one computer and no computerised system.
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Bani Na’eem Municipal Library
Established in 2008, this library is located in Bani Na’eem, a town east of Hebron, and covers two floors (a total area of 250 square meters) of a building owned by the municipality. The library has 13,000 books in Arabic and English, and 250 library members. Fifty books are borrowed monthly and there is no computerised lending system. The library organises community activities on a regular basis, such as book discussions, and has one trained staff member.
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Beit Ula Cultural Club Library
This library is affiliated with the cultural club in Beit Ula, west of Hebron, in a 21 square meters room above a parking lot. The library was established in 1994 and is volunteer-based, with a very engaged and active management team. It has 4159 books and 30 audio resources in Arabic and English. The number of books borrowed monthly is 40, and the library has 253 members. The two employees have both received training, but the library has no computerised lending system.
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Dura Municipal Library
This library was established in 2013 and has a 300 square meters space in a building owned by the municipality of Dura. The library houses 6000 books in addition to periodicals. Approximately 100 books are borrowed monthly, and the library can accommodate 40 users at once. The library’s one staff member holds an M.A. in political science. The library has one computer and does not use a computerised lending system but it's building is in a very good shape.
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Halhul Municipal Library
This library was established in 2010 at the Halhul Women’s Charitable Society, and was moved to a municipality-owned building in the city centre in 2012. Its area now covers 100 square meters and it contains 6000 books. Despite having 200 members, the library’s borrowing rate does not exceed 20 books per month. The library has a computerised system and is managed by one staff member.
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Hebron Municipal Public Library
Established in 1970 in 750 square meters rented building in the Bab Al Zawyyeh area of Hebron, this library contains 60,000 books, journals and periodicals as well as audio-visual materials in Arabic, English, French, and Russian and even a selection of Braille books. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 300. The library has 2000 members and 10 staff members, some of whom are qualified librarians. The library uses a computerised lending system, has several computers, and is active in organising community events.
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Nahda Cultural Forum Association Library (closed)
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Sa’ir Charitable Society’s Library (closed)
Established in 1998 in a 60 square meters space within the Society’s headquarters in Sa’ir, this library has 3000 books in Arabic and English. The library has neither computers nor a computerised lending system, and is currently closed for financial reasons.
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Tarqumiya Municipal Public Library
This library was established by the municipality of Tarqumiya, a village west of the Hebron governorate, in 2002. The library is relatively small, only 60 square meters, and contains 7800 books and 125 periodicals as well as a collection of children’s books. The library has a computerised system and is managed by one staff member.
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Yatta Municipal Public Library
This library was established in 2000 in Yatta, south of Hebron, and is in a space of 210 square meters. It has 7000 books and 350 members, and the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 20. The library’s one staff member received some training as a librarian. Though the library’s building is in good shape, it lacks computers (it has only one workstation) and does not use a computerised system.
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Arraba Municipal Public Library
Established in 1960s by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, this library closed for several years before its re-opening by the Arraba Municipality in the year 2000. The library is located inside Abdel Qader Abdel Hadi’s mansion home, housed in two large halls with a total area of 150 square meters. It contains 7000 books and 250 old journals, and its estimated monthly borrowing rate is 15-20 books per month. The library has one staff member who has undertaken two training courses in library science, and it has 12 computers for public use. Its members total 275, and the building is in good condition since its renovation a few years ago.
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Az-Zababida Charitable Society Library
This library has served the residents of the town of Az-Zababida and students of the American University of Jenin since 1979. Its space covers 180 square meters and contains 5500 books, most of which were donated by international and local organizations. In general, the books need renewal and restoration, and the library’s borrowing numbers are very low. There is one trained staff member working at the library, and though the lending system is not computerised, the space contains several computers for public use.
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Jenin Municipal Public Library
This library was established in 1967 and is located on the 450 square meters second floor of a rented building in Jenin. The library uses a computerised system, has 3500 members, and contains around 23,000 books. Most of them, however, are very old. Of the seven staff members, two hold diplomas in library science, and the library organises a range of activities such as story-reading, book discussions, creative writing courses, and others. The building is visited daily by around 50 people, but its ceiling, the stairs leading up to it and its external walls are in bad shape, all of which constitutes a threat to public safety.
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Silat Adh-Dhahr Youth Club Library
This library is attached to a sports club in Silat Adh-Dhahr, a village south of Jenin. Established in 1999, it is located on the 100 square meters second floor of the building, accessible only by a steep staircase. The library has around 7000 books, mostly donations from a group of organisations, and the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 20. The library is not always open and does not use a computerised lending system. It is staffed by a single volunteer who is a qualified librarian.
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Ti’innik Village Council Library
The library is located on the second floor of the village council building in the town of Ti’innik, west of Jenin. It is basically one small room, only 40 square meters, containing a few bookshelves. Despite the fact that the library was established very recently in 2009, and contains 4000 books, journals, and audio-visual materials in both Arabic and English, it has very low attendance and subscription and the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is only 5. The library’s one staff member is not a specialist, and it has neither computers nor a computerised lending system. The library was closed during our visit.
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Ad-Duyuk Al Foqa Library
This library is located in the town of Ein Ad-Duyuk Al Foqa north of Jericho city, taking up two rooms in a building owned by the local council. A collection of 1500 books, the library was established in 2008 and though it does not use a computerised system, it does have two computers and one non-specialised employee. The library also organises a range of various societal activities.
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Al Oja Municipal Library
The Al Oja library is a 150 square meters space within the Al Oja municipality building, north-east of Jericho. Though established in 2008, the library did not open until 2011. The library contains 850 books, in both Arabic and English, and the estimated number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is 40. The library system is not computerised, and one staff member, who has undertaken two training courses, is employed.
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Jericho Municipal Public Library
Originally established in 1975, the library was relocated in 2005 to a new independent building, with a total area of 600 square meters. The library currently contains more than 14,000 books in several languages, and with a relatively high attendance rate at 2500 subscribers, the library's average borrowing rate per month is 150 books. The library has seven employees, three of whom have undertaken specialist training courses, and has a computerised borrowing system. It is also responsible for organising a range of community activities.
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Al Budeiryyah Library (closed)
This library was established by Sheikh Muhammad Bin Al Budeiri, a Sufi scholar who died in the late eighteenth century. Located next to Al Harm Al Shareef, it is considered one of the smallest manuscript libraries in the Old City of Jerusalem. Many of its manuscripts have been lost over time, but the library still holds around 1200 manuscripts and 2200 books – mostly the writings and poems of Sheikh Mohammad Al Budeiri, as well as the private book collection he amassed from booksellers and Jerusalemite families. The library was renovated in the year 2003 and the family plans to reopen it to the public; they also intend to digitise its contents and make them publicly available online.
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Al-Mintar Cultural Centre Library
(closed)
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Al Zawyyeh Al Azbakiyyeh Library (closed)
The Al Zawyyeh Al Azbakiyyeh library is located in the ancient building of the Naqshabandi School for Sufism, on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. It is now the house of Sheikh Abdel Aziz Al Bukhari, who settled in Jerusalem in the year 1916 and collected books pertaining to Sufism. 200 manuscripts have now been scanned, and Bashir Barakat published a catalogue of the library’s manuscripts in the year 2003. In 2010, Sheikh Abdel Aziz Al Bukhari passed away and family conflict threatened the existence of the library; its fate is currently unknown.
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Biddu Public Library (closed)
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Dar Isa’af Al Nashashibi for Culture, Arts, and Literature
(Dar Al Tifel Al Arabi)
The 21,000 books held in this library are in English, Arabic and Hebrew, and are mostly from the private libraries of famous Jerusalem dignitaries such as Ishaq Mousa Al Husseini, Aref Al Aref, and Fawzi Yousef; they also need maintenance. The library has journals and newspaper archives dating back to 1901, including various Palestinian newspapers, and there are also old historic documents some of which date back to the Abbasid and Umayyad eras. The library was established in 1990 and fills 296 square meters in the Dar Al Tifl Al Arabi Institute in Jerusalem, in the Sheikh Jarrah area. It provides services to researchers and the general public, but does not permit the borrowing of books. Its three employees have degrees in different fields, and one is a trained librarian. The library has six computers and uses a computerised system, and it organises book discussions once every three weeks.
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Fahmi Al Ansari Library (closed)
This library is located on the lower floor of Sheikh Fahmi Al Ansari’s house, in the Al Shayyah neighborhood in the Ras Al Amoud area of Jerusalem. The library has 35,000 books, journals, newspapers, and 30 microfilms, all in very bad condition without access to natural light. The area allocated for preserving the books and for reading is very tight, and the library has been damaged by several incidents, the most prominent of which were the floods in 1990. The library was established by Fahmi Al Ansari, who started collecting books at the age of 16; most of these concerned the history of the city of Jerusalem, but Al Ansari continued to compile books and newspapers until the age of 75 despite the limited available space. The library is currently in dire need of a new and more appropriate space – though the library has been renovated, it is still not large enough to accommodate the whole collection. Fahmi Al Ansari, however, insists on keeping the library in the vicinity of the Old City to serve the local residents, and since 2014 most of the books have been kept in boxes due to the limited space, making access to them impossible.
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The Arab Though Forum Library
(closed)
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Khalidi Library
Haj Ragheb Al Khalidi founded this library in the year 1899, in a period when families in Jerusalem had started a tradition of establishing libraries. It was designed to promote education and stimulate interest in major books in Islamic studies and contemporary topics, and fills two Mamluk buildings. Considered one of the best private libraries in Jerusalem, it has 1800 valuable ancient manuscripts and is distinguished by its possession of manuscripts dating back to the Middle Ages; its most ancient book is from the thirteenth century. The library does not have regular opening hours.
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Askar Youth Social Centre Library (temporarily closed)
This library was established in 1959 in a small section of the youth centre in the Askar refugee camp north-east of Nablus. The library contains 1300 books in Arabic and English, but has no computers and it does not provide lending services. The library is closed temporarily due to internal renovations at the centre.
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Huwwara Municipal Library
This library is housed in a building belonging to the Huwwara municipality south of Nablus. It was established in the year 2004 in a 36 square meters space, and now contains 1400 books in Arabic and English, most of which need restoration and renovation. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 70 and the library members total 50, mainly students. The library has one trained employee.
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Nablus Municipal Public Library
A large institution established in 1960, this library located in an old building in the city centre. Its several floors cover 3000 square meters and there is a beautiful outdoor garden. The library has 125,000 books, journals, and audio-visual resources in several languages, as well as an impressive archive documenting the history of the city of Nablus. This includes copies of Arab newspapers, historic documents, and municipality files dating back to the 1920s. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 4000, and the number of members is 26,000. Its staff is the largest of all the libraries in Palestine, totaling 37: 6 are fully trained, while 30 hold degrees in other scientific fields. The library organises a number of community and children’s activities, such as writing forums.
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Sabastiya Municipal Library
This library is located in the historic town of Sabastiya, north-west of Nablus, near the municipality building. It is a small community library serving the town’s school students and those of neighbouring schools. Containing 4200 books in Arabic and English languages, it was established in the year 1998 and is open to the public. Borrowing books is not preconditioned by library membership, and about 200 are borrowed per month. It has one, university-educated employee and it does not use a computerised lending system. The library organises activities such as art workshops, writing and cultural contests, and craft sessions.
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Al Birr wal Islah Charitable Society Library (closed)
Located in ‘Azzun, east of Qalqilya, within the Society’s building, this library was established in 2005 in an 80 square meters space. Its 2000 books in Arabic and English were donated by a number of local and charitable organisations, and though the library was very active in the past, it is currently closed due to financial reasons and lack of demand.
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Qalqilya Municipal Library
This library was established in 1978 and was moved to a new model building in the year 2000 with an area of 900 square meters and several floors. The library has 18,000 books in addition to audio-visual resources in several languages. The library has a large turnout and the number of books borrowed on a monthly basis is estimated at 250, while the number of members is 3800. The library has 16 employees, three of whom are trained librarians; the others hold degrees in other fields but have received some training in library sciences. The library has a variety of sections and an archives section, a children’s corner, and computers available for use by library visitors. The library uses a computerised system and organises a number of activities for the local community.
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Al Bireh Municipal Public Library
Al Bireh Municipal Library is a large and comprehensive library established in 1966. Its several floors cover a total area of 1200 square meters, and house 47,000 books and 3000 journals in Arabic, English, and French. An estimated 2500 books are borrowed monthly and the library has 1800 members and of its eight staff members, most have received specialist training. The library uses a computerised system and is distinguished by its community activities and events.
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Al Jalazon Youth Centre’s Library
This library has served the residents of Al Jalazon refugee camp, north-east of Ramallah, and its surrounding areas since 2006. It consists of one 12 square meters room containing 300 books donated by UNRWA; it is seldom visited and the number of books borrowed monthly is an estimated 25. The library relies on volunteers and uses a computerised lending system.
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Al Mawared Centre Library
(Tamer Institute for Community Education)
Now containing 14,000 books, audio-visual resources, research materials, and recordings concerning children’s culture and literature in various languages, this library was established in 1997 in a 300 square meters space in Ramallah. Initially a public library, it was re-indexed in 2008 as specialising in children’s literature, and has 199 members. The library has two employees, one of whom is a trained librarian.
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Al-Tayba Municipal Library
The Al-Tayba Municipal Library is located on the first floor of an old Ottoman building in Taybeh, east of Ramallah. The library was established in 1999 and is housed in a very small room in need of renovation. It has 3000 books, mostly donated by organisations, and one staff member. Visiting numbers are very low: the number of books borrowed monthly is 50, while the number of members is 200. The library organises a range of community activities, particularly for children.
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Beituniya Municipal Public Library
This library was established only last year (2014), in a new 340 square meters building. As well as a children’s section and a computer lab, the library contains 3000 books in several languages, including donated books in Indian language. Two non-specialist staff currently manage the library, but it is not yet fully in operation.
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Birzeit Municipal Public Library (closed)
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Qarawat Bani Zeid Club’s Library (closed)
The library is located on the first floor of sports club in Qarawat Bani Zeid, north of Ramallah. Established in 1997, it is now effectively a neglected room with a few bookshelves and has been closed for financial and administrative reasons. It still contains 2500 books.
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Qattan Centre for Educational Research and Development’s Library
Established in 2000 in Ramallah in a 200 square meters space attached to the Abdel Mohsin Al-Qattan Foundation, this library has 17,500 books, 3500 journals, 500 audio-visual resources, and four databases in Arabic and English. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 350, and the number of members is 1375. The library’s primary role is the provision of reference materials in the fields of education and humanities, and it also works to provide the latest Arabic and foreign publications. The library organises various activities including film screenings, book launches, encounters with writers and artists.
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Ramallah Public Library
This library was established in 1957 and is currently located in an independent multi-floor building covering 500 square meters. Its 50,000 books and 150 periodicals are in Arabic, English, and French. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 850, and the number of members is a healthy 9000. The library is active in organising community activities and uses a computerised lending system. Of its 11 staff members, 4 are specialist librarians, and the majority of the staff members have received some training.
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The Institute for Palestinian Studies Library (Ramallah)
This library was established in 2009 in a 50 square meters area within the IPS branch office in Ramallah. The library has around 5000 books in addition to a collection of journals, the most important of which is the Journal of Palestinian Studies. The books in the library focus primarily on the issue of Arab-Israeli conflict. Researchers and interested individuals can visit the library and benefit from its services but cannot borrow books; library visitors are estimated at 20 people per month, mostly university students, post-graduate students, and researchers. The library has two employees and three computers, one for administrative use and the other two available to the public.
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The Palestinian Legislative Council Library
This library is located in the PLC building in Ramallah and has a second branch in Gaza. It was established in 1997 in a 200 square meters space, and has 20,000 books, 35 periodicals, and 120 audio-visual resources. The number of books borrowed monthly is estimated at 70. Six staff members are employed, two of whom are trained librarians. The library uses a computerised system and has 357 members.
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Abdel Qader Abu Nab’aa Cultural Centre’s Library
This library is located in the town of Az-Zawiya, south-west of Nablus, in a 20 square meters section of a building that belongs to the municipality and is in need of renovation. The library was established in 2009 and now contains 4000 books; the average monthly borrowing rate is 200 books. Like the building, the books need renewing and repairing, but the library has only one partially-trained staff member. It does not have a computerised system, nor does it own any computers.
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Biddya Municipal Public Library
This library was established in 2000 Biddya, south-west of Nablus, in a 135 square meters space. The library provides services to the town and the surrounding villages, and its collection contains 1000 books, largely donated and in need of restoration. Only 23 books are borrowed monthly, while the number of members is 270. The library does not have a computerised system, though its single staff member has a B.A. in computer programming.
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Salfit Municipal Library
The Salfit Muncipal Library was established in 1998 in a 360 square meters building containing around 26,000 books, many donated. The library has 2000 members, but the number of books borrowed monthly does not exceed 50. A computerised lending system is in place and is managed by five employees, only one of whom is trained in library science.
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Sarta Cultural Library
This cultural library consists of a 50 square meters hall in a building belonging to the village council club in Sarta, south-west of Nablus. The library was established in 2013 via a partnership between the Sarta village council and the Sarta Graduates’ Club. The library has 2000 books, which may only be read in the library. There is one trained employee, and visitor numbers are low.
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Ibn Rushd Library
The Ibn Rushd library was established in 2008 in a 50 square meters hall in Al-Aqabah village, east of Tubas, and is is managed by the Society of Rural Women there. It contains 5000 books in addition to a collection of magazines, periodicals, and films, of which an estimated 50 books are borrowed monthly. The number of library members is 150, and the library has one employee who has received specialist training.
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Tammun Municipal Library
This library was established in 2011 in a 15 square meters space in the centre of Tammun, south of Tubas. Its 3600 were donated by various organisations, and it has 195 members. The space needs renovation and the library has one trained employee.
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The Women’s Social Centre Society Library – Al-Far’a refugee camp
This is a small library hosted in an UNWRA-owned building in Al-Far’a refugee camp. It was established in the early 2000 in a 50 square meters space, and contains 1000 books; the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 200, while the members total 300. The library’s one part-time employee has undertaken a training course, but the library has only one computer and no computerised system. The library is in need of painting, and air-conditioning would make it more accessible in summer.
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Allar Municipal Library (closed)
This library is located near the ‘Allar municipality, north of Tulkarm. It was established in 2014 in a 290 square meters space within a larger building, but is currently closed for financial reasons. The 2000 books in the library, which are in both Arabic and English, are shelved, but they are effectively abandoned and unorganised.
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Anabta Municipal Public Library
This library was established in 1997 in ‘Anabta, east of Tulkarm. The space is 670 square meters and contains 14,000 books. The estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 100, members total 450, and the library organises various community activities. Its system is computerized, and its two-employees are not trained.
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Kafr Zibad Sports’ Club Library (closed)
This is a small community library. It was established in 1996 in Kafr Zibad, south-east of Tulkarm, in a 40 square meters space affiliated with the sports club. The library has 1000 books in Arabic and English, and the estimated number of books borrowed monthly is 50. The library does not use a computerised system and is in need of repairs; it is currently closed for financial reasons.
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Tulkarm Municipal Library
The Tulkarm Municipal Library is comparatively old and large: established in 1956, it closed and then reopened in 1976. It occupies a 1000 square meters space in the centre of the Tulkarem vegetable market. The library has 3500 books in addition to audio-visual resources, maps, manuscripts, and slides. The members total 6000, while the monthly borrowing rate is 600 books. The library has nine employees, four of whom are trained, and uses a computerised system, but the library building itself requires repairs as it currently suffers from leaks and poor lighting.
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Zeita Muncipal Library (closed)
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An image taken in the Khalidi Library, which was established by Haj Ragheb Al-Khalidi (second from the right) in 1900.
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