Amman —The National Library Department, in cooperation with the Jordan Library and Information Association and the Knowledge Production and Cultural Publishing Association, will celebrate National Reading Day 2026 next Tuesday at the department’s headquarters, as part of a diverse cultural and knowledge program that includes the free distribution of more than 10,000 books to visitors.
اضافة اعلان
The event will be held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh and highlights the importance of reading and its role in building a knowledge-based society, strengthening the presence of books and libraries in the cultural scene and everyday life, and highlighting the rapid changes taking place in the production and accessibility of knowledge, particularly amid the growing development of artificial intelligence technologies and digital platforms.
The National Reading Day program includes a range of cultural and educational activities, most notably storytelling sessions for children and an “Authors’ Corner,” which will give writers and authors an opportunity to introduce their publications and engage directly with readers, as well as sign and dedicate copies of their books to visitors. The program will also feature a number of intellectual and discussion sessions exploring the future of books, reading and libraries amid the digital transformation.
A discussion session at 4:30 p.m. will address the topic, “The book and the library in the age of artificial intelligence: The end of their role or the beginning of a transformation?” It will be moderated by Jordan Library and Information Association President Dr. Imad Abu Eid, with the participation of National Library Department Director General Firas Al-Dharabih, Library and Information Science Professor Dr. Rabhi Alyan, and University of Jordan Library Director Dr. Mujahid Al-Dhunibat.
The session will examine the impact of artificial intelligence on knowledge production and access, the future of traditional books, and changing roles of libraries. It will also address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in scientific research, the new skills required by library and information specialists, and the potential for libraries to move beyond their traditional service-oriented roles toward more active roles in knowledge creation and innovation.
At 6 p.m., the program will also feature an intellectual discussion titled “Who shapes awareness today: The writer or the digital platform?” The session will be moderated by Dr. Rabhi Alyan and feature Hiba Jawhar, senior producer at Al-Mamlaka TV, writer and journalist Majdi Al-Tal, and Ministry of Education educational supervisor Dr. Faisal Al-Ghuwayeen.
The session will examine the rapid changes taking place in the cultural and media landscape, the influence of digital platforms on shaping public awareness and producing knowledge, and the role of writers within the new digital environment. It will also address the challenges and opportunities these transformations present for cultural, educational and media institutions.
The “Authors’ Corner” will have a dedicated space during the event, aiming to introduce Jordanian publications and highlight the intellectual and cultural output of local authors. It will also provide readers with an opportunity to meet writers, learn about their experiences and publications, and have books signed and dedicated, strengthening the direct connection between writers and readers and supporting the presence of Jordanian books in the cultural scene.
National Reading Day activities are being held in cooperation with the Greater Amman Municipality, Raseef Al-Thaqafa and Al-Yazouri Scientific Publishing House, with the participation of a number of cultural and knowledge institutions.
National Reading Day aims to establish reading as a regular and deeply rooted daily and cultural practice, strengthen the position of books in society, and provide people from different backgrounds with free access to books. It also seeks to open a knowledge-based dialogue on the future of books, libraries and reading in an era of digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The National Library Department will welcome visitors, families, school students, readers and those interested in cultural and knowledge affairs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. next Tuesday. The event will provide a cultural and knowledge-focused atmosphere celebrating books and reaffirming that reading remains one of the fundamental pillars of building individuals and society.
