Amman, July 29 (Petra) The 3rd International Conference of the Jordan
Library and Information Association (JLIA) 2026, themed : “Libraries
and Innovation in Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Toward a
Sustainable Societal Impact”,” commenced on Wednesday.

Held at the Royal Cultural Center and Jerash Cultural Center, the
event is part of the 40th Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts.

Sponsored by Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh, the two-day
conference will discuss the libraries’ role in keeping pace with
digital transformation and artificial intelligence, enhancing social
responsibility, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDG).

The activities will also highlight the role of knowledge institutions
in shaping the future, with participation of researchers and experts
from Jordan, other Arab countries, and beyond.

In their interventions, speakers said libraries are “crucial and
active” knowledge-related institutions serving society, citing their
their growing role in supporting the SDG and promoting social
responsibility.

These experts also called for employing modern technologies and
artificial intelligence in developing knowledge and information
services.

Deputizing for Rawashdeh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of
Culture, Dr. Nidal Ayasrah, stated the conference reflects Jordan’s
“prominent” role in hosting Arab and international intellectual
dialogues, noting its contribution to supporting innovation, digital
transformation, and steps to strengthen scientific and professional
partnerships.

Ayasrah expressed hope the conference would produce recommendations
for developing libraries, serving researchers, and promoting social
responsibility and sustainable development.

Ayasrah also commended the launch of the JLIA’s digital platform,
which is a “valuable” addition to development of professional
services.

He praised partnerships with specialized companies from Jordan, the
UAE, and Saudi Arabia, which would provide digital solutions,
databases, and smart technologies for libraries and academic and
cultural institutions.

//Petra// AG