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
