Palestinian and Jordanian National Libraries Forge Cooperation Agreement

Ramallah: The Palestinian National Library and the Royal Jordanian Hashemite Documentation Center have officially signed a cooperation protocol aimed at bolstering intellectual and cultural heritage exchanges between Jordan and Palestine. According to Maan News Agency, the signing ceremony took place in Amman, Jordan, with key figures such as Issa Qaraqe, Director of the Palestinian National Library, and Dr. Muhannad Al-Mubaideen, Director General of the Royal Jordanian Hashemite Documentation Center, in attendance. The event was also graced by the presence of Reham Al-Masri, deputy to Dr. Al-Mubaideen, and Mr. Suleiman Al-Shaqirat, Director of the Department of Manuscripts Conservation and Restoration. The agreement underscores a mutual recognition of the historical and cultural ties between the Jordanian and Palestinian peoples. Both institutions emphasized their commitment to enhancing access to their nations' intellectual and cultural resources and to solidifying a cooperative relationship that will enr ich both communities. The collaboration will focus on several key areas including the development of library services, archives, and manuscript preservation. Additionally, the protocol includes provisions for the exchange of expertise in training library and archives staff, sharing of books, research materials, periodicals, and documents, and the co-organization of seminars and conferences related to library sciences and heritage conservation. This partnership is expected to significantly contribute to the cultural and educational enrichment of both Jordanian and Palestinian societies by making a wide range of cultural and historical resources more accessible to the public and by fostering professional exchanges that will enhance the capabilities of library and archives staff in both countries.