What is Assabil?

Assabil, the Friends of Public Libraries, is a nongovernmental organization that was founded in 1997 to establish and support public libraries in Lebanon that are free and open to everyone. Throughout our history, we have been guided by the principles that are contained in the 1994 UNESCO Public Library Manifesto.

Assabil is a membership association; a seven-member administrative committee manages the operations of the association. Assabil seeks to establish a network of public libraries in Beirut, to expand the services and activities that are available at public libraries, and is working to develop and strengthen the network of public libraries in Lebanon.