Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation.

Home

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Public Library

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation - the arm of the Arab Bank for cultural and social responsibility – established the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library in 1986, as the first fully equipped and computerized public library in Jordan, due to its inherent belief in the vital role public libraries play in the lives of nations and societies and because it aligns with its vision to promote arts and literature and offers various conventional and innovative knowledge sources to researchers and the public.

About the Public Library

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Library was launched as the first fully equipped and computerized public library in Jordan offering various conventional and innovative knowledge sources, to researchers and the public. The library offers a cultural space for all sectors of society, as well as establishing the first interactive library for children - the Knowledge Path Library. The library caters to visitors with disabilities and provides many ethical and set design approaches to ensure their right to accessing knowledge. The Foundation also established and supported many libraries throughout Jordan and the Palestinian districts, to reach beneficiaries beyond the library's doors.

The library has subscribed to many databases that include thousands of articles, periodicals, books, and theses in various fields of knowledge, most of which are full-text, and facilitated access to library visitors by providing dedicated tools in the library and making them available outside the library, in addition to launching its electronic library platform enabling its members to borrow e-books through their own devices.

As a forum for cultural and societal engagement, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library holds plenty of events such as, reading programs to publicize books, hosts reading club meetings, organizes workshops and training courses to develop the skills of individuals and enhance their creative capabilities, and holds educational sessions in the field of innovation, technology, and library services. The library also launched several new programs to encourage reading and create a space for discussion, dialog, in addition to cultural and knowledge exchange, both locally and remotely, and opened a fully equipped café to serve its visitors and members. The library also organizes courses and workshops aimed at educating and coaching librarians from all over the Arab world, leading the way for these type of workshops in the Arab world, in addition to providing training and qualification programs for library and information science students, out of its belief in the potential of people to make a difference in their communities.

Target Audience
The library offers all of its services and programs free of charge to all members of the community, ages 17 and older, with no restrictions on who can use them.

Partners

Because of the importance of collaboration and exchange between libraries and those interested in library science, the library established partnerships with many libraries and scientific and cultural centers, on a national, and international level.
The library also works with many partners from publishing houses, the Jordan Library Association, the Faculty of Information and Library Sciences at Jordanian universities, Self-development and Life Skills Trainers, local and international library specialists and experts, information technology specialists, reading clubs, authors, and writers.
This collaboration establishes a cultural connection between the partners and the institution. We increase the value of an individual's creative work by publishing it through a number of famous publishing companies, as well as delivering the most significant books and knowledge that the reader requires on their knowledge journey.

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Branches

The Foundation has been working since its inception to reach its services to all members of society in different areas of their presence, and in an effort to reach these services for all individuals and achieve the goal of spreading knowledge in all places and ensuring that beneficiaries in several areas outside the main building of the library in Jabal Amman have their right to know and enjoy programs and services, new branches of the library were established, the first of which is the Ashrafieh branch inside the campus of Al-Bashir Hospital, then the Zarqa branch, in partnership with the Greater Zarqa Municipality in Zarqa Governorate, located in the Army Street / Hashemite Hall. A branch in Muqabalain, in partnership with the Greater Amman Municipality located inside King Abdullah II Park, then followed to be the latest branch of Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Libraries.

The library offers many of its programs and services in the branches in addition to the inter-branch lending service, where the beneficiary can request to borrow the book from any branch and return it to the branch closest to it.

Jabal Amman Library Facilities

Visitors Meeting Room

The library provides its members and all library goers an enclosed and quiet space. A group of participants can also reserve the meeting room to use it in their meetings and manage it by discussing, talking, and communicating together, and this hall comes far from the whereabouts of the pioneers so that their discussions do not affect the rest of the visitors and beneficiaries inside the library, and that the two parties enjoy a comfortable environment.

To serve its valued members, the Foundation has allocated a meeting room within the following policies and guidelines:
● It is not allowed to use the hall for political or partisan work or personal benefit.
● The minimum number of people to use the hall is 3 people, and the maximum is 8 people.
● The hall is reserved by library members by presenting the membership card and filling out the reservation form.
● The hall is reserved by the responsible employee well in advance of the scheduled date of the meeting, stating the purpose of the meeting.
● Maximum 3 hours of use.
● Please adhere to the meeting date and time.
● The attendees are obligated to preserve the holdings of the meeting room and to follow the library's instructions and the staff's instructions.

Quiet hall

This room is designed to meet the needs of the pioneers by creating a completely quiet space for individual study and reading within the following policies and instructions:
● It is strictly forbidden to speak in the room.
● It is strictly forbidden to answer phone calls.
● The maximum capacity of this room is 32 seats, so we apologize for entering any person beyond this number.
● The room is monitored by cameras, so all usage instructions are considered.
● Maintaining cleanliness and the room's belongings shall be considered.
● It is strictly prohibited to make any sound from the mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or any other device used by the beneficiary inside the room.
● A seat with a height of 90 cm has been allocated for the use of beneficiaries with mobility disabilities only, so this right is respected.
● All instructions for using the library should be adhered to in the complete quiet room.

Rumi in the library
Serving the patrons of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, a branch of Rumi Café was opened inside the library. This café came to create an intimate space for its visitors with a delicious menu of food and drinks.

Prayer Room

There is a prayer room in the library so that patrons can perform prayers, emphasizing the necessity of adhering to the usage instructions.

Ashrafieh Library Facilities

Visitors Meeting Room

The library provides its members and all library goers with an enclosed and quiet space. A group of participants can also reserve the meeting room to use it in their meetings and manage it by discussing, talking and communicating together, and this hall comes far from the whereabouts of the pioneers so that their discussions do not affect the rest of the visitors and beneficiaries inside the library, and that the two parties enjoy a comfortable environment.
To serve its valued members, the Foundation has allocated a meeting room within the following policies and guidelines:
● It is not allowed to use the hall for political or partisan work or personal benefit.
● The minimum number of people to use the hall is 3 people, and the maximum is 8 people.
● The hall is reserved by library members by presenting the membership card and filling out the reservation form.
● The hall is reserved by the responsible employee well in advance of the scheduled date of the meeting, stating the purpose of the meeting.
● Maximum 3 hours of use.
● Please adhere to the meeting date and time period.
● The attendees are obligated to preserve the holdings of the meeting room and to follow the library's instructions and the staff's instructions.

Zarqa Library Facilities

Visitors Meeting Room

The library provides its members and all library-goers with an enclosed and quiet space. A group of participants can also reserve the meeting room to use in their meetings and manage it by discussing, talking, and communicating together.

Outdoor space

The library provides outdoor space which will be used by the library to make scientific and cultural activities.

You can check the library services by clicking here

Library at Creativity Club Karak

Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation started to provide its services in the Creativity Club in Karak, in addition to implementing different activities there, it began after signing a contract with the center and activating its library in books, furniture, and equipment.

Library Al Hussein Technical University

Began to provide its services through Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library, in addition to implementing various cultural activities in it, after signing an agreement with the Al Hussien Technical University and equipping and activating its library with thousands of books and resources.

Muqabaleen Library

In December 2023, Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library began operating in Muqableen branch, located in the heart of King Abdullah II's Gardens. The branch consists of a public library, study halls, and surrounding courtyards, and it is characterized by its modernity.

Library holdings
The public library’s holdings amount to about 194,257 books (186,256) books in the Jabal Amman branch, (7501) books in the Ashrafieh branch, and (500) books in the Zarqa branch in both Arabic and English, and collections of current periodicals, audio books, audio-visual materials, maps, and lectures, and publications. The library also subscribes to local and international electronic databases that contain books, articles, and theses.

Working hours

Main Branch – Jabal Amman: from Saturday to Thursday in wintertime (9:00 am – 8:00 pm) in summertime (9:00 am – 9:00 pm)

Ashrafieh branch: from Saturday to Thursday (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM).

Zarqa branch: from Saturday to Thursday (11:00 AM– 7:00 PM).

Creativity Club Karak: from Saturday to Thursday (8:00 AM– 3:00 PM).

Muqableen branch: Everyday but Tuesday from (11:00 AM- 7:00 PM).

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library Memberships

Golden Membership

The Golden Membership is dedicated to families, with 706 current memberships.
Membership information:

20 Jordanian Dinars refundable.
Borrow 5 books at a time for a renewable duration of 3 weeks.
Borrow E-books from our electronic library.
Meeting room reservation
Access to quite rooms
Access to electronic database (articles and books) remotely.
Priority to registration in workshops and trainings.
Access to the library computers
Library awards

You can upgrade your current membership to the "Golden Membership" by paying the difference in fees. Become a member now.

Institutions Membership

Dedicated to companies and entities that have a commercial registry and are registered with the Social Security Corporation. AHSF currently has 181 memberships under the "Institutions Membership".

Membership information:

Refundable 10 Jordanian Dinars.
Borrow 10 books at a time for a renewable duration of 2 weeks.
Borrow E-books from our electronic library.
Meeting room reservation
Access to quite rooms

To subscribe, an official letter from the institution indicating its desire for membership and the name of its authorized representative is needed. To visit one of our locations to subscribe, click here.

Normal Membership

Dedicated to individuals and their families from the age of 16 and up, with 45,083 current memberships.

Membership information:

Refundable 10 Jordanian Dinars.
Borrow 3 books at a time for a renewable duration of 2 weeks.
Borrow E-books from our electronic library.
Meeting room reservation
Access to quite rooms
Access to electronic database (articles and books) remotely.
Priority to registration in workshops and trainings.
Access to the library computers
Library awards

Students Membership

Dedicated to school and university students between the ages of 16 and 25, with 150 current memberships.

Membership information:

Refundable 5 Jordanian Dinars.
Borrow 2 books at a time for a renewable duration of 2 weeks.
Borrow E-books from our electronic library.
Meeting room reservation
Access to quite rooms
Access to electronic database (articles and books) remotely.
Priority to registration in workshops and trainings.
Access to the library computers
Library awards

Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library Ongoing Services

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Library, with its two branches in Jabal Amman and Ashrafieh, strives to enhance its services and facilities in response to the demands of its patrons and subscribers by offering the following services and facilities, all of which are provided free of charge:

Public Library Membership

The library allows individuals, families, and institutions to subscribe according to specific conditions, and the number of its members has reached about 48 thousand members, in an ideal atmosphere and facilities that help meet the needs of visitors and members and help them by the staff and librarians specialized in it. To obtain membership, click here.

After six months, a member of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library can withdraw his membership and receive a refund of the deposit amount paid by completing a membership withdrawal request.

Ask a Librarian

Where you can send any question or inquiry about the library, its services, and programs during the library's working hours, in addition to live and direct communication with the librarian to share book nominations on the Foundation's social media accounts.

Ask the librarian works to bridge the distance between the library and its patrons, to free itself from the library’s walls and reach all those interested in books from outside of Jordan, by clicking on the message icon that appears on the interface of the library’s website. The program also reviews the library’s programs and services and presents them in a way that breaks the stereotyped image associated with libraries, as the library is no longer a source of information only, but als serves as a cornerstone in building society and improving the well-being of its members. This gives the reader the option of referring to the librarian to nominate books or inquire about anything related to books.

Lending and Return Services

Lending Paper Books

Members of the library can borrow a set number of books for a set amount of time, depending on their membership status. Many books in various languages and themes are available at the library.

Lending Audio Books

Audio books are another way to develop focus and listening skills individuals. In addition to paper resources, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Library provides its patrons with the option to borrow audio book devices as part of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation's endeavor to provide all means of knowledge to its members.

Electronic Library

To make things easy for our readers, and to make the Shoman Library accessible to its visitors no matter where they are, the Foundation has activated a new electronic platform that lets members and non-members of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library and Knowledge Path Library for Children and Youth borrow e-books.

You can now:

1- Through the electronic platform of the Public Library and Knowledge Path for Children and Young People you can borrow e-books:

● If you have a username and password (click here)
● To register on the electronic platform (click here)
● To learn how to register on the electronic system (click here) to watch the introductory video.
● The account will be activated through the activation message sent to your e-mail.

2- You can borrow one e-book for 14 days and reserve one book.

● Browse the online platform
● Browse electronic databases: The library subscribes to various databases that contain thousands of articles, periodicals, books, and theses in various areas of knowledge, most of which are full text, such as the EBSCO database, Al Manhal.
● Request a username and password for the Abjad platform: The Abjad platform, one of the projects in which the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation has supported through a grant, is the first social network for Arab readers, authors, and book lovers.

Tablet Loan

The library offers the service of lending tablets to its patrons, to use some platforms for e-book services such as the Abjad application. The library also offers (laptop holders, tablet holders, and book holders), ask the librarian for any of the above items.

Board Games and Chess in the Library

To promote critical thinking, mental exercises and cognitive entertainment, the library offers a selection of board games and chess, bring your opponent, and come to the library!

Searching Library Resources

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library allows its visitors to search its indexes through two types of search methods: basic search and advanced search; Advanced search for more customization in the selection and accuracy of results by filling in more options about the desired book. Click here to search the library's resources.

WIFI Internet
To provide access to electronic knowledge sources, the library provides free wireless internet services throughout the library, while maintaining the quality and speed of this service to meet the scientific and knowledge research needs of the library patrons.

Electronic Databases

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Library subscribes to many databases that include thousands of articles, periodicals, books, and university theses in various area of knowledge, most of which are full text, to give its researchers access to them.
Members can access these databases through the public library’s computers, or by requesting a username and password from the library helpdesk either in person or by sending a request to the library’s public e-mail: mainlibrary@shoman.org.jo

Use of Internet Devices

The library has computers available to its "Members" with free internet service.
To request this service, please contact the member service team to reserve the device in your name.

Database Tools

To support researchers in accessing thousands of articles, periodicals, books and theses in various branches of knowledge from within the library building. The library provides its members with tools served by databases containing thousands of periodicals, digital and audio books, and university theses in various knowledge topics.

To request this service, please contact the member service team to reserve the designated device, and make it available to you, in addition to providing assistance if needed.

Photocopying Service

The service makes it easy for members to make copies of a certain number of pages from books they need for their research and studies for a nominal fee and within the library building; members can photocopy library materials within the guidelines of protecting intellectual property rights for a nominal fee.

To request this service, please contact the member service team to request a photocopying card or to recharge your existing card to use it to photocopy the pages needed, the team is also available to provide assistance if needed.

Services for people with disabilities (visual impairment, physical impairment, hearing impairment)

To ensure that members with disabilities have right to access knowledge and all the library services, programs and facilities, the library was equipped environmentally and serviced to achieve this by:
● Providing a set of tables with variable heights and seats for people with physical disabilities equipped with strong armrests within the library halls.
● A private seat in an area providing complete silence to ensure access to this service.
● Comfortable spaces for entering and turning around in all library halls and facilities and between bookcases.
● Environmental facilities such as ramba, private parking spaces and a well-equipped toilet.
● Light warning for the hearing impaired.
● A computer equipped with applications, software, and tools to meet the needs of people with visual impairments.
● Braille printer.
● OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
● Magnifier to increase the font size to aid in reading.

To request this service, please contact the member service team to guide you to the area equipped for people with disabilities and provide you with any support needed.

Curbside Library Service

The "Curbside Library Service" was launched on the corner of the street overlooking the foundation’s headquarters in Jabal Amman and Ashrafieh, to popularize reading and as an initiative to provide books for all, in addition to promoting a culture of giving, knowledge exchange and community interaction. The curbside library is made up of bookshelves that the Shoman team fills up daily with diverse books for adults, as well as children’s books.
How the service works: community members borrow books from the curbside library and return them themselves, or replace them with books they have, or by directly donating books and placing them on the bookshelves.

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Pre-booked Services

Ask for Research Resources from the Librarian

To assist library beneficiaries, particularly from outside of Jordan, in obtaining references to support their research and studies, the library offers the service of requesting research resources from the library employee. To obtain specific research materials, please fill our Search Form.

Training and Qualification Program for Library and Information Science Students

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Library receives annually since its establishment and over two semesters a group of library and information science students through its university student field training program, in order to build their capabilities, develop their practical skills and qualify them to keep pace with the needs of the labor market.
How the service works: Students wishing to train in the library apply for the training program, in coordination with the relevant university faculty, and a training schedule is put together that includes the skills, training and tasks required to finish the program within a specific time frame.

Meeting Room Reservation

The library provides its members with a private and quiet space in both the Jabal Amman and Ashrafieh library. A group of members can reserve this room for private meetings so that their discussions do not affect the rest of the visitors and beneficiaries inside the library.
To serve its valued members, the foundation has allocated a meeting room within the following policies and guidelines:
●   It is not allowed to use the meeting room for political, partisan or personal benefit purposes.
●   The minimum number of people to book the room is 3 people, and the maximum number is 8 people.
●   The room is reserved by presenting your membership card to the library staff member and filling out the booking form.
●   The room is reserved by the library staff member well in advance of the scheduled meeting time, and stating the purpose of the meeting.
●   Room can be booked for a maximum 3 hours.
●   Please adhere to the scheduled meeting date and time.
●   The attendees are committed to maintaining the property and adhering to library and staff rules.

Visits to the library

To inform visitors about the library’s different areas, services and facilities, and a summary of the property and programs offered, a library tour is offered.

How the service works: A request for a tour visit is submitted to the library’s service team by e-mail, phone or in-person, stating the date of the visit and confirming the number of attendees.

Open space in the library

It is a space made available from -2021- for library members to express their talents in various literary, cultural, and artistic fields.

If you have a literary, cultural, or artistic talent that you would like to display, click on the form to apply.

Book Club Hosting

The act of reading is not limited to individual reading, but the importance of collective reading is also valuable, as the reader may miss a certain idea that another reader may notice, and here lies the beauty of discussing books among its readers. In 2015, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Library started hosting Jordanian reading clubs that promote reading and interactive cultural discussions revolving around selected books among anyone interested in participating ages 16 and above.
How the service works: The reading club submits a request for hosting a reading circle, and the hosting is arranged, announced, and held in the library meeting room on the specified date and time.

If you are one of the founders of Jordanian book clubs, the public library encourages you to set up your club in our library. Click here

Various Exercises

The role of libraries has shifted and developed remarkably, to move from a source of information or a static place that contains books, to an integrated community center, and to activate its role even more, the library has introduced various exercises that engages visitors who wish to share their experiences in certain areas with the rest of the library goers, making the library a hub for exchanging experiences, enhancing visitors experience and sense of belonging.
How the service works: The library sends a call for anyone interested to volunteer and provide training sessions for library visitors, the trainings are then announced inside the library and through the Foundation’s channels on social media, for people to register and attend.

If you specialize in a specific subject or skill, you can register and volunteer to give a training session on a topic of your choosing to library visitors. To apply please click here.

Recommending books for the library

In the event the library book you are looking for is not found, you can request the library to provide it through the following Link.

How the service works: the beneficiary submits the request electronically through the link, or on paper and hands it over to the library service team. The library will source the book within a certain time frame depending if it is found in Jordan or outside of Jordan and will inform you once the item is available at the library, or will send an apology in the event the book is not available.

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library Programs

Free space in the library

You can submit your talents and shows for the free space by clicking here

You can showcase your talents and presentations in the free space by clicking here. The free space is designed to provide opportunities for talented writers and artists to present activities to the library audience, such as art, literature, entertaining activities, mental games, and other literary, intellectual, scientific, and artistic talents. It also aims to provide opportunities for continuous communication, learning, and inspiration for visitors.

You can apply for the free space by offering artistic presentations, poetry readings, mental games, opportunities for students, mobile technology training, hosting reading clubs, educational workshops in general culture, modern technology, and self-development, professional development, job search techniques, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Terms of applying for the free space include:

Voluntary and free of charge for everyone.
The activity should not exceed one hour.
The space is not available for rent or lending to any party for private activities.
The institution does not provide any support or funding to service providers or activities.
Individuals or entities are not allowed to use the space more than once a month.
Applications should be submitted four weeks prior to the activity from here.

Please note that the library provides presentation tools, internet connectivity, sound system, stage, and seats for attendance. Any additional requirements should be provided by the applicant and mentioned in the application form for approval. The free space is part of the library, and therefore, visitors should follow the instructions for using the public library.

Readings in the library

The library is always keen to be part of society’s literary fabric, and it works to encourage promising writers to contribute by inspiring them to produce knowledge and art.

Since 2014, as part of the library’s reading program, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library has hosted readings for a group of writers, poets and writers and held book signing to publicize their work, this includes reading excerpts from their books. The event takes place on the third Wednesday of every month and open to anyone aged 16 and above click here

Training courses and workshops
The workshops and training program was launched in 2014, in an effort by the foundation to enhance the competencies of its members. One-day training workshops are held periodically in addition to holding training courses in topics that can enhance and develop individuals’ abilities and skills in the fields of scientific research, critical thinking, the art of writing and development of life skills. These workshops are held on Saturdays, and are announced in a timely manner.
Attached is the number of previous workshops and their details click here

Library Symposium
The library constantly and continuously seeks to keep abreast of developments that enhance its role as an engine of change in society. Therefore, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Library holds its annual symposium, which began in 2016 for employees in public libraries, children’s libraries, school libraries, information specialists and library consultants. Under the title "The Library as an Engine of Change", it hosts international experts from different countries of the world to talk about best practices and successful international models for modern libraries and change perceptions about the role that the library plays in the twenty-first century.
Archive of outputs and details of each seminar

Educational sessions
The library has been holding a series of educational sessions since 2017, periodically, online, and remotely, for its members and all interested parties, addressing educational and technological topics and global trends in the fields of innovation and technology.

Poetry Evenings

Given the importance of poetry and its ability to directly influence human emotions, and because poetry has an unquestionable emotional power, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Library launched a program of Poetry Evenings in 2020, both in-person and remotely, for Jordanian and Arab poets to introduce them, develop poetic taste, and encourage the reading of poetry books for all interested individuals aged 16 and above.

Writer and book
The library launched a writer and book program in 2020 to engage the writer in a deep discussion about one of his books, giving the audience the opportunity to learn more about what the writer went through in his learning journey to write a book that became a bestseller, or of important scientific or literary value. The event is held online to enable Jordanian and Arab writers from all over the world to take part in the deep discussion

The foundation works on documenting these discussions and making them available to the public. You can watch all the hosting of the Writer and Book program on our YouTube channel by clicking here

Read in ten: Shoman Reading Competition
The library launched this competition in 2021 as a challenge open to all members and family members who benefit from the public library, whether Jordanian or non-Jordanian to encourage them to read books within their interests and outside of their usual interests to introduce them to different genres over a competitive 10-month period click here

Podcast "x"
In 2021 Shoman launched a regular podcast that hosts guests and sheds light on their varying experiences, that presents topics of a diverse intellectual and philosophical dimension between social, cultural, humanitarian, and scientific fields.
Audio content has become a clear force, and podcasts take an important role in demonstrating this strength, as it combines all of this with the power of technology and social networking sites. When the library decided to present audio content, it decided to launch a podcast Q: A podcast that is issued regularly, hosting and highlighting the experiences of guests and presenting topics of a diverse intellectual and philosophical dimension between social, cultural, humanitarian, and scientific fields click here

Shoman Reading Club

To support reading lovers with space the public library started a new program “Shoman Reading Club” that includes book review sessions, it takes place each 3^rd Thursday of each month at 2:30 pm, participants will discuss their opinion about the books they read, and their writing techniques. Anyone can attend the discussion which will be in the public library.

For more details about Shoman Reading Club, you can visit this calendar click here

Reading Marathon
To encourage reading and create group competition, the library holds a reading marathon. It is an activity that promotes reading in a collective and interactive way, bringing together those interested in one place for a festive presentation. The marathon was launched for the first time in 2020.

A night in the library
Night is a space in heaven and has always been a reader’s paradise, and a night in the library offers an experience that will last a lifetime by providing entertainment, fun, reading and knowledge, in addition to discussing ideas and books. The whole night is filled with lots of fun cultural activities.

Library Bank

Library Bank is a digital cultural competition where participants test their general knowledge and cultural awareness in a competitive and exciting atmosphere that contributes to increasing knowledge and expanding cultural horizons. It also motivates participants to read and research in all scientific and literary fields. The competition ends with the top 3 participants winning prizes in the form of special books selected by the library team for them.

Film and Novel

The idea behind the program is to showcase movies adapted from novels, followed by a discussion that focuses on the consistency between the literary text and the cinematic image.

Share a book review with us
Abdul Hameed Shoman Library is pleased to receive book reviews and different titles for publication on the Foundation's website through its book revision form.

Books with the Librarian

The librarian selects a collection of valuable books to be displayed in the library's recommendation section, to assist you in selecting books to read, which you can either borrow or read in the library.

Library projects
The Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library goes beyond the usual library services, with projects beyond the library's walls, into spaces that reach libraries and cultural projects on the ground and online. Among the projects implemented by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library:

Library Support Project in Jordan
In an effort by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation to expand its services outside the city of Amman and deliver it to other governorates in Jordan, the Shoman Library launched in 1998 a project to support young libraries in the governorates of the Kingdom within a joint cooperation agreement between the Foundation and the municipalities, in addition to many other projects and libraries in which the Foundation cooperated with government and educational agencies and civil society institutions, so that the Foundation commits to providing the requirements for these projects, and assisting in the development of staff skills and automation of the library.

Library Support Project in Palestine
In 1998, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation adopted a project to support municipal libraries in Palestine. It is reported that 36 libraries have benefited from this project, including 14 libraries belonging to major municipalities that have benefited annually. The Foundation covers the costs of purchasing books and library materials in various areas of knowledge, which it selects. The library selects books from book fairs or local publishing houses. The support also includes developing the skills of the staff working in these libraries, as training workshops are held for them annually in Jordan on various topics that help develop their skills and knowledge.

Jordanian Family Library Support Project
In an effort to spread the culture of reading among members of Jordanian society of all ages and in all governorates, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation has provided financial support to the Jordanian Family Library project since the beginning of the project’s launch in 2007 in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Culture, making the most important books available at nominal prices for all.

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Electronic Library

The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation - the arm of the Arab Bank for cultural and social responsibility– has launched an electronic platform to promote the value of reading. The goal is to make reading easier for readers and to improve their knowledge and cultural aspects. The Foundation has built a new electronic platform that allows subscribers and non-subscribers of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library and Knowledge Path Library for children and young people to borrow these books in order to fulfill the philosophy of "Make the library accompany you everywhere."

Browse our electronic library

You can now:

- Through the electronic platform of the Public Library and Knowledge Path for Children and Young People you can borrow e-books:

- You can borrow one e-book for 14 days and reserve one book.

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.

Podcast "X"

A podcast in Arabic that hosts and sheds light on the experiences of guests and presents subjects of a diverse intellectual and philosophical dimension between social, cultural, humanitarian, and scientific domains, which began in 2021 and is produced on a regular basis.

Audio content has emerged as a powerful force, and podcasts play a key part in showcasing this strength by combining all of this with the power of technology and social networking sites. When the library chose to do so, it launched Podcast X.

You can listen to all of Podcast "X" episodes in Arabic by clicking here.

Electronic databases

A list of the most prominent databases the library subscribes to

EBSCO Database
EBSCO is one of the largest and most extensive databases for periodicals and electronic books in academic libraries and research centers in the world, published since 1975 to date in PDF format. A compilation of research from different periodicals issued by many institutions.
EBSCO offers a variety of search tools, including advanced search, by Boolean search or by language, exposed topics, and journal names, which helps users and researchers to find the required topics directly and effortlessly and access the full texts of the topic, the issue of the journal or the author. The EBSCO database includes:

● Communication and media in full text.
The database provides the best research solutions in the fields of communication and media. It provides full content indexing and "importance-selected summaries" of more than 770 titles, as well as full-text content from over 450 journals.

● Local Business News (USA)
The database provides full-text coverage of local business publications within the United States, and consolidated coverage of local business news for over 80 business publications, covering all urban and rural areas within the United States.

● Legal Group
This database contains the full text of more than 250 international legal scientific journals. This legal group is a reliable source of information on current global legal issues, studies, ideas, and trends.

● Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Group
It is a comprehensive database covering topics dealing with psychological and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental processes, anthropology, methods of observation and experiment. This database also provides full-text coverage of nearly 400 journals.

● Professional Development Group
A database designed for teachers and professional educators, it provides around 520 high-quality, specialized educational journals, including more than 350 peer-reviewed papers. It also contains more than 200 educational reports.

● Libraries, Science, and IT Summaries
This database contains indexing of more than 560 journals: In addition to books, reports and research procedures. Topics covered include library, classification, cataloging, statistical analysis, online information retrieval and management, and much more. Coverage in this database dates back to the mid-1960s.

● Comprehensive Academic Research
This database contains more than 8,500 full-text journals, including more than 7,300 refereed journals. In addition to providing the full text, this database provides indexing and summaries for more than 12,500 journals and a total of more than 13,200 publications.

● Comprehensive Business Resources
Provides a leading collection of bibliographic and full-text informational content. As part of its comprehensive coverage, this database also contains indexes and summaries of the most important scholarly journals dating back to 1886. Cited references for more than 1,300 journals are also searchable.

● Computers and applied sciences in full text
This base covers the broad spectrum of research and development in the fields of applied and computational sciences. It also provides indexing and summaries for nearly 2,200 academic journals, professional publications, and various other reference sources, as well as the full text of more than 1,000 journals.

● Medline full-text database

Medline full-text database is the most comprehensive source for full-text medical journals in the world, providing the full text of more than 1,470 indexed journals, including more than 1,450 journals fully indexed, of which 558 cannot be found in full text in any of the following publications: Academic Research, Health Source or Biomedical Reference Collection

● Job and Occupation Group
This database is designed for professional and technical libraries serving secondary schools, community colleges, commercial institutions, and general users. This database provides full-text coverage of nearly 340 trade and industry journals.

● Full text environment database
This database contains more than 2.4 million records for more than 2,200 national and international titles dating back to 1888, including more than 1,350 headline titles, as well as more than 190 specialized scholarly papers, in addition to containing full texts from more than 920 journals.

● Educational research database in full text
It is the largest online database of educational research. It includes topics covered at all levels of education from early childhood to higher education and provides indexing and summaries for more than 2,100 journals, as well as full-text for more than 1,200 journals, and full-text for nearly 500 textbooks and research papers.

● Literary Reference Center
The Literary Reference Center contains the full texts of more than 35,000 summaries, reviews, and ratings, nearly 100,000 articles of literary criticism, over 460 literary journals, more than 693,000 book reviews and ratings, nearly 78,000 classic and contemporary poems, and more than 19,600 classic and contemporary short stories, over 6,500 author interviews, over 8,200 classic texts, and more.

● SocIndex (Sociology) full-text database
Contains the full text of more than 860 journals dating back to 1908, in addition to the full text of more than 830 specialized books and papers, and the full text of more than 16,800 conference papers.

● ERIC (Educational Information Resource Center) database
This database provides access to educational science resources, containing more than 1.3 million records, in addition to providing access to various data from journals included in the educational index.

● CINAHL full-text database
It is a complete collection of nursing and allied health journals, providing more than 610 indexed journals. It is a secure, complete collection of many of the most frequently used journals in the CINAHL Index, dating back to 1981.

● E-Book Database (EBSCOhost)
Search and view full text of e-books.

● Academic E-Book Collection (EBSCOhost)
This collection contains a large selection of multidisciplinary e-books, representing a wide range of academic subjects, and is complementing and supplementary to any academic collection.

● Source for Arab World Research
It is a specialized resource group of scientific journals, refereed journals, trade publications, industrial information, international reports, market research reports, and conference papers related to the Arab world. This database contains the full texts of more than 140 peer-reviewed scientific publications, and most journals contain full texts in Arabic.

● A group of electronic books in Arabic

● Search and view full-text e-books.

● Consumer Health Information Database in Arabic
This database provides articles about common medical conditions and procedures in a way that is easy to understand.

● English language teaching resource
It is an online English language learning center that serves as a multi-purpose information resource for young English language learners and secondary school students in schools and public libraries.

● Point of Views
The Point of Views Center is a dedicated interface for public, academic, and high school libraries. The point of views database was designed to help researchers understand a full range of controversial topics.

● DynaMed
A medical reference tool created by medical professionals for physicians and other health care professionals to be used and employed in health care centers, featuring summaries arranged by medical information and conditions on more than 3,200 topics.

Members of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library can take advantage of the electronic database service "EBSCO" from outside the library by sending an email with their subscription number and name to mainlibrary@shoman.org.jo to receive a username and password.

To visit the EBSCO database, click here

Arab E-Marifa Knowledge Database
This database provides scientific and statistical periodicals. The full-text database includes full-text scientific and statistical journals issued in the Arab world in Arabic, English and French. The Knowledge Base for scientific and statistical journals has nearly 400,000 full-text scientific and statistical articles and 1,900 scientific and statistical journals from 19 Arab countries.

The database contains the following: Human Sciences Base: 427 scientific and statistical periodicals. Social sciences base: 365 scientific and statistical periodicals.
Medical and health sciences base: 319 scientific and statistical periodicals. Economic Sciences and Business Administration Base: 583 scientific and statistical periodicals. Engineering sciences and information technology base: 205 scientific and statistical periodicals. The Natural and Life Sciences Base: 426 scientific and statistical periodicals. The base of statistical periodic reports: 691 scientific and statistical periodicals.

To visit the Knowledge Base website, click here

Al-Manhal database for theses and dissertations
It is a database specialized in theses and dissertations in both Arabic and English and includes more than 9300 theses, divided as follows:
● 7273 messages in Arabic
● 2035 messages in English
Collected from the most prominent Arab and Jordanian universities

Members of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Public Library can take advantage of the electronic database service "Al-Manhal" from outside the library by sending an email with their subscription number and name to mainlibrary@shoman.org.jo to receive a username and password.

To visit Al Manhal database, click here

DOAJ database

This free service provides full texts of quality scientific and academic journals, aiming to cover all subjects and languages. The directory contains journals, of which 11,000 are searchable at an article level.
To visit the Dawaj database website, click here

Arab Group Online Database ACO
The Arabic Online Collection is a public library containing digital books composed in Arabic that has become available in the public domain. It is funded by New York University in Abu Dhabi. The collections will display approximately 15,000 books by New York University and other participating universities during a five-year period of operation.
To visit the Arab Groups Database, click here

You can start a conversation with our librarians and inquire about anything related to the library, its programs and services by clicking here

To know more about the Knowledge Path Library, click here.