Assabil, Culture For All - About

ASSABIL is a non-governmental organization established in 1997 to establish and promote public libraries in Lebanon that are free and open to all.  We believe that public libraries play an important role in the development of individuals and societies - at all times, but especially in times of change and public citizen engagement for democratic change. Free and unlimited access to information is an essential prerequisite for the development of a well-informed citizenry and democratic society.
Since 1998, ASSABIL’s members, staff and volunteers have joint their efforts to:

Promote public libraries as public and community spaces in the city.
Expand the network of the municipal public libraries of Beirut.
Establish and operate a network of mobile libraries.
Establish and consolidate a Resource & Training Center for librarians and educators.
Support and strengthen ASSABIL’s network of partner libraries throughout Lebanon.