# University of Jordan Library

The University of Jordan Library (UJL) (Arabic: مكتبة الجامعة الأردنية), established in 1962 alongside the founding of the University of Jordan, serves as a vital academic resource center in Amman, Jordan. Spanning over 12,000 square meters with an additional 4,000 square meters dedicated to reading rooms across the university's faculties and scientific centers, the library supports a diverse academic community. Housing over one million items, including print and electronic resources, the UJL offers extensive services to faculty, students, researchers, and international scholars. Its address located P.O. BOX 11942, Amman, Jordan.

## History

The University of Jordan Library, established in 1962, holds the distinction of being the second public library in Jordan, following the Central Library (Arabic: المكتبة المركزية) (Public Libraries Department, Arabic: دائرة المكتبات العامة) founded in 1960. The library boasts a collection of approximately one million items and serves the university's students, professors, and patrons. Situated on the University of Jordan campus, it spans 12,000 square meters and provides over 2,000 seats for users. Additionally, an extra 4,000 square meters dedicated to 17 sub-locations or reading rooms spread across the university's faculties and scientific centers.
The library is organized into three main departments: the Technical Department, responsible for indexing, classification, and acquisition of new materials; the Library Services Department, which oversees university dissertations, the lending system, references, and deposits; and the Information Department, focused on computerizing the library and maintaining modern paper and electronic periodicals. Its address located P.O. BOX 11942, Amman, Jordan
In September 2018, the American Corner was inaugurated within the library, having been relocated from the Language Center at the University of Jordan. This section is part of a global network of 650 American Corners supported by the U.S. Department of State, aimed at introducing students to American culture and civilization, enhanced by updated digital educational resources.

## Collections and Resources

The UJL houses a diverse collection of over one million items, including print and electronic resources, databases, and manuscripts. This vast collection supports the academic needs of faculty members, staff, students, researchers, and scholars both from within Jordan and internationally.
The UJL houses an extensive collection of significant historical documents and archives. Among its holdings are the complete minutes of the Jordanian Parliament from its establishment in 1929 to the present day. The library also contains an archive of newspapers dating back to 1870, providing a rich resource for historical research. Additionally, the library maintains a special archive of documents from Jerusalem, including records from the Sharia courts and historical manuscripts from the Mamluk Sultanate, dating back to 1530. Furthermore, the library serves as a depository center for documents from the United Nations and other international organizations, reflecting its role as a key repository of both national and international historical records.

### Services

The library is open 90 hours per week, serving an average of 11,000 users daily. It offers a wide range of services, including access to electronic theses, manuscripts, and a comprehensive digital library. The library also provides specialized facilities for visually impaired students, including screen readers, magnification devices, and Braille printers.

### Special Collections and Archives

UJL features several notable collections:
* Heritage Collections: These include documents and books written on papyrus, parchments, and paper sheets by hand, reflecting the rich historical and cultural heritage of Jordan.
* Deposit Collections: Publications and studies related to Jordan, along with a special wing dedicated to the royal family, are part of this collection.
* Newspaper Archives: The library has archived approximately 5.5 million pages of newspapers, accessible electronically to facilitate research.

### Theses Deposit Center

Since 1986, the UJL has been accredited by the Association of Arab Universities as a repository for theses and dissertations from Arab universities. The library's Dissertations and Theses Database includes abstracts, full texts, and bibliographic lists, with full access available on-site.

## Technology and Accessibility

The library incorporates modern technological solutions to enhance user experience. This includes an online catalog system (Horizon), digital access to resources, and various computing and database services managed by the Computer Applications Division.