Director of the Public Libraries Department (PLD) at Greater Amman Municipality, Mr. Hatem Hamlan said that the public libraries are popular institutions aim to enhance the cultural attitudes among people, and at different ages, to ensure better promotion for the cultural and educational principles.
In his interview with the Media Center of Greater Amman Municipality, Hamlan stressed that these libraries play a key role in the cultural development by linking citizens with their cultural civilization and heritage, noting that public libraries are considered a cultural glowing source that helps in melting the social ideas and thoughts for civil community and supports its diversified cultural identity.
Hamlan emphasized that PLD has initiated the computerization of all the libraries in Amman, as a step forward to enhance public awareness about the Information Technology. The department used MINISIS system, which is an integrated library system that offers acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, serials, and Web modules.
The system is used in more than 1500 locations around the world, and at more than 30 institutions in Amman alone. A whole computer-based network was fully equipped at the Central Library, and it is connected to all the sections at the department. Library of King Hussein Cultural Center was also linked with the network through the Digital Leased Line. All of the 38 libraries around Amman were linked with the central library.
Hamlan said the new system is a cost-effective, easy and advanced system and involves the updated databases in the world. It can convert the manual indices to electronic ones, and controls belongings of the libraries both at the administrative and statistical procedures, with much analysis and testing for the needs of the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the PLD pays much attention to the child interests, as it applies a specific plan to increase the number of libraries specified for children around Amman, which provide free reading of books and references as well as intellectual activities throughout the year.
Hamlan said that PLD is working closely with the Interactive Knowledge Corporation to promote the preliminary reading campaign for children, themed "When Family reads, a child reads". The campaign transforms the programs and policies that GAM is adopting to enhance the development of childhood and childcare in the Kingdom, and conforms to the incessant commitment, Amman a Friendly Child City.
Besides the intellectual activities, GAM will also establish IT-based centers and centers for those with special needs, which is the first of its kind in Jordan to enhance the social interaction of these people in the local community.
The PLD contributes intensely promoting the intellectual production among Jordanian writers and novelists, by acquiring their productions at the libraries and sponsoring them in the local, regional and international cultural events.
The department is divided into eight sections, including Supply and Exchange, Index and Classification, Borrowing and Guidance, References and Heritage, Periodicals, Documentation, Associate Libraries, and the Administrative Section, which includes the Divan and Computerization.