ABOUT US
OUR PURPOSE
To be a bridge for the communities of people in Jordan…
to grow and strengthen and enrich each other's lives.
OUR HISTORY
Books and More Library was started in May 2010, by Harvey and Nancy Bacus under sanction by the Ministry of Culture to bring literature, knowledge and resources to the people of Jordan. The average month allows for 1000 new visitors and 50 new memberships.
Books and More Jordan is the only public lending library in the country of Jordan that is open to both children and adults. Exposing children at their youngest age to the classics, as well as modern literature is the very foundation of Books and More.
For over 14 years, Books and More Jordan has established itself as the backbone for those looking to access literature across the country of Jordan. In 2017, the Ministry of Education sent out a letter to every public school in the Amman region requesting the teachers, staff and librarians to bring their classes to Books and More.
Throughout 2018, Books and More was focused on the long term sustainability through securing financing for the final purchase of the building property and program expansion.
In 2018, Books and More became a government recognized NGO. This has opened many new doors and opportunities across the city and nation.
In 2019, Books and More was able to secure the funding for a permanent building. That purchase will allow expanded growth and programming at the current location as well as new opportunities to grow across the city.
In 2020, Books and More celebrated 10 years in Amman. During that time, there were major lockdowns and restrictions in Amman. New ways to reach the community had to be discovered and throughout a very hard season, Books and More helped many families with resources, financial needs and providing books through book giveaways, book sales and reimagined ways to connect with kids and families and more.
In 2024, we have experienced one of our busiest summers ever even in the midst of staffing challenges and transitions. In June alone we had 3,669 guests walk through our doors either to check out books or participate in our summer activities. Make sure to check out our Programs page for summary of programs we have been offering.
2025 looks like a year where we will be able to tackle some of those staffing challenges. We have several who have plans to arrive early in the spring of 2025. They will be able to start helping with the normal Library needs as well as help prepare for the summer programing.
OUR DIRECTIVES
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Providing equitable access for all in Jordan by promoting literacy.
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Encouraging individual achievement through workshops and classes.
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Emphasizing child development through social activities, skill building classes and week long camps.
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Empowering women to contribute to society through vocational training and social interactions.
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Involving the family to do all the above together by being present, open and available for all.
Who is BOOKS AND MORE helping?
Jordanians hold at least half of the total membership to the Library. This is a direct illustration of how the Books and More team has committed to reaching out to the local Jordanian people. Some members live far outside of the city of Amman. But due to lack of local library access, many will visit us when they make trips to Amman.
Members also come from various walks of life and nationalities. Some members include home-school parents, ex-pats associated with foreign military and embassy workers. We even have other NGO’s associated with non-military function and those who work with refugees.
Nearly 50 nations are represented in the membership at Books and More with over 1,500 family memberships.
Membership Testimonials
Families often come once or twice a week to check out books, study or participate in one of the many programs. Since 2010, Books and More has become a staple in the Amman community for families of all demographics. No matter the heritage, cultural differences or economic background, Books and More has created a valuable space for everyone to seek wisdom, find knowledge and explore freely.
Did You Know?
While many people may not visit a library on a regular basis, libraries are a reliable institution for many cities and countries.
The country of Jordan is roughly the size of Pennsylvania, which currently has 475 public libraries. In Jordan there are less than 10 institutional libraries to service the entire country. Books and More is the only one in Jordan that is open to the public.