Fifty-two library professionals from 34 public libraries in Lebanon joined four days of training in September 2026. The sessions are part of a UNESCO initiative to rebuild and strengthen the country's library network. Participants explored how to identify community needs, plan services and develop partnerships. They also discussed ways to use data when deciding which activities would best serve the people around them.
Other sessions covered digital resources, responsible internet use and the management of book collections. Staff looked at a book's journey from selection to borrowing and later evaluation. This makes clear procedures important alongside welcoming spaces. The training is an early step, not evidence that damaged libraries have already been restored. Further work is planned to improve staff skills, library systems and spaces, helping the network respond to changing community needs.