Community Libraries
Defiant Shelters for Knowledge and Growth
Seraj’s Community Libraries are beacons of resilience in the face of adversity, offering more than books—they provide refuge and connection. These 13 libraries, located in refugee camps, Area C, and rural villages, serve as the heartbeats of their communities, offering vital resources in places where access to education and safe gathering spaces is limited.In a landscape where educational opportunities are often restricted, these libraries defy the forces that seek to limit Palestinian voices. They offer places where residents can gather freely, explore their heritage, and nurture their aspirations.
Jifna Library | 2007
In partnership with the Jifna Women Charitable Society, Seraj opened its first library in 2007. Initially met with skepticism, the library quickly became a beloved space where children gathered to read and connect. Nestled amidst olive groves and vineyards, Jifna celebrates its agricultural heritage with events like its annual apricot festival, uniting this historic community. Now, Seraj is working to expand its reach to young adults facing unemployment and limited opportunities, offering skill-building programs to empower the next generation.
Deir Ammar Refugee Camp Library | 2009
Since 2009, the Deir Ammar Library has provided a safe, welcoming space in a camp where nearly half of the 3,700 residents are children. The library’s unique partnership with disability-focused organizations ensures inclusive programming, particularly supporting residents with disabilities who face additional challenges in the camp’s difficult environment. As job prospects continue to dwindle, Seraj aims to develop resources and programs that empower Deir Ammar’s youth with skills and a sense of hope, fostering resilience in a vulnerable community.
Kufor Ni'ameh Library | 2010
The Kufor Ni’ameh Library, launched in 2010, celebrates both education and cultural preservation. Programs like “Reading Under the Olive Trees” blend literacy with the village’s olive-harvesting traditions, uniting families to share stories and harvest memories. Despite ongoing violence from settlers, worsened during olive-picking season, the library stands as a symbol of resilience, offering a safe space that fosters community spirit and resistance.
Taybeh Library | 2011
Taybeh, Palestine’s only entirely Christian village, is known for its wine, olive oil, and the famous Taybeh Brewery, which hosts an Oktoberfest each year. The library was established in 2011 in partnership with the Roman Catholic Church and served as an important resource in the village. There is now a renewed interest from youth to relocate it to their club in the old city center. This move would create a much-needed study and gathering space, enriching Taybeh’s cultural fabric and giving youth a place to learn and connect amid increasing restrictions.
Al-Mizzra Al-Sharqiyyeh Clyde M. Campbell Library | 2012
In 2012, the Clyde M. Campbell Library began as a modest space that quickly became a community cornerstone, inspiring residents to fundraise for a new youth club. Now located on the first floor of this four-story building, the library symbolizes the power of collective action and continues to offer educational and creative resources. In a rural area where resources are limited, the library is essential for learning and connection.
Aida Refugee Camp Library | 2013
Established in 2013 in partnership with Al-Ruwwad Cultural and Theater Society, the Aida Library serves as a sanctuary in one of the world’s most tear-gassed communities. Here, children find a safe space to escape, learn, and heal. Programs in music, art, and storytelling embody “beautiful resistance,” allowing young people to reclaim joy and resilience despite the challenging environment.
Burham and Jibiya Library | 2015
Seraj opened a library in Burham in 2015, housed in a 600-year-old former mosque that serves both Burham and Jibiya. Despite an incident where military action damaged its entrance, the community rallied to restore it. Today, led by the Burham Charitable Society, this library provides a vibrant space for learning and cultural preservation, symbolizing resilience and community strength.
Jiftlek Library | 2017
Founded in 2017, the Jiftlek Library stands as a beacon of hope in the Jordan Valley’s Area C, where demolition threats and water scarcity impact daily life. Named after Rev. Jim Wall, Seraj’s founding Board Chair, the library supports both Jiftlek and nearby Bedouin communities, and partners with local women’s groups for its sustainability. Under constant threat of demolition, it remains a center for education and cultural preservation, defying the odds.
Abu Falah Library | 2019
Established in 2019, the Abu Falah Library is a vital educational hub in a village surrounded by settlements and frequent settler violence. In collaboration with the Abu Falah Community & Youth Club, the library provides a safe space for study, with a strong focus on math enrichment and university-level support, helping to sustain hope and learning in a challenging environment.
Tubas Library | 2019
Opened in 2019, the Tubas Library serves as a refuge in a town facing violence and economic hardship. With the largest book collection in the Seraj network, it remains a valuable resource for a community under severe strain. Seraj continues to support Tubas, ensuring that knowledge, resilience, and hope persist amidst adversity.
Birzeit Library and Cultural Center | 2022
Housed in a beautifully restored 200-year-old courtyard, Seraj’s Birzeit Library and Cultural Center, established in 2022, serves as a dynamic hub for learning, creativity, and community connection. Located in the heart of Birzeit, a lively and historic town known for its university, the center provides a vital resource for both local residents and students from across Palestine who often cannot return home due to occupation-imposed travel restrictions. This library offers essential study spaces, research materials, and high-speed internet, creating a welcoming haven for university students who lack public spaces to gather, study, or relax.
Beyond academics, the center nurtures Birzeit’s cultural life through its performance space, technology room, and art exhibits. Students and residents come together for cultural performances, workshops, and festivals, with local artists, musicians, and poets frequently showcasing their work here. In a town where many face isolation and economic challenges, this library and cultural center fosters resilience and solidarity, offering a safe place to celebrate Palestinian heritage and creativity. It has become an essential gathering place for intergenerational exchange, helping preserve and strengthen Birzeit’s cultural and social fabric. Learn More. 
Kufor Aqab Library and Storytelling Center | 2022
Located beyond the Apartheid Wall in Area C, Kufor Aqab is a vibrant yet highly contested Palestinian neighborhood within East Jerusalem. Originally a small town of around 2,000 people, it has grown to house over 100,000 residents due to the pressures of occupation policies, which have driven displaced Palestinians from other areas to seek refuge here. Despite its growth, Kufor Aqab faces severe overcrowding, limited infrastructure, and frequent demolition orders, as building permits are almost impossible to obtain under Israeli control. Many residents live with the constant threat of displacement and must contend with substandard services and poor infrastructure.
Amid these challenges, the Seraj Library and Storytelling Center offers a critical cultural space, providing residents with a place to gather, learn, and preserve their heritage. Programs like the storytelling academy, annual storytelling marathon, and the Layali Ramadaniye festival foster a strong sense of community, connecting generations through shared stories and cultural traditions. Located in an area with rich Ottoman-era architectural landmarks, the library and storytelling center are not just safe spaces but also symbols of resilience, where people of all ages find inspiration, connection, and hope in a landscape often marked by hardship and uncertainty.
Al-Jib Library | 2023
Opened in 2023, the Al-Jib Library is nestled in a village with deep historical roots, surrounded by Roman and Ottoman ruins that reflect its ancient heritage. Situated in Area C and surrounded by the Apartheid Wall, Al-Jib faces severe movement restrictions, limited access to farmland, and high unemployment. This small library provides a vital refuge where residents connect with their history and strengthen community bonds. Seraj hopes to expand it into a larger cultural center, preserving Al-Jib’s rich heritage and supporting resilience in a region marked by adversity.