Public Access – Libraries (11.2.2)

Public access to university libraries, publications, and learning resources.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) ensures wide and equitable public access to its library facilities, academic publications, and learning resources as part of its commitment to SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and the principles of inclusive, knowledge-based community development.
Through its open-access policies, digital platforms, and on-campus learning spaces, AAU provides community members, researchers, school students, and visiting learners with the opportunity to access books, digital collections, academic journals, research databases, and educational services.

The university’s libraries function not only as academic hubs but also as cultural and community spaces that support lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and equitable access to information. Public access is supported through guided tours, reading halls, digital libraries, community learning events, and open educational workshops.
These efforts strengthen AAU’s position as a national center for accessible knowledge that supports cultural participation and community integration, contributing directly to SDG11, SDG4 (Quality Education), and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Hourani e-Learning Center (HEC

Provides public access to open educational materials, digital learning platforms, and e-content used in AAU courses. Supports community training programs, digital resource access, and open online learning.

January
01

2. Language Center (LC)

Supports community-focused language training, reading programs, and access to printed and digital learning materials. The center hosts public workshops and facilitates access to linguistic resources for non-AAU learners.

January
01

3. Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)

Provides community workshops, academic-skills sessions, and open-access seminars. TLC also supports digital resource accessibility and academic development programs for external learners.

January
01

4. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

Supports public access to international publications, research exchanges, and cultural learning resources. Hosts open academic events and facilitates community access to global learning materials.

January
01

5. Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Oversees policies ensuring transparency, public reporting, and open access to sustainability publications such as the AAU Sustainability Report and Executive SDG Reports. All reports are publicly accessible through the AAU Sustainability Portal.

Activities:

January
01

1. Publication of AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025

AAU makes its full Sustainability Report available to the public, ensuring open access to environmental, social, and governance performance data.

January
01

2. Publication of SDG11 Executive Sustainability Report

The SDG11 report provides public access to AAU’s achievements in sustainable cities and communities, including cultural heritage, community planning, and public-space initiatives.

January
01

3. Public Workshops on AI-Based Design

These workshops include access to public learning materials, presentations, and design resources provided through AAU’s digital platforms, allowing community members to access specialized content.

January
01

4. Community Educational Access through the Arena Complex

AAU provides public access to exhibitions, reading areas, academic events, and educational displays hosted at the Arena. Many events include publicly accessible educational materials and publications.

January
01

5. Public Access to Research & Cultural Publications

AAU makes multiple research outputs, cultural publications, and academic articles publicly available through its website, enabling community-wide access to literature, reports, and multidisciplinary knowledge.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU uses multiple tools to monitor public access to library and learning resources, including: • digital-access usage analytics,
• footfall tracking in reading halls,
• public workshop evaluation forms,
• accessibility audits for library buildings,
• satisfaction surveys for community learners.

Annual Assessment Cycles

AAU evaluates public library access annually, measuring: • number of external visitors,
• participation in reading programs and workshops,
• digital-resource downloads,
• accessibility improvements,
• user satisfaction.

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

Indicators include: • number of open-access publications released per year,
• visits to the digital library,
• public workshop attendance,
• international publication access rates,
• community feedback on resource availability.

Integration with Curriculum

Findings support curriculum enhancement by increasing the use of open-access educational resources and integrating digital learning content into classroom and community programs.

Transparency and Public Reporting

All educational and sustainability resources are publicly accessible through:
• AAU Sustainability Portal
• Sustainability Report 2024–2025
• Executive SDG Reports
• AAU website news and research sections

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Digital Library Expansion

Expand open-access digital materials, including books, journals, and sustainability publications. Target: +500 new publicly accessible resources yearly.

Action 2: Community Reading & Learning Program

Provide monthly public workshops and reading sessions hosted in AAU libraries. Target: 12 events annually.

Action 3: Library Accessibility Enhancements

Improve signage, pathways, and inclusive facilities for all community visitors. Target: Full compliance by 2026.

Action 4: Digital Resource Tracking Dashboard

A public dashboard displaying access statistics, downloads, and user engagement. Target: Operational by 2026.

Action 5: Municipal Educational Partnership

Partner with municipalities to deliver public learning resources and community reading programs.
Target: 3 partnerships per year.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its public-access library model against: • University of Cambridge (Open Scholarship Systems)
• University of British Columbia (Community Library Access)
• University of Melbourne (Open Knowledge Platforms)
• University of Gothenburg (Inclusive Learning Access Models)

Best Practices Adopted

open-access learning systems• community-inclusive libraries
• digital educational platforms
• transparent resource-sharing
• reading halls open to local communities

Localization to Jordan’s Context

Aligned with: • National Strategy for Human Development
• Ministry of Education Open Learning Directives
• AAU Digital Learning Policy
• AAU Community Educational Outreach Procedures

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Open Knowledge & Learning Access Observatory, monitoring public learning access, resource equity, and digital-resource reach.

Institutional Integration Summary

AAU ensures public access to libraries and learning resources through a coordinated, institution-wide system managed by the Hourani e-Learning Center, Language Center, TLC, GEC, and SIRC.
These departments collectively support open learning, digital access, public community programs, and inclusive knowledge sharing strengthening AAU’s contribution to SDG11 and SDG4.