Overview

LAU is home to three libraries: Riyad Nassar Library (RNL/Beirut campus) founded in 1934 and renamed in 2005 after Dr. Riyad Nassar, LAU President 1982-2004; Joseph G. Jabbra Library (JGJL/Byblos campus) in Byblos Campus, founded in 1987 and renamed in 2020 after Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra, LAU president 2004-2020; and the Health Sciences Library (HSL/Byblos campus), founded in 2013 and occupies the ground floor of the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury Health Sciences Center.

LAU’s campus-wide network of libraries takes pride in the dissemination of knowledge through our fine collections, remarkable services, innovative technologies and outstanding service-oriented and highly committed staff. The libraries offer an attractive and comfortable environment conducive to teaching, learning and research.

LAU Libraries’ print collection is strongly supplemented by subscriptions to various electronic resources, be it online databases, e-books or e-journals. This collection consists of about 400,000 print materials, 600,000 e-books, 136,810 e-journals, 180 online databases, as well as 17,651 audio-visual materials. 

In 2012, the library launched LAU’s institutional Repository (LAUR), providing open access to scholarly works and theses written by LAU faculty and students in addition to LAU events, etc. LAUR currently houses about 7653 records divided as follows:

• Scholarly publications (5003)
• Theses and dissertations (1748)
• Capstone projects (43)
• LAU activities and events (254)
• Lebanese community events (28)
• LAU centers and institutes (27)
• Special collections (218)
• الانتخابات النيابية اللبنانية 2018 (332)

The library services are not limited to available holdings, but extend to the Inter-Library Loan/Document Delivery Service (ILL/DDS) and research assistance. All of the library departments are dedicated not only to providing access to information but also to assisting information seekers in developing successful strategies for finding and evaluating information for a full range of needs. Follow this link for a comprehensive list of services.

Mission

The university libraries are committed to supporting and enhancing teaching, learning and research at the Lebanese American University through providing high quality services and resources, anticipating and responding to emerging technologies, and enriching the intellectual and cultural life of the LAU community.

Vision

LAU libraries will be recognized as an innovative hub for teaching, learning and research, which will inspire the creation, discovery, and sharing of knowledge. We aspire to provide state-of-the art facilities, quality resources, and innovative services to stimulate originality and to foster student success and lifelong learning. We strive to develop and employ the library staff expertise to achieve excellence in services to students, faculty, and to the community.

Riyad Nassar Library (RNL)

A state-of-the-art facility, RNL was inaugurated in 2006 featuring a spacious and comfortable setting conducive to learning and knowledge sharing. The 8,000m²_­ thirteen-story building is able to cater for more than 517 users in different seating arrangements. RNL encompasses study areas including “quiet” and “silent” study zones, one classroom with lecture-capture facility. The library also houses the Center for Innovative Learning (CIL).

Features of Riyad Nassar Library:

• 96 PCs
• 48 laptops
• 5 iPads
• 2 Kindles
• 14 Printers
• 4 Photocopiers/Scanners
• 1 Electronic Information Classroom
• 2 Conference rooms (with videoconferencing)
• 4 Group study rooms

RNL collection includes but is not limited to the following:

• The Julinda Abu Nasr Women and Gender collection: This collection parallels that of the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World. It includes books, pamphlets, documents and flyers on subjects relevant to women’s studies in both English and Arabic.
• Children’s collection: This collection is used by Creative Dramatics, Children’s Literature, and other courses offered within the education major.
• Audio-visual collection (also available in JGJL): This collection covers areas related to courses in business, pharmacy, education, sciences, history, politics, opera, theater, art, classical music, and cinema studies.
• Closed circulation collection (also available in JGJL): This collection includes out-of-print, aged and rare books, as well as certain worn-out books on Lebanon that are out of print.
• Islamic art and architecture collection: This collection is meant to enrich courses on design in general and on Islamic art and culture in particular. It covers the historical, theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of such heritage.
• Practice teaching collection: This collection is mainly used by students majoring in education.
• Jawdat Haidar collection: This collection houses the works of the Lebanese centenarian poet Jawdat Haidar.

Joseph G. Jabbra Library (JGJL)

Established in 2018, JGJL is a state-of-the-art facility providing a diverse set of services that have a significant effect on the management of the library’s day-to-day functions. It integrates technology within its creative and inspirational spaces in order to create an outstanding facility.

The 6,540m²_­ five-story building incorporates open-space study areas, and different seating arrangements able to cater to more than 451 end-users. It also provides many other unconventional amenities that offer an inspiring atmosphere and breathtaking views. JGJL is a modernized facility that promotes a collaborative environment conducive to learning and knowledge sharing.

Its designers researched the history, local culture and typology of the ancient city of Byblos and weaved the findings into the conceptual design. The pattern found on the exterior of the library is based on the ancient Phoenician alphabet which highlights Byblos’s most cultural heritage. The development, which follows USGBC’s LEED Gold certification, features rain water harvesting and re-use as well as reduced resource consumption to protect the environment and provide an eco-friendly atmosphere.

Features of Joseph G. Jabbra Library:

• 137 PCs
• 25 laptops
• 6 iPads
• 1 Kindle
• 18 Printers
• 5 Photocopiers/Scanners
• 1 Electronic Information Classroom
• 1 Conference room (with videoconferencing)
• 2 Smart classrooms
• 11 Group study rooms each equipped with LED TV
• 4 lounges
• Landscape 2,614m²

Health Sciences Library (HSL)

Occupying the ground floor of Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury Health Sciences Center, HSL was inaugurated in 2013. The 800m2 facility has the capacity to cater to over 183 end-users in different seating arrangements.

HSL promotes excellence in health and general wellbeing by developing and maintaining services and resources that support the health information needs of the School of Medicine (SOM), School of Nursing (SON), School of Pharmacy (SOP) and the LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital (LAUMC-RH).

Features of the Health Sciences Library:

• 12 PCs
• 38 laptops
• 2 iPads
• 3 Printers
• 1 Photocopier/Scanner
• 3 Group study rooms