The Founders of the University of Balamand (UOB) had, from the outset, envisioned a university library that would, in due course, become a model for library services in its immediate community, as well as the whole academic community in Lebanon. When the University opened its doors in 1988, the Library was located in a small classroom. When it was moved to Kazan Hall in 1990, and installed in two rooms, the move was thought to be a giant step forward. In 1992, there was another move - to Murr Hall. Finally, in the fall of 1998, after ten years of temporary arrangements the UOB Library moved to its permanent location in the Atef Daniel Building.

The University of Balamand Library system is a key resource and service gateway of the institution. It includes six libraries: the Atef Danial Library (as the Main Library); two ALBA libraries, one in Sin-al-Fil and the other on the Main Campus; the Library of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology; and the Business and Hotel Management Library.

The Atef Danial Library (ADL), as it now stands, owes its existence to the generosity of the late Atef Danial, as well as Messrs. Abdallah Tamari, Albert Laham, George Attieh, Hani Hakim, Issa Aoudeh, Nicolas Chatila, Salim Hoche.

The Library services of UOB has now expanded to include the Habib and Fouad Abi Chahla Medical Library, so named by its benefactor and founder Mrs. Marie Abi Chahla, and inaugurated on January 11th of 1994. The Abi Chahla Library is a vital source of information for the Saint George Hospital University Medical Center community, which includes attending doctors, residents, interns, nurses, pharmacists and employees, as well as students and instructors. It aims to acquire, preserve and disseminate medical information in clinical medicine, medical basic sciences, nursing, public health, and other allied health sciences.

They all work to provide resources and assistance to students, faculty, staff and the UOB neighboring community in general.

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MISSION

The mission of the UOB Libraries resides completely within the vision and the goals of the University of Balamand as a whole as expressed in the motto: “Second to None.”

As such, the Library’s mission is to bring people and information together, and it does this primarily through the collection of information resources and the provision of superlative services through its information literacy programs. Fundamental to these goals is the recognition that the UOB community, and the broader scholarly community are a principal focus of the Library.

We value: Partnership

Excellence

Innovation

Diversity

Openness to change

Service