CBRL Amman Institute Library Launches Reading Club
In celebration of World Book Day, the CBRL Amman Institute Library is excited to announce the launch of its new Reading Club. This initiative aims to create an inclusive space where professionals, researchers, students, and the public can engage with high-quality academic content and participate in discussions focused on themes such as archaeology, history, cultural heritage, and the social sciences.
The CBRL Reading Club reflects the Institute’s commitment to promoting knowledge relevant to the Levant. Through bi-monthly sessions, the club will enhance access to academic research from CBRL-affiliated journals and regional sources. It also seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue among fields such as archaeology, heritage, sociology, history, and cultural studies. The club aims to support public scholarships and encourage interaction between academia and the wider community, positioning the CBRL Amman Library as a hub for learning, exchange, and innovation.
Article Selection Strategy
Articles will be chosen based on their relevance to Jordan and the Levant, thematic richness, accessibility (open access), and their potential to spark meaningful and inclusive discussions. Topics may span ancient and modern history, ethnography, memory studies, archaeology, contemporary politics, and the intersections of heritage and identity in the region. The articles discussed will be selected from three primary journals on a rotating basis:
Format and Audience
Meetings will be held every two months on Mondays at the CBRL Amman Institute (in-person). The first meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2025, followed by subsequent sessions on August 18, October 20, December 15, and concluding with the final session on February 16, 2026. Each meeting aims to promote discussion around selected academic articles and facilitate intellectual exchange among participants. The format will include a structured group discussion, followed by an informal networking coffee break.
Each article will be announced in advance through the Institute’s communication channels, including its website, newsletter, and social media platforms. The Reading Club welcomes a diverse group of individuals, including scholars, graduate students, and practitioners in archaeology, heritage, museums, and archives. It also invites university faculty, researchers, and members of the public interested in the humanities and social sciences to participate.
We invite you to join us on this journey—where reading becomes a gateway to dialogue, discovery, and connection. Stay tuned for future article announcements, and join us in celebrating knowledge, culture, and the rich heritage of the region.
This club is led by CBRL Senior Librarian Rudaina Al Momani.
For more information, please contact us: [email protected].
First Session Details
📖 Our first article for discussion: “Not a place for respectable people, but the ends of the earth converge there: insights from Wisad Pools into the nature and context of Jordan’s Black Desert Neolithic”.
▪️ Authors: Alexander Wasse, Gary Rollefson, Yorke Rowan, Blair Heidkamp, Louise Martin, Tom Röttger-Morgan, and Özlem Sarıtas
▪️ Published in Levant Journal (Volume 56-2, 2024)
▪️ Article Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00758914.2024.2350316
🔹 First session: Monday, 16 June 2025
🔹 In-person at CBRL Amman Institute