Work Experience

Arabic Resources Specialist at Research & Instruction Services, Jafet Library, American University of Beirut 

August 2025-

Index Lebanon Project:

• Developing controlled vocabulary and indexing terms for newspapers and articles to support reference services at AUB Jafet Library. 

Project Lead (Archival and Digital Infrastructure), Fighting Erasure Project, American University of Beirut 

2023 to Present

(Established under the academic supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Rami Zurayk; implemented under his oversight in collaboration with Co-PIs Dr. Jamila Ghaddar and Dr. Hanine Shehadeh.) 

• Participated in designing and establishing the project’s structure, governance, and implementation framework under the academic supervision of Principal Investigator Dr. Rami Zurayk, in collaboration with Co-PIs Dr. Jamila Ghaddar and Dr. Hanine Shehadeh.  

• Proposed and coordinated a regional Training Program on Archiving Fundamentals, including digitization and emergency preparedness, and contributed to developing the Arabic-language guidelines. The program is led by Dr. Jamila Ghaddar and supported by the International Council on Archives (ICA) to unify archiving standards in Palestine and Lebanon.

  • • Coordinator, Archival Training Program: Fundamentals of Archival Management, Oral History, and Emergency Mitigation, American University of Beirut (2024–2025), overseeing curriculum planning, participant recruitment, application management, instructor liaison, and bilingual delivery for Rounds 1 and 3.

    • Coordinator, Round 2 (July 5–August 30, 2025), a fully online edition reaching 48 participants from Palestine, Lebanon, and the wider Global South.

• Contributed to the development of a specialized thesaurus within the MELA  Working Group for Palestine, in collaboration with POHA (Palestinian Oral History Archive) at AUB, and secured an official international code that will enable its global publication and standardization. 

• Participated in coordinating the Archives & Heritage for Palestine Seminar Series, organized with MELA, PLSC, and Dalhousie University, featuring leading Palestinian historians, archivists, and authors.

• Archiving Gaza’s War: Led, developed and implemented this project to archive social media and webpages as part of documenting the Gaza genocide and War on Lebanon. This involved categorizing news reports, eyewitness accounts, and other materials using secure, high-capacity platforms for future access and preservation.

  • They Have Names: Coordinated the establishment of a searchable data that documents the names and associated villages of individuals killed in Gaza, preserving legacies and connections to ancestral lands, emphasizing the human impact beyond statistics.

  • War Documentation Timeline: Compiled a detailed chronological record of the war on Gaza and Southern Lebanon (from October 7, 2023 onward), combining verified textual documentation and multimedia sources. Coordinated the production of a parallel video timeline, integrating visual materials to support archival preservation, research, and public engagement.

• Proposed and co-led the development of a multi-site Digital Archival Platform to safeguard vulnerable Palestinian and regional collections; conceptualized the project based on master’s thesis research and advanced a decentralized, sustainable preservation framework. The initiative aims to create decentralized, accessible digital surrogates for vulnerable collections. The repository is supported by regional partners and guided by a global stewardship model to ensure sustainable digital preservation. 

• Establishing the Union of Municipalities for Archiving and Documentation: Initiated and designed a coordinated municipal archiving framework to preserve and provide public access to local administrative records and community archives. The initiative develops shared archival policies, standards, and training adapted to local capacities, supporting decentralized digital access and inter-municipal collaboration in conflict-affected and institutionally fragile contexts. 

• Led strategic partnership development and network-building, establishing collaborations with regional and international archivists, academic institutions, and cultural heritage organizations to support project objectives, joint programming, and knowledge exchange.

• Contributed to resource mobilization, including identifying funding opportunities, supporting partnership-based grant applications, and liaising with potential donors and sponsoring organizations.

• Member and Expert, Archival Community–Palestine (2024–present) 

  • Participated in establishing the community’s work policy and strategic direction. 

  • Chair of the Committee for the Development and Standardization of Archival Terminology, and active member of the Programs Development Committee. 

• Capacity Building and Training: Participated in training the Arab American University in Ramallah team on downloading, preserving, and archiving social media content documenting the Gaza war, including workflows for platform capture, organization, and long-term preservation.

• Community Archiving Support: Provided technical guidance and archival support to grassroots initiatives, including Palestinian Stories, to enable the systematic archiving and preservation of social media pages documenting Palestinian lived experience and war-time testimony.

Metadata Librarian and Archivist; Palestine Land Studies Center, American University of Beirut 

March 2023 to July 2025

Cataloging and Archival Management:

• Established PLSC’s cataloging and archival policies, emphasizing the preservation of Palestinian cultural identity and alignment with international standards.

• Developed a specialized subject headings (topical & geographical) for Palestinian case, supporting standardized cataloging practices and enhancing the accessibility and organization of related collections. 

• Cataloged PLSC’s collection, applying newly established policies and thesaurus guidelines to accurately classify 5,000 books, maps, and archival materials related to Palestine.

• Structured and organized PLSC’s collection, overseeing the classification of 5,000 books on Palestine, maps, and archival materials.

• Leading the Archival Expansion Project, overseeing the growth, digitization, and increased accessibility of archival collections. 

Research and Project Collaboration:

• Collaborated with PLSC’s research affiliates to align their projects with PLSC’s mission, overseeing their onboarding and appointment process. Managed coordination of resources and ensured that each affiliate’s work—ranging from digital archiving to oral history projects—enhanced PLSC’s initiatives in preserving Palestinian cultural heritage.

• Actively supported researchers from AUB, Lebanon, Palestine, the US, and the UK by providing research assistance and facilitating access to archival materials.

Digital and Social Media Management:

• Developed content for the PLSC website (2024) and coordinated the design of the website.

• Coordinated PLSC’s social media presence on Instagram and Twitter, focusing on events, ongoing documentation, and advocacy efforts.

Training and Team Supervision:

• Trained and supervised 8 volunteers, ensuring their activities aligned with PLSC’s mission of cultural preservation.

• Provided training on cataloging and archival standards for PLSC staff, enhancing their capabilities in managing Palestinian-focused collections.

Cataloging and Metadata Librarian; Lebanese National Library

July 2009 to February 2023

RDA Implementation and Policy Development:

• Led the implementation of RDA standards for LNL, adapted for Arabic language materials, and developed policies for cataloging rare books, manuscripts, and Syriac materials.

• Conducted research on RDA rules and library practices, and adapted RDA guidelines to conform to the cataloging needs of Arabic-language collections.

• Developed and updated comprehensive library policies to align with ongoing RDA updates, including specific cataloging guidelines for specialized materials such as Syriac books (with Romanization), manuscripts, and rare collections.

• Trained the cataloging team on RDA standards, ensuring consistent application across all library materials.

• Authority File for Names & Corporate Bodies: Created Authority File Names in line with international standards, contributing to the Lebanese National Library’s inclusion in the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) and enhancing its global visibility. Proofread the Arabic Personal Names Headings Database and established authority files per library practices and international standards.

•  Trained team members on creating authority file names and managed the ongoing process of submitting new Authority File Names to VIAF.

Library System Management and Cataloging:

• Managed and evaluated updates to the library system "Berytos," overseeing its transition to the MARC 21 interface to align with RDA rules.

• Cataloged a diverse array of materials, including rare books, electronic resources, braille, three-dimensional books, toy and movable books, kits, maps, and other special collections.

• Collaborated with the team to establish Arabic Subject Headings for the Lebanese National Library, improving accessibility for Arabic-language resources.

Collection Management and Research Support:

• Organized the periodical stack, ensuring that all materials were accessible and systematically arranged for public use.

• Provided reference services, assisting researchers, students, professors, and the public with locating resources and offering guidance on library materials.

• Supported exhibitions by planning and selecting materials for display, showcasing LNL's resources and contributing to its role as a cultural institution.

Cataloging and Metadata Librarian; Bahai's Public Library

2008 to 2009

• Automation Librarian: Charge on Symphony System and all the updates needed in the library.

• Charge on AACR2 & MARC21: working on developing library policies and procedures.

• Cataloging and proof-reading records keyed by several catalogers.

Brill-IDC (Leiden-Netherland)

Keying British Library old catalog for the publisher Brill-IDC (Leiden-Netherland), 2008-2009.

• Proof reading records keyed by several Librarians for Brill – ICD, 2009.

Conferences, Events, Teach-Ins, Knowledge Mobilization

Conferences 

• Resilient Communities, Resilient Archives Conference: Protecting Heritage, Memory & Land in Palestine & Lebanon an initiative of the Fighting Erasure project Participated in planning and coordinating speakers for this event, program and enhancing the event’s outreach and impact. December 5-7, 2025.

• Justice for Gaza: Participated in planning and coordinating speakers for this high-impact event, ensuring alignment with PLSC’s advocacy mission and enhancing the event’s outreach and impact. June 20-21, 2024. 

• Palestine Week: Participated in organizing 70 events, including PLSC-hosted activities, student-led events. March 4-9, 2024.

Designed and developed the Palestine Week website and Instagram page to enhance engagement, visibility, and outreach.

Events 

Coordinated the planning and execution of 8 events, 3 international collaborations, and 7 teach-ins. Highlights include:

• October 31, 2023: Media Solidarity: Shatha Hanaysha and Carolina Pedrazzi, Organizers: PLSC, Palestine Cultural Club at AUB.

• November 21, 2023: Behind Bars and Beyond, Organizers: PLSC, Palestine Cultural Club at AUB.

• November 30, 2023: The Gaza Fixer Film Screening, Organizers: PLSC, Faculty of Arts and Sciences at AUB.

Co-Teach-Ins 

2023:

• Columbia University Students at Palestine Land Studies Center (AUB).

• Lebanese American University (LAU) visit - Data and Societies Class.

• American University of Beirut Students. 

2024:

• Lebanese American University (LAU) visit - Data and Societies Class.

• American University of Beirut- Four Classes. 

2025:

• American University of Beirut – Two Classes. 

Knowledge Production 

• The Return Game:

  • Led the coordination of the game’s production, ensuring historical and cultural accuracy.

  • Managed the campaign to promote the game and its educational impact.

  • Upcoming: Developing a dedicated website and Instagram page to enhance outreach and engagement.

• Voices of Gaza: Poetry & Art: Charge on collecting and categorizing poetry and artwork reflecting the impact of the Gaza war.

• The Abu Sittah - Gilbert Humanitarian Award (ASGHA)

  • Led the coordination of the award campaign.

  • Managed the nomination process, ensuring a transparent and impactful selection.

  • Organized related events, including Reviving Destroyed Gazan Art Exhibition.

Digital and Social Media Management:

• Developed and managed Palestine Week's website and Instagram page to enhance engagement and visibility.

• Developed and managed The Return Game Instagram page to enhance engagement and visibility.

Training and Education

Lectures and Training Sessions

• RDA Cataloguing Rules – Lecture (2018-2019)

  • Delivered series of lectures on RDA cataloguing rules to Master’s students at Lebanese University.

  • Training on the implementation of RDA cataloguing rules to Master’s students at Lebanese University.

• RDA Cataloguing Rules – Training (2016)

  • Provided training on RDA cataloguing standards to the Cataloguing Department at Beirut Arab University.

• RDA Cataloguing Rules – Training (2015)

  • Provided training on RDA cataloguing standards to the Cataloguing Department at Beirut Arab University.

Consultations

• Provided expert consultations on RDA cataloguing rules and metadata standards for various institutions and library departments in Lebanon and the region.

Upcoming Projects

RDA Website for Arabic Materials 

• Developing a website showcasing policies and practices for the adaptation of Resource Description & Access (RDA) rules for Arabic-language materials.

• The website will provide guidelines, examples in MARC 21 format, and practical applications for cataloging and metadata professionals.

• Aims to support librarians, archivists, and catalogers working with Arabic collections by enhancing accessibility and standardization of RDA rules.

POHA Thesaurus 

Secured an international code for the POHA Thesaurus and currently collaborating with MELA-Palestine Working Group to develop and structure its terms in alignment with global archival and metadata standards.

Memberships

• • 2025-: Member of the International Council on Archive (ICA) 

  • 2025-: Member of the Palestine and Lebanon Archives Task Force at the International Council on Archive (ICA) 

  • 2025-: Member of the MELA Committee on Cataloging 

  • 2024-: Member of the Middle East Librarians Association (MELA) Palestine Working Group 

  • 2023-: Archival & Library Fellow, at Archives & Digital Media Lab

  • 2009-: Member at the Lebanese Library Association

  • 2024-2027: Member at Large, Executive Committee, 2024-2027 at Middle East Librarians Association (MELA) - Withdrew