Books for Every Student: Library Corners for Remote Schools in Iraq

Educational Campaign

Since its inauguration in November 2023, the AGYA mobile library has become a beloved fixture in Mosul's educational landscape. Over the past two years, the solar-powered bus has travelled to schools, universities, and local events throughout Mosul and its surroundings, bringing books, internet access, and educational resources to communities still rebuilding after years of conflict. Now, building on this success, a new AGYA initiative is working to establish permanent reading corners in 20 remote schools surrounding Mosul, ensuring that the culture of reading takes lasting root in post-war Iraq.

From mobile library to permanent reading corners in rural schools

The mobile library has exceeded initial expectations. It has played a significant role in the summer school program organised in collaboration with the General Directorate of Education in Nineveh and local partners, combining playful and educational activities for children. A recent reading competition with prizes for lucky winners has generated particular excitement, creating a unique educational bridge connecting Mosul's youth with knowledge and literature in ways that feel engaging rather than imposed.

Building sustainable reading communities

The new project, running from 2025 to 2026, recognises that while the mobile library provides crucial access, permanent infrastructure is needed to truly revitalise reading culture in rural areas. Many schools in remote areas surrounding Mosul lack any library facilities whatsoever, severely limiting children's exposure to books and imaginative development. This initiative aims to transform that reality by establishing community-based library corners in 20 primary schools and training local Reading Ambassadors to manage them.

Central to this expansion is a partnership with ‘We Love Reading’, a globally recognised program founded by Dr. Rana Dajani, a Jordanian molecular biologist and professor of biology and biotechnology at Hashemite University, Jordan. 

The project team will travel to Jordan in February 2026 for comprehensive training sessions with ‘We Love Reading’ acquiring both pedagogical techniques and culturally appropriate reading materials. Upon returning to Iraq, they will train 20 local volunteers from the communities themselves, who will run educational programs in the newly established library corners. This community-based approach ensures sustainability and cultural relevance, as the volunteers understand local contexts and can adapt activities to meet specific needs.

We've witnessed how the mobile library has rekindled the joy of reading in Mosul. But we also see schools in rural areas that the bus can't reach regularly. Establishing permanent reading corners with trained local volunteers will ensure that every child in the region has consistent access to books and the support they need to become lifelong readers.

Prof. Dr. Abdulsatar Sultan, AGYA member

Research and international collaboration

The project employs an interdisciplinary research approach, drawing on educational pedagogy, community development strategies, and cultural preservation frameworks to investigate optimal approaches for revitalising youth literacy engagement in post-conflict environments. Data on literacy outcomes, community engagement, and informal education practices are systematically collected throughout the project period.

The mobile library will continue to play a vital role as a bridge between the schools, rotating books and reading materials among the 20 library corners to maintain variety and keep students engaged with fresh content. Beyond simply circulating resources, the bus will bring cultural events, including storytelling sessions, author visits, and educational workshops, to underserved areas. The mobile library will also facilitate communication among volunteers, creating opportunities for them to share experiences and best practices.

The inauguration of the library corners is expected in the Fall of 2026 in tandem with the upcoming school year.