Maud Stephan is a professor at the Lebanese University and a researcher focused on publishing, reading and cultural practices and open access to information. She holds a PhD in humanities, an MA in philosophy, and a graduate diploma in information sciences. Between 1999 and 2003, Maud led the Rehabilitation of the Lebanese National Library project. She continued as an advisor for the project until 2018. From 2000 to 2003, she served as an advisor to the culture minister on book and library affairs. She led the Centers for Reading and Cultural Activity network under the Lebanese Culture Ministry, in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie. Through this project, she established 14 reading centers across Lebanon, curating collections with a strong emphasis on Arabic children’s literature. Maud also co-founded the Assabil - Friends of Public Libraries Association.