NEWSLETTER
June 2008
We are happy to announce that we have recently completed
the installation of two essential systems meant to improve the services
to our readership: the installation of the Aleph 500 software and its
relevant interfaces and the installation of the robotic system for burning
CD's at the Tel Aviv Library.
The high costs involved in the purchase and installation of these systems
were financed by two organizations: Friends of the Library, Switzerland
and Friends of the Library, Holland. We would like to take this opportunity
to thank these organizations for their tremendous help and to acquaint
you a little with them and their activities.
First to be established was the Friends of the Library, Holland. It
was established by Dr. Ludwig Cohn, who was blind himself and lived
in Rotterdam (born in Germany). It was during a visit to Israel in the
early 1950's in his capacity as advisor that he recommended the establishment
of the Library for the Blind in Israel and then went on to establish
the Friends of the Library, Holland organization in order to raise funds
for the of library. Dr. Cohn's work was continued by his son Ruddy Cohn
and his wife, and after his demise it was decided by the Jewish community
in Rotterdam – who appreciated the library's importance - to continue
its support of the organization and to keep in touch with the library.
Friends of the Library, Holland is presently headed by Dr. Didi De Wolff.
Friends of the Library, Switzerland was established in the early 1980's.
An Israeli ophthalmologist, Dr. Benny Shiloh, used to donate to the
library monies received from Israeli patients who visited his Zurich
clinic. It was on one of his visits to Zurich that Uri Cohen, the director
of the Israeli Library asked to meet with Dr. Shiloh in order to thank
him. During this meeting a decision was made to establish an entity
called Friends of the Library, Switzerland, the aim of which would be
to raise money for the library and to finance its special projects.
Ruth Horaam, wife to the than Israeli ambassador to Switzerland, who
later joined the ranks of the library's readership, took part in these
efforts also. Later on the local Jewish community was invited to a conference
in which the Library's aims and activities were explained and a managing
committee headed by Dr. Shiloh was elected. This organization has since
worked tirelessly towards financing many of the library's activities.
Dr. Amos Stern is its present head and when visiting Israel he always
makes it a point to join in the library's Board meetings as well as
Membership's Committee meetings.
Textbooks – Letters have been recently mailed to grade school and high school students requesting that they mail to Zehava, our Chief Librarian, lists of textbooks they require for the upcoming school year. The students should order exisiting books by means of the internet catalog prior to mailing the lists. Textbook lists should be mailed within 2 weeks of the receipt of our letter in order for us to have the books ready by September.
The Internet Catalog – Ordering books though the internet is now possible by means of the new and updated Aleph 500 catalog accessible through the Library's website.
Hoping you continue to enjoy reading,
Uri Cohen
Director
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