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BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY LIBRARY UPDATE
(BUL-UPDATE)
CONTENT
FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
One of the treasures of the Bethlehem
University Library is the Special Collections - Palestiniana
Division. This section of the library was opened in 1990. It
contains various forms of materials that are characterized by certain
criteria or special features. The materials form a collection that is
relevant to the educational, social and cultural needs of the academic
community. The subject matter includes all fields of knowledge related
to Palestine and Palestinian affairs: geography, social and economic
conditions, history, civilization, education, sciences, arts,
archaeology, etc. The collection is significant to every Palestinian in
the Holy Land and is accessible for the purposes of study and research.
The collection has grown to contain approximately 2,700 volumes. During
the year additional shelves were added to accommodate the growing
collection. Statistics from the current year indicate that 200 books are
borrowed each month. Individual collections donated by Dr. Adnan
Musallam, Dr. Qustandi Shomali, and others are included in the
collection. Old photos, coins, and objects are displayed along with a
large number of rare books.
In addition to Bethlehem University students and
faculty, many visitors take advantage of our special collection.
Students from Hebron University, the Hebrew University, Al-Quds Open
University, professors, authors, researchers, and film makers have
visited in order to use the resources for study and research. We are
proud of this feature of the Bethlehem University Library and encourage
all to take advantage of the treasures contained in the special
collection.
Br. Dominic Smith, FSC
LIBRARY COLLECTION
Bethlehem University Library emphasizes the
need to have a collection of up-to-date books on the shelves. The
collection grows with new books purchased each year through a selection
policy that places the responsibility for choosing the titles, both
English and Arabic, in the academic departments and the chairmen.
In addition, many books are added through grants
and donations. A grant from the European Union has offered us a
significant addition of new books during the year. World Vision
International, the United Nations, the British Council, Palestinian
Central Bureau of Statistics are some other agencies that have made
significant contributions to the collection.
Individual donors include: Florence Gregoric,
Br. Joseph Loewenstein, Fr. John Felago, Dr. Joseph A.
Reif, Lynda Brayer, Dr. Lesley Dawson, and Dr.
Khader Musleh.
Everyone profits from and appreciates the
contributions of these generous donors. The new acquisitions, both
purchased and donated, are in the display areas on the ground floor for
a few weeks before they are placed on the regular shelves.
LIBRARY INSTRUCTION
At the beginning of the fall semester every year
the library staff offers a one session library instruction period to all
first year students. The purpose is to orient the new students to the
library and to help them become familiar with the policies and
procedures, the facility with its resources.
The students are presented with the Student Guide
which provides a detailed outline of the policies and procedures
necessary for daily operations. They are given a tour of the facility in
order to show the location of different materials located in the
library. They are instructed on the way to search in both the print card
catalog and through the computer search.
Explanation concerning the purpose of a library is
explained, the need for maintaining a quiet atmosphere, the emphasis for
an order of books on the shelves, the responsibility of guarding private
property are part of the orientation session.
Every student is instructed to apply for a library
card. The card is necessary in order to borrow books. The students are
encouraged to obtain the card so they can take maximum advantage of all
the resources of the library.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- The staff was able to profit from many
opportunities for professional development during the past year:
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- Mrs. Mary Claire Habash and Mrs.
Gloria Handal participated in the workshop "Executive
Secretary beyond 2000" in Ramallah conducted by the
Bethlehem University Development Center in conjunction with
Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung and MA'.
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- Mr. George Maria participated in the
course "Management and Development of NGOs" held at
Galillee College, Bet Hava, Israel.
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- Ms. Hala Marzouka participated in
the "Symposium on School Libraries in Ramallah conducted by
the Palestinian National Authority, Ministry of Education, and
the workshop dealing with subject headings held in Jerusalem.
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- Ms. Valerie Rock participated in the
workshop "Resume Writing and Interviewing Skills" held
at Bethlehem University.
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- Mr. Francis Sleibi was a participant
in the "Intel Training Program" workshop in Tel Aviv.
He also was the Bethlehem University Library's representative
for the "Training in Database Access" workshop for
Palestinian librarians sponsored by Springer-Verlag in
coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education. The program
was held in Cologne, Germany. He attended the conference in Tel
Aviv treating the "Internet Commerce Revolution." He
attended the "CISCO Systems Technology" workshop in
Jerusalem. He attended the workshop "Internetworking with
Microsoft TCP/IP on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.
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- Br. Dominic Smith participated in
the "Teaching Information Literacy in Academic
Libraries" workshop held at the University of Pittsburgh,
USA.
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
- - Mr. Francis Sleibi is the
Bethlehem University Library representative for the Unified
Palestinian Catalog Committee. He is the representative for the
Palestinian Library and Information Association; he attended the
third librarian's conference held in Ramallah.
- - Mrs. Vera Koussa and Ms.
Hala Marzouka serve on the technical committee for the
association.
- - Ms. Elsa Hazboun serves on the
Committee of Academic Libraries. Monthly meetings discuss topics
relevant for upgrading library services. Currently a proposal for
interlibrary loan is under consideration.
- - Mr. George Maria serves on the
university's home page committee. He and his wife, Natalie, are the
proud parents of their third child, Michelene.
- - A small desk top 1999 calendar was
prepared for sale to raise funds for the Bethlehem University
Scholarship Fund. The calendar features twelve photos of unique
architecture in Bethlehem; photos are by Br. Jean Manuel.
Over NIS 4,700 was added to the fund which rewards the two best
student assistants each semester with an additional reduction in
tuition fees.
- - The library made a contribution of old
and used books to Tamer Institute for Community Education. They
conducted the collection of books in order to distribute them to
small community libraries
- - The Bethlehem University Library in
conjunction with Goethe Institute, Ramallah and International Center
of Bethlehem hosted a workshop on "Library Buildings in Modern
Architecture." About 20 participants, librarians and
architects, from Palestine were in attendance. Ms. Elsa Hazboun, Ms.
Hala Marzouka, and Br. Dominic Smith were the representatives of
Bethlehem University Library.
- - The Bethlehem University Library has
entered into an agreement whereby students at Kinaaneh College,
Jerusalem may use the resources and facilities of our library for
research and study. They follow all the procedures and policies of
the library and may borrow books. They are accorded the same
privileges that we already offer to graduates of Bethlehem
University.
- - Additional signs have been added at
different places to indicate the location of materials.
STUDENT ASSISTANTS AWARDS
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- Recipients of the two best student
assistants awards are:
- Fall 1998-1999 - Ameera Rishmawi and Ula
Bannourah
- Spring 1998-1999 - Mary Shatleh and Lama Abu-Shkhaidem
NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS
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- Over 6,000 books in English and Arabic were
cataloged and classified during the academic year. They are on
the shelves ready for use. Emphasis was placed on purchasing
books in Arabic for the new Department of Religious Studies.
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- Over 3,000 questions were posed at the desk
of the Reference Librarian. All types of questions including:
directional, informational, computer, research and photocopier
problem questions were presented.
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- Countless hours were offered by the
Audiovisual staff to students to instruct and assist them in
using the latest computer resources including CD-ROM and
Internet searches.
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- Recent statistics reflect an average daily
circulation of approximately 135. Use of books in language and
literature, philosophy and religion, economics and sociology,
science, nursing, education, history reflect an emphasis placed
by the Faculties/Departments on our collections.
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| And after a long time the broken down lift
was replaced by a new one through the generosity of our
benefactors. |
- Bethlehem University Library
- P.O.Box 9 Bethlehem, Palestine
- Tel: +972-2-274 1241
- Fax: +972-2-274 4440
- E-mail: dsmith@bethlehem.edu
- Website: http://www.bethlehem.edu
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