This event of highlighting books and technology especially in education had as its chosen theme “reading and technology at the service of everyone”. The three-day event started off with the opening of the Book Fair/technology exhibition by Brother Robert FSC, PhD, AVP and Interim Vice Chancellor on the Library’s 2^nd floor.

At 10:30 am, there was a conference convoking academic librarians from the West Bank with guest-librarians from public and community libraries as well.  Brother Robert Smith, gave his powerful, incisive opening remarks (read Bro. Robert Smith remarks) reinforcing the importance of re-orienting reading and technology toward the common good, raising two concerns: promotion of “information/computer literacy” but at the same time safeguarding the kind of information that is received; the second concern refers to access and Brother Robert asked the following questions: “Who has access and how do they gain access? If information is power, how do we empower those with no power, no access, few resources, and little opportunity to avail themselves of the world of books and technology?” Aside from keynote speech by Mellie Brodeth on “Reading, Technology and Change in Academic Libraries” two very important interventions are worth highlighting: the power point presentations of Prof. Qustandi Shomali on “E-Learning at Bethlehem University” and Mrs. Diana Sayej-Nasser, Library Director of Bir Zeit University, on “Promoting, Managing and Marketing E-Resources in Higher Education Institutions: a Case Study”. The Library Administrative Team led by Francis Sleibi and joined in by Rebecca Calaor, Vera Koussa and Hala Marzouka had done a comprehensive and practical presentation of the history, advantages and uses of automation in the university library. After lunch at the Institute of Hotel Management, the conference participants went back to work at Furno Hall. The discussion period opened the session of questions, clarifications and suggestions for improvement in the implementation of automation in libraries. There were calls for organizing a workshop in the future where librarians can further share experiences, resources and expertise.

On Friday, the 11^th of April, the book fair and technology exhibition went on for the 2^nd day with the most number of visitors coming, BU faculty purchasing books for their departments; in the afternoon, the winners of the Painting Contest organized by Turathuna Center for Palestinian Heritage were feted. Brother Robert Smith once again graced the occasion giving out the prizes and certificate to the winners of the contest in two categories: two from Bethlehem University and four students from St. Joseph, Terra Sancta and SOS schools.