Library - Update
(Spring 2001)
FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
TURATHUNA
DONORS
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
| FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
One day a few months ago I was working at the card catalog and I
overheard a conversation between a group of young men and the reference
librarian. It was clear that these young men were visitors to our library
and they were asking where certain items were found. It happens that they
were students at another West Bank University and came to our library in
order to find the information needed for their research. Another day soon
after another group was repeating the same scenario. They came not because
there is no library at their university but because they can find here
what they need to find. Visitors come frequently to research on a wide
variety of topics. Despite the difficulties, problems, and limitations
that we experience we continue to offer opportunities for the serious
learner to improve and advance through education.
In a recent study conducted in one of the courses on campus results
indicated that some of our students are unaware that there is a center for
Palestinian heritage located in the library. The center, called Turathuna,
is found on the first floor. Everyone is welcomed to visit and to take
advantage of the important resources available here and in all the
different areas of the library.
Br. Dominic Smith
Click on to
http://campus.bethlehem.edu/forms/search/index.php

Þ
Search the catalog for books in English online.
Þ
Monthly lists of new books received in the library.
Þ
EBSCO Publishing – access to database search of full
text of scholarly publications for all academic areas of study.
Þ
EBSCO Online - access to full text of all online journal
subscriptions.
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Best student assistants' awards
Fall 2000-2001
Dina Abu Farha (Business III)
Darin Khmaise (Arabic IV)
Spring 2000-2001
Najwa Dirriyeh (Chemistry III)
Manar Alayan (Education II). |
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| TURATHUNA
Turathuna: Center for
Palestinian Heritage at Bethlehem University opened at the beginning of
the academic year. The center, funded by a grant from Ireland Aid, aims to
contribute to building a positive Palestinian identity, through increased
familiarity, with and pride in, national heritage.
Students and visiting
researchers have used the Palestiniana Collection extensively in doing
research and preparing course assignments.
The committee has worked in planning and preparing displays for the
center.
Numerous items have been
donated for the exhibit areas. Examples
of glass, pottery, olive wood, mother of pearl, carpet, dress, embroidery
and many other artifacts that reflect local heritage and culture are on
display.
Three donors, in
particular, have made very generous contributions of a variety of items.
Egyptian Arab Land Bank
financed the purchase of the artistic Palestinian pottery for the wall
panel under the large window and the handmade Bedouin carpet mounted on
the wall.
Mrs. Elizabeth Moley from
Saratoga, California had donated many items used in the home, such as a
grinder for coffee or grain and a brush for taking care of the wool of
sheep. In addition, she gave
different pieces of clothing for women, such as a headdress and a face
veil.

Mrs. Maha Saca Director of the Palestinian
Heritage Center, presents a gift to Br. Dominic
Smith, Library Director and Mrs. Mary Morcos,
Curator of Turathuna. |
Mrs. Maha Saca has made a large
contribution for her father. She
contributed many books and a table and chairs in order to create a
special corner dedicated to his memory.
Also, she gave clay products used in preparation of food and
handmade straw products used to serve food.
| Many other items that reflect the Palestinian
culture have also been received. Special arrangements can be
made for items to be loaned to the center for a limited
time. A complete list of the donors can be seen in the
center. Our sincere appreciation goes to all who have
donated. |
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DONORS
The list of donors to the
library continues to expand. During
the past year four specific projects have added a large number of new
books to the library collection.
The Institute of Conflict Resolution at George Mason University in
Fairfax, Virginia, supported by USAID has provided the library with a
collection of books on conflict management and related topics. The project
was coordinated by Dr. Vivian
Khamis of the Department of Social Sciences.
Dr. Henry Jaqaman, Dean of the Faculty of Science, has obtained a
collection of books in various topics in Physics through a grant from DFG,
German Research Foundation.
The Tantur Ecumenical Institute has donated a collection of books on
Scripture, History of the early Church, Judaism, holy women and other
religious subject.
International Accounting Standards Committee, supported by USAID, is
providing educational materials in management, accounting, auditing,
finance and similar topics. The project was coordinated by Mr. Fadi Kattan, Chairman of the Department of Accounting.
Significant contribution
have been received from other donors and organizations:
Fr. Jacques Amaties, SDB
Br. Myron Collins
Ms. Fernande Delaby
Fr. Peter Dubrul
Dr. Jeanne Kattan
Tony and Eileen Nesnas
Mr. Harry Verbrayer
Mr. Fawzi Salameh
Mr. Rubi Abu Sneineh
Mr. Lutfi Zaglul
Mr. Imad Alatrash
Mr. Kamal Ghneim
Ms. Ghania Mulhis
The British Council
Pontifical Biblical Institute
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens Rights |
Palestinian Institute for the Study of Democracy
Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies
Jenin Center for Strategic Studies
British School of Archaeology

Mrs. Naomi Nobel, Director of the British School of Archaeology,
presents the two volume set ''Ottoman Jerusalem'' to Br. Dominic
Smith. |
ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
At different times during the year the library gave away old and used
books. The storage areas on
the second and third floors were cleared and these books were sold for a
contribution to our student assistant scholarship fund.
Recipients of donated books include:
Latin Patriarch Seminary, Beit Jala
Student Teologico Salesiano, Cremisan
Terra Sancta School for Boys, Bethlehem
Terra Sancta School for Girls, Bethlehem
Talitha Kumi School, Beit Jala
Palestinian Union of Social Workers and Psychologists |
Cultural Center of Palestinian Child, Beit Sahour
Dar al Kalimah School
Association des Professeurs de Francais
Palestine Ornithological and Biodiversity Center, Bethlehem
Center Multaqua al Fikry |
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| PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Staff members took advantage to profit from a
variety of different professional activities throughout the year.
Mr. George
Awwad attended a weeklong workshop at Bir Zeit University in
''Cataloging and classification''.
Ms. Gloria
Handal attended the course ''Quality Office Service'' conducted by Dr.
Usama Shahwan and organized by the office of Personnel Management.
Mr. George
Maria participated in the workshop ''Grant Proposal Writing''
facilitated by Br. Kenneth Cardwell and arranged by the Office of
Personnel Management. He followed the Media course offered by a specialized
Committee from Finland. The
course was held in cooperation between Diakonia Polytechnic and Bethlehem
University. He assisted at a
presentation offered by the British Council entitled ''The Provision of
Information Support to Distance Learners''.
He was also involved with the special course in designing and
producing multimedia software. And
finally he attended the training computer course entitled ''Microsoft
Access'' conducted by the Institute for Community Partnership and taught
by Mr. Tarik Daoud.
Ms. Hala
Marzouka participated in a four-day workshop organized by the British
Council in cooperation with Al Quds Open University in ''Promoting and
Marketing Services''.
Ms. Mary
Morcos attended a training course entitled ''Conducting Effective
Meetings'' arranged by the Institute of Community Partnership and taught
by Dr. Jeanne Kattan.
Ms. Manal
Musleh has completed two English Language courses at Bethlehem Bible
College.
Mr.
Francis Sleibi enrolled in a course entitled ''Professional Graphic
Design'' offered by Target Human Resource Development Ltd. in Ramallah.

Mr.
Francis Sleibi, in
front of the Library of
Congress in
Washington, DC.
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The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at
the United States Department of State has selected Francis
to participate in the Multi-Regional International Visitor program
entitled ''Libraries and Information Management''.
The three-week program gave an opportunity to meet American
library and information specialists and to exchange views on the
latest developments. Visits
to libraries in Washington, D.C.; New York City; Columbus, Ohio;
Iowa City, Iowa; Los Angeles and the annual American Library
Association Conference in San Francisco were on the agenda.
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