Library Publications

See Previous Updates

BUL - Update (2005 - 2006) FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR     The year has been a year of transition for the library.  With the full implementation of the online catalog through the LibSys.net software the card catalog is no longer in use.  No new records are added to it.  Circulation is managed by recording the transaction in the circulation unit using the university ID with a barcode.  Signing the traditional book card is discontinued.  Everyone can access the online catalog and a personal account for current information from any computer. The staff of the library is involved in new processes to enter data in cataloging, acquisitions, and administering the new system.  Hundreds of hours were used in placing barcode labels on all the books in the collection. Searching the electronic journals databases for current periodical resources has replaced the use of the Readers’ Guide and other periodical indexes.  Full text electronic journals have replaced many printed versions in our collection. For the first time in our history an external reviewer visited our library for a comprehensive study of the operation and to offer recommendations for continuous improvement. Information on these and other ongoing developments is contained in these pages. Br. Dominic Smith   LIBRARY RESOURCES GRANT For the past few years the library has been involved in a major project to improve library resources in all Palestinian universities.  The Academy for Educational Development (AED) – Higher Education Support Initiative (HESI) in cooperation the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) and the Committee of Academic Libraries is managing the development of the project.  USAID is funding the project. The first phase, a one year subscription to EBSCOhost Academic Search Premier, has been completed.  This electronic journals database continues to be available as one of our online databases. The second phase provided five computer work stations to be used solely by students to access electronic journals databases, the online library catalog, and other library resources.  They are placed on the first and second floors. For the third phase the grant provided $45,000 for the purchase of books and non-print resources.  At this time 500 books in Arabic and 60 DVDs have arrived.  They will be available for use after they are cataloged.   EBSCO Session Usage Report - BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY Date Count Average Length Searches Total Full Text PDF Full Text HTML Full Text Image/ Video Smart Link Custom Link Abstract August 2005 70 34 93 75 45 29 1 0 0 64 September 2005 180 37 269 218 67 151 0 20 0 179 October 2005 907 39 2,247 1,241 553 684 4 143 0 1,275 November 2005 380 37 964 384 240 144 0 16 0 475 December 2005 1,205 38 2,749 3,479 1,546 1,933 0 11 0 2,078 January 2006 152 35 272 192 80 112 0 6 0 163 February 2006 472 42 1,230 695 322 372 1 18 0 880 March 2006 688 44 2,713 1,201 713 488 0 18 0 1,349 April 2006 402 42 1,463 737 537 197 3 0 0 801 May 2006 338 38 1,310 471 319 135 17 16 0 451 Totals 4,794 38.6 13,310 8,693 4,422 4,245 26 248 0 7,715 PRINCIPAL DONORS Resource Donor 16 computers European Union LibSys.net Bethlehem University Foundation Academic Search Premier (one year) AED/USAID 5 computer workstations Books in Arabic, DVDs  2 LCD monitors, computer, DVD/video writer De La Salle Institute   OED online eIFL Oxford Reference online DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals Open Society Institute American Marketing Association Journal                      Distribution Program    Sheth and LAMP Foundation   EOLSS online UNESCO/EOLSS ESCWA publications United Nations Books, journals Centre for Arab Unity Studies Books, journals in Tourism TEMPUS Palestinian heritage artifacts Mrs. Elizabeth Moley BOOK COLLECTION - LANGUAGE STATISTICS Language Volumes Arabic 32,579 Arabic-English 309 Arabic-French 4 English 37,644 English-French 3 French 2,564 German 46 Greek 10 Hebrew 15 Italian 38 Latin 37 Russian 9 Spanish 816 Total= 74,074   VIDEOCONFERENCING Due to the generosity of the Italian Catholic Bishops Conference and the government of Finland, Bethlehem University now has a fully functioning videoconferencing facility in L-002.  The new facility can connect with most other videoconferencing facilities throughout Palestine and the world.  It is under the supervision of the AV Center staff. ONLINE CATALOG SEARCHES Date Number June 2005 13 July 2005 611 August 2005 1,326 September 2005 1,141 October 2005 1,423 November 2005 1,452 December 2005 1,461 January 2006 830 February 2006 1,883 March 2006 1,471 April 2006 1,098 May 2006 883 Total= 13,592   CIRCULATION STATISTICS 2005– 2006 L.C.Class Summer 2005 Fall 2005 Spring 2006   Arabic English Total Arabic English Total Arabic English Total A 2 1 3 17 16 33 8 10 18 B 333 14 347 1,177 126 1,303 1,377 198 1,575 C 0 0 0 8 4 12 5 7 12 D 109 12 121 626 58 684 614 107 721 E 0 0 0 9 0 9 13 8 21 F 0 0 0 6 2 8 0 0 0 G 14 19 33 131 47 178 175 58 233 H 115 25 140 1,264 279 1,543 1,366 252 1,618 J 47 4 51 253 16 269 262 32 294 K 2 0 2 7 2 9 7 3 10 L 117 31 148 874 68 942 865 99 964 M 4 0 4 24 8 32 19 5 24 N 10 3