Albert Einstein Library: From Princeton to Jerusalem
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2019
Pages:
80-90
Received:
18 August 2019
Accepted:
12 September 2019
Published:
15 October 2019
Abstract: This article, based on both historical and content analysis of Albert Einstein’s private library, presents a comprehensive picture of the Einstein Collection that was located at his home in Princeton, now housed at The Albert Einstein Archives at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His private library consisted of approximately 2,400 titles, including not only books but also a small collection of journals, musical scores and records. Staff members of the Archive succeeded in adding additional books, including works by Einstein himself and ones about him in various languages. These amounted to approximately 1,500 titles. Most of the books in Einstein’s library related to subjects other than physics. Many authors presented copies of their books to Einstein. Those books, usually with autographs or dedications by the authors, dealt with various fields of knowledge – philosophy, literature, religions, Jewish culture, etc. Content analysis of Einstein’s personal library reveals scientific, political, and social connections of the scientist. This article includes information about the main institutions involved in conveying the library to Jerusalem and in organizing it. These were the American Friends of The Hebrew University in New York, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, and the Jewish National and University Library (today The National Library of Israel). The primary sources for the research on which this article is based are 1) material from The Albert Einstein Archives at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2) Inventory Books of the National Library of Israel, 3) Kiryat Sefer, bibliographical quarterly of the Jewish National and University Library, 4) Einstein’s reprint collection at The Weizmann Institute of Science. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) From the Einstein private library items were given as gifts both during his lifetime and after his death; 2) a large proportion of the books that Einstein gave to the National Library of Israel were registered in the Inventory Books of the National Library of Israel before the transfer of his complete library to Jerusalem; 3) Einstein's personal library includes books that actually belonged to other members of his family. For example, there are books, like those that belonged to his secretary Helen Dukas and to his stepdaughter Margot Einstein, that contain either the signature of the former owner or autograph/dedication by the author of the book. The article’s references to the contemporary Israeli press about Einstein’s visit to Israel elucidate Einstein’s role in the founding of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Abstract: This article, based on both historical and content analysis of Albert Einstein’s private library, presents a comprehensive picture of the Einstein Collection that was located at his home in Princeton, now housed at The Albert Einstein Archives at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His private library consisted of approximately 2,400 titles, includ...
Show More
Users Attitude Towards the Use of Library Catalogue in Federal University of Kashere Library in Gombe State, Nigeria
Mohammed Abubakar Dukku,
Andrew Temboge
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 4, December 2019
Pages:
91-97
Received:
29 October 2019
Accepted:
22 November 2019
Published:
2 December 2019
Abstract: The study investigated the awareness and use of library catalogue for accessing information resources by users of Federal University of Kashere (FUK) Library. Four research questions guided the study. Survey research design was used, registered users of the University Library between 2016-2019 numbering 920 formed the population of the study where a sample of 272 (30% sample) was used based on 95% confidence level and 5% confidence interval of Sample Size Calculator. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. Data generated was analyzed using simple percentage and descriptive statistics. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were aware of library catalogue existence; they were more informed about card catalogue usage than OPAC for retrieving information resources. In effect, the respondents use card catalogue regularly compared to the OPAC. Majority of the respondents used the library for research work rather than for leisure and recreational purposes. Poor computer skills hindering navigation when searching OPAC and inability to locate materials on the shelves, indicated in the catalogue as being available were the challenges affecting the use of catalogue as an information retrieval tools. The study recommended that the library management should organize a periodic user education, orientation and sensitization programmes for the undergraduate users to create awareness and enable them gain the needed skills to use the library catalogue maximally when searching for information resources. Guidelines on how to use catalogue and library in general should be prepared and issued to registered users. Regular shelf reading should be done so as to establish right contact between library users and library materials.
Abstract: The study investigated the awareness and use of library catalogue for accessing information resources by users of Federal University of Kashere (FUK) Library. Four research questions guided the study. Survey research design was used, registered users of the University Library between 2016-2019 numbering 920 formed the population of the study where ...
Show More
