Toby, this is such a sad assessment. Apparently my own experience as a Reform
synagogue librarian is unique. I am salaried (based on an annual contract for a
particular number of hours per year), have a book and services purchasing
allowance that is part of the Temple budget, work closely with the temple’s
Director of Education to enhance classroom experience, and the library is a
source of pride for the entire temple community.
I know how fortunate I am, but books and reading are very highly valued by our
Rabbi, and I think his lead has strongly influenced our temple culture. A
senior play-reading group meets in the library; I’m often asked to help find
appropriate readings for holiday or special services; I make sure teachers and
clergy know that the collection has books for children going through difficult
times (deaths of grandparents, for instance) and I’m happy to provide materials
at a moment’s notice.
As I write this I can see that I’ve tried to make the point that the library is
not separate and apart from the temple – it’s a living breathing part of the
community that has much to offer (as opposed to a dusty, old “room of books”).
A few years ago the Director of Education instituted “Chugim”, electives, as an
occasional adjunct to the weekend religious school. The hope was to raise the
interest level for the students and shake up the curriculum a bit. I was asked
if I wanted to lead a Library “Chug” and agreed on one condition: I would
READ. My reasoning was simple: a student who chose the Library Chug was
choosing reading -- not arts and crafts in the library – and so it would be
about books. All these years later, the library’s is the most popular Chug, and
the one most imbued with Jewish values, and mostly… Chelm stories. I started
with them to get the students’ attention and interest, and year after year it’s
what they love, and frankly, WHERE ELSE are they learning about shtetl life in
a way that’s engaging and will stick with them? (and by the way… I discourage
the use of “stupid” to describe the Chelmites; I tell my students that they are
“curious” and just don’t have a lot of information). I encourage students to
tell their parents the stories (most young parents have never heard of Chelm or
the stories; this is part of our Judaic legacy!) and then I hear from the
parents that their children want these books. I’ve been able to introduce
non-readers to the Rabbi Harvey books and then I hear from the parents that
their children are sending emails to Steve Sheinkin!
We also have a Birthday Book Club for the younger (K-3) grades. A month before
each child’s birthday a letter is sent to the family, offering them the
opportunity to make a small contribution ($18) to enroll their child in the
club. The child and parent come to my office and choose one of the
recently-purchased books I have that are catalogued and ready to be shelved.
The chosen book is book-plated and personalized (“from mom and dad {or
grandma/uncle/etc.] in honor of Shlomo Cohen’s 6th birthday”) and becomes a
permanent part of the library collection. This is a big thrill to these new
readers – much less so once they reach 4th grade – and it has served as a
wonderful bond to the library… and the temple.
This is not about blowing my horn – I have my temple board, my Rabbi and the
congregation to thank for putting their money where their values are. If you
want your children to read, Show Them The Books.
I am happy to share more – contact me via the email below – and I hope to see
some discussion in response to Toby’s and my posts.
Amy Turim
Temple Emanuel
Kensington, MD
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
From: Toby Harris [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2016 5:50 PM
To: 'Andrea Rapp' <[email protected]>; Heidi Rabinowitz
<[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] supportive library article
Yes, public libraries are doing great! I hate to be Debbie Downer but that
article just depressed me. Sound effect: wonk, wonk. I suppose I’m just
jealous…
Synagogues and day schools still seem to be suffering financially, and while
I often feel the nostalgia and even enthusiasm for our synagogue libraries from
members and nonmembers - the financial, time and professional investment does
not necessarily follow. To truly utilize and transform our beautiful spaces
and incredible collections requires that same infusion of money and innovation
that the public libraries are getting. How can we translate those public
library user needs into programs that our 21st century synagogue members and
unaffiliated community need and want, are not getting elsewhere and are willing
to support? How can we generate that kind of enthusiasm in a private,
religious community? Will public libraries collaborate with us in developing
programs of Judaic interest?
Toby
Toby Harris, Librarian
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
206-693-3379 Seattle
425-559-2578 Bellevue
http://lib.tdhs-nw.org <http://lib.tdhs-nw.org/> for library hours, programs
and CATALOG
From: Hasafran [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Andrea Rapp
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2016 12:55 AM
To: Heidi Rabinowitz
Cc: [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [ha-Safran] supportive library article
Amazing article, but it kept referring to "library workers," not librarians.
Is this going to be our new moniker, the way doctors have become "health care
providers?"
Andrea Rapp
Sent from my iPad
On Jul 5, 2016, at 1:01 PM, Heidi Rabinowitz <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> > wrote:
Here is a wonderfully upbeat article about the power of libraries and the love
people have for them. It’s about public libraries in New York City, and even
though it doesn’t exactly apply to my synagogue library, it’s still very
uplifting, and probably worth sharing with your boss and your library’s
stakeholders. Thanks for Pnina Moed Kass for sharing it with me. – Heidi
Rabinowitz
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/nyregion/resurgent-new-york-city-libraries.html?emc=eta1
<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/05/nyregion/resurgent-new-york-city-libraries.html?emc=eta1&_r=0>
&_r=0
===============================
Listen to THE BOOK OF LIFE Podcast!
Hosted by Heidi Rabinowitz
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