Bet ha-Sefarim ha-Leummi weha-Universitai

Institution name:

Bet ha-Sefarim ha-Leummi weha-Universitai
(Jewish National and University Library (JNUL))
Givat Ram, P.O.B. 34165, Jerusalem 91341, ISRAEL

Library contact person:

Dr. Jonathan Joel, Head Librarian
Tel: 972-2-6585017; Fax: 972-2-6511771

Automation contact person:

Tamar Hazan, ALEPH coordinator
Tel: 972-2-6584691; Fax: 972-2-6511771
E-mail: NNL@RAM1.HUJI.AC.IL; TAMAR@VMS.HUJI.AC.IL

Customer services contact person:

Libby Kahane, Head of Reference Service
Tel: 972-2-6585027 Fax: 972-2-6511771
E-mail: LIBBY@VMS.HUJI.AC.IL

Aleph configuration:

Aleph version: 3.2_5.2 (installed 20-JUL-1995)
Modules used: OPAC, CC, SER, MA, CI, ACQ, IUTIL
Operating system: VMS V5.5-2
Server type: VAX 4300
Network configuration: TCP/IP
Workstations: Visual 65, Visual 603, VT220, VT420, VT510, PC 286/386/486
ALEPH-terminals: search: 12, full function: 71

On line collections:

The main library (NNL) contains 300,000 online records. We have separate files for the various special collections in the library, which can be accessed by the readers.

Edelstein Collection: On the history of science, especially chemistry and textile dyeing, with an important section on the history of medicine. (10,000 records)
European Community: Publications of the Common Market and European Community. (1,500 records)
Gershom Scholem Collection: On Kabbalah, includes many rare books. (25,000 records)
Index of Articles on Jewish Studies (RAMBI): Periodical index first published in 1969, computerized since 1985. (65,000 records)
Jewish Music: Musical materials and books dealing with all aspects of Jewish music, including cantorial and Israeli music. (26,000 records)
Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts: Lists manuscripts from libraries throughout the world held on microfilm, with many access points. (24,000 records)
Master Films of Jewish Press: Project to conserve Jewish newspapers from all over the world. (1,900 records)
National Sound Archives: Audio records of the prayer traditions and oral folklore of the various Jewish communities in Israel and throughout the world. (20,000 records)

Major developments

In August 1994 ALEPH3 was installed in one of the HU library computers, which at the time was jointly used by the JNUL and the Harman Science Library. These two libraries were the first to use the 2-to-3 conversion programme worldwide.

We received sufficient support from Aleph Yissum to cope with the various difficulties involved in this rather complicated operation, and the conversion was reasonably successful.

Major developments planned

Our loan department is presently in a separate file, not interfaced with our library collection. This is planned for the future.
We are testing a programme called Ligature, using a desktop scanner, to convert our card catalogue, especially the Hebrew card catalogue, to an online catalogue. Text recognition has not been satisfactory, because the cards have various type styles dating from different periods, and we would be interested in knowing if other libraries have had better results using similar technology. For the time being, the whole procedure takes more time than keying-in the cards manually.

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