International Leads

ISSN 0892-4546 International Leads A Publication of the International Relations Round Table of the American Library Association Volume 17 March 2003 Number 1 The Central University Library Rises from the Ashes in Bucharest, Romania By James P. Niessen he dominant image for Romanian librarians of the events for this purpose already in 1931. As the result of this work, Tof 1989 is of the smoking ruin of the Central the library’s total internal space and reading room area more University Library (BCU), caught in the crossfire on than tripled; the stacks space more than quadrupled and can what is today officially Revolution Square. The fire now accommodate two million volumes, and there are 150 consumed 500,000 volumes, including the Department of public computers where there were none previously. Rare Books and Manuscripts with the papers of many leading writers, most traumatically those of Mihai The restoration of the building Eminescu, and various incunabula and other early imprints. Library Director Ion Stoica rededicated the library in the presence of the country’s political leaders and The old building distinguished foreign guests on November 20, 2001, The ruined building had been dedicated in 1914. It gained a 110 years after its founding. He recounted with justifiable central role in the life of the country’s leading university, as a pride the earlier history and recent reconstruction of the host for distinguished public lectures. After 1948, it was library and spoke eloquently of its future. The new library regarded as a national center for Romanian literary was more than “a large documentary entity. Its true bibliography. An international campaign to aid the library after 1989 brought the donation of 4 million volumes from Britain, over a million guilders worth of books, equipment, and assistance from the Netherlands, large book donations from France, the United States, Canada, and Italy, a monetary contribution from the German Research Society, and gifts from many other countries. The inevitable duplicates were distributed by BCU librarians to libraries in Romania and the newly independent Republic of Moldova. The General Director of UNESCO issued an appeal for support of the reconstruction and modernization of the library “by means of voluntary contributions in cash or in the form of equipment and services.” The first step in the resurrection was the launch of a computerized catalog already in 1990, making the BCU the first library in the country with networked acquisitions, cataloging, OPAC, and circulation systems. International funds and government support made possible not only the The new entrance to the Central University Library. restoration of the original landmark building facing the The banner reads “110 Years.” square, in eclectic style, but the construction of a new (Photo: James P. Niessen, November 2002) wing in modern style on adjoining land, appropriated Continued on page 2 March 2003 International Leads 2 The Romanian Library overwhelming portion of library circulation, visitors, and on-site IRRT Officers Continued from page 1 use of collections last year. Seven Chair quality is tied to the new philosophy branches have their own independent Karen J. Starr on which the establishment is OPACs; the rest have none but card New Mexico State Library based, a philosophy centered on catalogs. Having completed their placing information resources in a move into the new facility only a year Vice Chair/Chair-Elect commons…[in] a stimulating and ago, BCU librarians are now working Roman V. Kochan productive relationship between real toward improved collaboration California State University and virtual, a means of integration in reference and collection development at Long Beach with higher education and with throughout the system. The strategic research, which will better capitalize Past Chair upon Romanian resources of H. Lea WellsH. Lea Wells intelligence, i.e. a model that is North Carolina State University dynamic, scalable, far from the frozen and dusty libraries of yesterday.” Secretary/Treasurer Jeannette E. Pierce Today’s students enter the library not Johns Hopkins University through the massive old doors and staircase facing the square, but through Members-at-Large a flat expanse of glass indenting a corner Denise M. Davis of the sleek new tract that faces a side Simmons College street. Inside, lockers and coat check quickly accommodate your extra Members-at-Large belongings. You exchange your library Rebecka Lindau card for an entry card that you swipe Princeton University at an electronic door. Once you pass into the atrium, staff at the check-in counter provide a seating Entering the library atrium. card for one of the seven reading (Photo: James P. Niessen, rooms (you can select your preferred November 2002) International Leads (ISSN 0892- seat on the computer monitor) in plan stipulates the progressive 4546) is published quarterly by the International Relations Round Table of exchange for your entry card. Each completion of retrospective cataloging, reading room has a reference collection the American Library Association in the eventual integration of the central March, June, September, and in designated subjects. An attendant and branch catalogs, and steps toward December. The first issue was takes your seating card and contacts cooperative collection development published in 1957. IL contains news the page if you have requested across the university and outside it. about international library activities, materials identified from the OPACs. the international work of ALA and In early November 2002, I was other organizations, and people and Access to the collection graciously received by Ion Stoica and publications in the field. IL is indexed Information on the library Web page his colleagues. We spent productive by Library Literature and Library and Information Science Abstracts makes it clear that Ion Stoica’s vision days of research in the BCU and in of a networked library has not yet been (LISA) and is sent free to all members the larger collection, but more of IRRT (dues $10); non-ALA realized. You see no card catalog in spartan surroundings of the Library of members can subscribe for $12 per the atrium of the BCU because it the Romanian Academy. A few year by writing to International was destroyed in 1989. The BCU is the weeks later, colleagues in the BCU Relations Office, American Library largest of the libraries of the University honored Dr. Stoica at the end Association, 50 E. Huron Street, of Bucharest, but one of fourteen of his many years of leadership of the Chicago, IL 60611. Materials for IL in all. Of their estimated 1.8 volumes Central University Library. With them, should be sent to International today, thirty-seven percent are in the I wish him a pleasant retirement and Leads Editor, Sha Li Zhang, Wichita central library, and only thirty-seven many years to come. La mulþi ani! State University Libraries, 1845 percent of these are in the OPAC, (James P. Niessen is World History Fairmont, Wichita, KS 67260, USA, e-mail: which itself includes only the BCU’s Librarian at the Alexander Library, [email protected] collection. The rest is in the thirteen Rutgers University in New Brunswick.) branch libraries which saw the March 2003 International Leads 3 Message from the IRRT Chair By Karen Starr n a few short months, librarians will programs and activities which Kargbo at New York University Ibe converging in Toronto from feature international topics. There will Library, along with the members of around the world to support the work be an international poster session the Reception Subcommittee, are of libraries and librarians, learn coordinated by the International planning a number of activities from the conference programs, and Posters Subcommittee chaired by along with the good food and enjoy the hospitality offered at the Marty Kesselman from Rutgers good conversation to create an 2003 ALA/CLA Annual Conference. University. The International Papers enjoyable evening. Stay tuned for Are you interested in participating in Subcommittee, chaired by Susan information about how to purchase the full scope of activities of the Schnuer of University of Illinois your tickets for the reception. International Relations Round Table? Library, encourages the scholarly There is plenty to see and do and all of exchange of ideas on library issues I encourage you to visit the IRRT you are welcomed at the round table. between U. S. librarians and their website for more information colleagues from other countries. The about how you can participate in The International Visitors Center Subcommittee is calling for papers and the Round Table programs as well as Subcommittee, chaired by Bleue seeking four to five presenters from upcoming information about the Benton from the public library at Oak foreign countries who represent 2003 ALA/CLA Annual Conference Park, Illinois, will be greeting and a wide diversity of opinions and to be held in Toronto, June 19 through assisting international attendees in approaches to the library field. The June 25, 2003. Stay tuned on the the International Visitors Center at the official IRRT program occurs on ALAWORLD listserv for additional conference. Librarians from the U.S. Monday, June 23, between 1:30 activities and information about the and Canada are encouraged to contact and 5:00 p.m. This year the time International Relations Round Table. Bleue at [email protected] and sign slot will be shared by the Program up for a time slot to be a host. It is a Subcommittee chaired by Pat Harris wonderful opportunity to learn about from NISO and the Sister Libraries Welcome Toronto from our Canadian co-hosts Subcommittee chaired by Fred J. Gitner and to meet librarians from a myriad at Queens Borough Public Library, New IRRT Members! of countries around the world. both of which will be hosting programs Atlanta – Fulton Public Library of international interest.

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