The History of the YIVO Library

(NEW YORK, November 16, 2012) – The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is pleased to announce a conference on the history of the YIVO Library, to be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 7:00pm.

This program will introduce to the public the fascinating history of the treasures of the YIVO Library and the often dramatic stories of their survival. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the return of the YIVO and Strashun collections from Frankfurt am Main to YIVO's New York headquarters in 1947. The Nazis had looted the books in order to present them as part of the planned Nazi Institute for the Study of the Jewish Question. Speakers include outstanding scholars and historians who have done profound research about the library's collections. The evening will include a digital presentation of the YIVO Library materials.

For press inquiries, contact:

Dr. Lyudmila Sholokhova
Director of the YIVO Library
Associate Director for External Relations in Eastern Europe and Russia
(212) 294-6168

Program:

Jonathan Brent (YIVO Executive Director)
Introductory Remarks

Lyudmila Sholokhova (YIVO Head Librarian)
YIVO Library’s Treasures: Looking Forward into the Future

Cecile Kuznitz (Bard College)
Dos zamlen: YIVO's Early Collection/Documentation Efforts

David Fishman (Jewish Theological Seminary)
The History of the YIVO Library Collections During WWII

Zachary M. Baker (Curator of Judaica and Hebraica Collections and Assistant University Librarian for Collection Development, Stanford University Libraries)
The Legacy of Mendl Elkin, the New York YIVO's First Librarian

Bella Hass Weinberg (St. John’s University)
· Organization of the YIVO Library Collections: Physical Arrangement, Classification Systems, and Cataloging Principles
· Recollections about Dina Abramowicz