Beyachad library: Parness is taken aback by Fine’s reaction

Marcia Parness
I don’t believe that her reading of Suzanne Belling’s article was correct. At no stage did either of us say that I was currently raising funds for the Isie Maisels Reference Library, or that I volunteered for it. However, it appears that she was equally upset about her picture not appearing.
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I have been a member of the library committee since my student days and had the privilege of learning from the greats, such as the late Joe Green, Solly Yellin, Moshe Natas etc.

This story goes back five years when the SAZF and the SAJBD withdrew all funding from the libraries and there was an intention to close it down and bring tenants into the space; dispose of its contents, our history and our gems of knowledge (which by the way, are not found on the internet).

To many of us the thought was abhorrent, and we fought to stop this happening. However, as there were no funds available, money had to be raised to keep the doors open, pay rent and a librarian. We condensed the area used by 50 per cent. (Lionel Slier need not be embarrassed by the reprint of his [three-year-old] letter, because it was true at the time.)

The other task that had to be undertaken was moving into the 21^st century and converting the Joe Green Audio-Video Library to a DVD facility. Leon Lever volunteered his expert services and today, with Eric Mathobo’s technical skills, can boast a library of 3 000 titles for the community to borrow and enjoy.

We continue to purchase and upgrade the contents on a regular basis. To keep up to date we need funding.

Without the generous financial support of certain individuals, and the membership fees, the libraries would have closed. The Jewish Report, Geoff Sifrin and Robyn Sassen alerted the community to our plight. It was not easy, but we managed to keep the doors open.

Since December 2013 the SAZF made the decision to take over the funding once again; however, the commitment is to the Reference Library, and the now well-established Joe Green Audio-Visual Library. In this technological era, a computer and Internet availability is a must. The audiovisual library needs a computer urgently.

The fiction library is currently housed together with the audiovisual library, but in need of new titles. We should appreciate donations of novels, in good condition, with a Jewish theme for the public to borrow.

With the new opening hours of the libraries, I hope that every one reading this will have many happy hours enjoying and learning from what is available.

Joe Green Audio-Visual Library (volunteer)

Honorary Life President SAZF