World History Librarian
Makes Press, Overseas

If you were in Belarus on June 4th, you might have seen a familiar face in the newspaper as you read your copy of Nasha Niva over breakfast. Nasha Niva, the largest weekly Belarusian newspaper in the Belarusian language, printed an article that day about Jim Niessen's work to build a Belarusian collection at the Rutgers University Libraries. This collection now include the papers on Janka Zolak, a noted Belarusian poet and writer, and the papers and books of Jan Zaprudnik, former head of the Belarusian section of Radio Liberty.

In the article, Jim explained that the Rutgers University Libraries are an ideal site for this collection since New Jersey is home to the largest community of Belarusian immigrants in the United States. A photo of Jim illustrated the article.

Jim met with the Nasha Niva reporter in the newspaper's offices in Minsk in May, in an interview arranged by colleagues at the National Library of Belarus. Jim was in town for meetings at the National Library of Belarus with the heads of the Belarusica and Collection Development departments and with the library's deputy director.

Int'l Libraries Leaders
Visit New Brunswick Libraries

Through the efforts of Global Outreach Coordinator Thelma Tate, Rutgers University librarians and libraries staff have had a chance to share perspectives with two internationally prominent librarians over the past two months.

In the photo on the left, Marty Kesselman poses a question to International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) President Kay Raseroka (far left) as Thelma Tate and Myoung Wilson look on. Ms. Raseroka, the director of library services at the University of Botswana, visited Alexander Library on May 18th and participated in an open session with Libraries personnel and SCILS faculty in the afternoon.

In the photo on the right, Association of East-West Information Transfer Chairperson Elisabeth Simon (center) stands with (left to right): Dr. Morad A. Abou-Sabe, former Rutgers University cell biology professor and incoming vice president for research at the University of Science and Technology in Egypt; Thelma Tate; Myoung Wilson; and Marty Kesselman.

Ms. Simon, a lecturer in the Department of Library Science at Homboldt University in Germany, is the former director of the Foreign Relations Office of the German Library Institute. She is the author of numerous books and journal articles on comparative librarianship. Ms. Simon spoke on June 22nd to a Rutgers University Libraries' lunchtime seminar on the topic: "Are Libraries in Eastern Europe Going to be International?"

Libraries' Staff Saluted at Service Recognition Luncheon

University Human Resources hosted a Service Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at Brower Commons, on the College Avenue Campus, to honor staff employees who have completed 10 to 30 years of service at Rutgers. The following library staff members were recognized:

30 years of service

20 years of service

10 years of service

	June 13, 2004 May 9, 2004 The Agenda Archive

Contributors for this issue were Margaret Hodes, James Niessen, and Thelma Tate. Contributions for future issues of The Agenda should be sent to Harry Glazer, editor, at hglazer@rci.rutgers.edu.