Detroit's Jewish
libraries have a
myriad of materials
available, but
a dwindling clientele
Dewey adapter Mae Weine.
At the turn of the century," explains
Weine, "even the New York Public
Library grappled with this problem
and came up with its own classifica-
tion system for cataloguing its grow-
ing Jewish collection."
Through the years, many Jewish
librarians with small to mid-size col-
lections created their own idiosyn-
cratic cataloguing scheme. Often,
these systems would prove difficult
for their successors to continue.
To help systematize cataloguing,
Mae Weine adapted the Dewey Dec-
imal system. Her adaptation became
The Weine System, used since the
1950s across the country in Jewish
libraries with approximately 10,000
books.
The Dewey System gives the
Christian religion numbers 220
through 290, broken down into sym-
bolism, administration, ministry,
history, etc. But Judaism is only as-
signed one number — 296. Weine
Midrasha's Sarah Bell.
simply reversed the two for Jewish
libraries.
The book field is constantly
changing, so I revise the system
whenever it's needed," Weine ex-
plains. In 1982, the seventh edition
was reissued."
Weine is one of the 35 librarians
who founded the national Associa-
tion of Jewish Libraries in 1962. The
professional group includes research
and special libraries, such as those
located at Hebrew Union College and
the Jesirish Theological Seminary in
New York, and synagogue, temple,
school and community center lib-
raries.
The association runs annual con-
ferences and confers annual awards
for the year's best Jewish juvenile
book and best Jewish reference book.
Weine was also instrumental in
forming the Jewish Library Associa-
tion of Metropolitan Detroit in 1974.
Currently the librarian at Beth Ab-
raham Hillel Moses, she speaks
highly of Detroit's Jewish libraries.
"We offer the community a great
many more Jewish books than can be
found in general collections at public
libraries. Everything from research
and pedagogical materials, Hebrew
and Yiddish books, Jewish tapes, re-
cords and films. Each library is only
limited by space and financing."
Financing is the key ingredient.
Some of the larger synagogue lib-
raries, like Temple Beth El and Con-
gregation Shaarey Zedek, have
active budgets and therefore, consis-
tent hours, several paid librarians, a
full complement of volunteers and
the newest and best books, periodi-
cals and audio-visual materials.
Established in 1878, Beth El's
collection is housed in the large,
Minoru Yamasaki-designed library.
New and well lit, the finely-
furnished room looks out onto the
landscaped grounds.
"We have been very fortunate,"
says librarian Marilyn Brenner. "I'm
proud to say we can buy anything
new and available. One of our newest
additions is the leather-bound collec-
tion of Eli Wiesel's books."
The library houses the Leonard
Simons collection of rare Judaica,
over 1,000 leather bound original
volumes ranging from the 16th to the
18th Century. There is also the Irv-
ing Katz Jewish Americana Collec-
tion, invaluable to any Michigan re-
searcher, as well as complete collec-
tions of bound Jewish periodicals and
annual yearbooks.
The Beth El library is open to the
community and offers a non-member
user card for a small fee. Visitors will
find a wide variety of non-fiction,
current fiction, and 60 Jewish news-
papers and periodicals from around
the world. A growing collection of
large-print books and books on tape
are also available.
Special emphasis is placed on the
children's section, full of appealing
books, tapes, films, records and
games. "We want the children to feel
there are interesting books in a
Judaic library as well as in their pub-
lic school library," says Brenner.
Shaarey Zedek's library is often
called on by out-state libraries and
non-Jewish writers or students. 'Up-
to-date in all areas of Judaica, the
library offers a fine collection of fic-
tion, including many Israeli authors
in translation. "New books are corn-
ing in all the time," says Sharon Co-
hen, one of Shaarey Zedek's three
part-time librarians. "We're not lack-
ing for anything."
Of particular emphasis is the
children's collection which serves the
religious school. There is also a siza-
ble audio-visual collection of
filmstrips, records, video tapes and
computer programs.
Two large community libraries
housed in the Jewish Community
Center and Midrasha College, are
trying to hold their own amid declin-
ing budgets and declining patronage.
"It's a question of priorities," says the
Jewish Community Center's Parker.
"Many institutions don't budget
enough money to pay for professional
librarians. At the JCC, I have limited
hours. Our few volunteers try to keep
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