BETH – European Theological Libraries

The European Libraries of Theology ( Bibliothèques européennes de théologie, BETH ) is an ecumenical, institutional Library Association, which was founded in 1961 and is based in Nijmegen (The Netherlands). Objective of the association is to contribute to the development of theological libraries in Europe and to promote the cooperation of its members.

History

1957 met in Frankfurt on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Association of Catholic Theological Libraries ( AKThB ) some librarians who laid the foundation for an association, the anticipation of the future Association BETH. These librarians, Father Luchesius Smit of the Vereniging voor Seminarie -en Kloosterbibliothecarissen ( VKSB, Netherlands), Father Francis Courtney of the Association of British Theological and Philosophical Libraries ( ABTAPL, United Kingdom) and Father Paul Mech of the Association of bibliothèques des Sciences religieuses in France had the concern to contribute to the development of the Christian faith by promoting professional exchange between theological libraries

It seemed to them essential to improve the professional qualifications to work for international bibliographies and promote mutual support in order to fulfill its mandate fully. One could, based on they reply with the quote from Johan van Wyngaerden, which referred to the founder of the VKSB: "They saw it as an apostolic mission, to care not only about the preservation of valuable collections of books of seminaries and convents, but this also to provide a wider public. "

On October 18, 1961, the Conseil was based in Frankfurt international des associations de bibliothèques de théologie (International Council of theological library associations ) where initially gathered librarians from Germany, France and the Netherlands. 1970 of the Comité the Conseil international des associations de bibliothèques de théologie by itself increased by several national theological library associations and 1971-1986 Member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA ) was. It appeared joint publications: the Scripta recenter edita: Bibliography courante of ouvrages philosophiques et théologiques were published 1959-1973, and 1959-1965 the Bibliographia ad usum seminarorium sélectionna les outils nécessaires aux études théologiques ( liturgy, missiology, ecumenism ).

Wishing to emphasize the specifically European operations, was out of the Council of the Association Bibliothèques Européennes de Théologie / European Theological Libraries / European Libraries of Theology, who settled in Nijmegen and was administered at the Catholic University of Leuven.

2010 BETH comprises twelve national member associations and 13 associate members.

With the support of national organizations and the exceptionally rich collection of the appropriate libraries BETH organizes an annual conference. The official languages ​​of the Association are English and French, in which the communication takes place mainly in English. BETH supports its members in it, to unite for the acquisition of database licenses, and distributes throughout the year information about exhibitions, conferences and ongoing digitization projects.

Symbolic meaning

In Hebrew, Beth is the second letter of the alphabet and the first of the Bible by beginning the text with the word " Bereshit " ( in the beginning). The letter Beth has the meaning of home, building, construction.

A Hungarian graphic designer in 2008 designed the logo of the association. It expresses the tradition of studying and " lectio divina " from represented by the lectern, as well as the modernity of the library profession, represented by computer keyboards with the four letters.

List of ordinary members

  • Association of Bibliothèques Chrétiennes de France - France ( ABCF )
  • Associazione dei Bibliotecari Ecclesiastici Italiani - Italy ( ABEI )
  • Asociación de Bibliotecarios de la Iglesia en España - Spain ( ABIE )
  • Association of British Theological and Philosophical Libraries - United Kingdom ( ABTAPL )
  • Association of Catholic Theological Libraries - Germany ( AKThB )
  • Egyházy Könyvtárak Egyesülése - Hungary ( EKE )
  • Federacja Library Kościelnych - Poland ( FIDES )
  • Forum for Teologiske above Religionsfaglige Library - Norway ( FTRB )
  • Unione Romana Biblioteche Ecclesiastiche - Italy ( URBE )
  • Association ecclesiastical academic libraries in the Association of Archives and Libraries in the Protestant Church ( AABevK ) - Germany ( VkwB )
  • Vereiniging van Religieus - Wetenschappelijke Bibliothecarissen - Belgium, flämischsprachiger part ( VRB)
  • Vereiniging voor het Theologically Bibliothecariaat - Netherlands ( VTB )
Bet (letter)
123501
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