Have you visited the Mel Harrison Library at Temple Judea lately? Now equipped with WiFi and a guest computer for those who have the urge to look something up quickly. So come and check it out, and while you’re at it check out a book! (We operate on the honor system, but we have a two-week return policy.)
Our Catalog is Online! Access to the Library’s carefully chosen collection of books and periodicals is now accessible online from your home computer at judeagables.follettdestiny.com. Just click on the “Mel Harrison Library” and search by author, title, keyword, and more. All Temple Judea members have an account. If you would like information on accessing your personal account from home, e-mail Anna Forer, for assistance.
Mission The library’s mission is to provide quality, up-to-date, free access of material of Jewish content to satisfy the needs of people of all ages in the congregation and religious school, so as to promote a greater understanding of and appreciation for our Jewish heritage and a love of reading, learning and libraries. Most material may be borrowed for limited periods.
Holdings The library currently consists of close to 5,000 books, with an emphasis on works with Jewish subject matter or written by Jewish authors. In addition to books, the library has magazines, cassettes, and videos. All of the books have been cataloged electronically, and a computer terminal is available to help patrons locate material from our online catalog. Collections include adult fiction and non-fiction, an extensive reference collection, and juvenile collections for easy readers, intermediate readers, and young adult. There is also a juvenile reference section and a small Hebrew language section for children. In addition to Judaica, the children’s collections include many secular books, which are shelved separately. New books are continually being added, and are featured in display cases. Our librarian always welcomes suggestions for new books.
History The library at Temple Judea was created by Zelda Harrison in 1970 in memory of her husband. She personally supervised its operation for many years until her retirement. In late 1997, Phyllis Robarts, a Reference Librarian at the University of Miami, took over the position of librarian. The library received national accreditation from the Association of Jewish Libraries in 2002 and was reaccredited in 2010.
Donations and Gifts Donations of books to the library are accepted, with the understanding that there will be selection of those materials most suitable and which do not duplicate our holdings. Gifts for the purchase of materials are most welcome, and encouraged. Such monetary donations ensure the library maintains the most current holdings. For information on making a donation to the library, contact the Temple Office at 305.667.5657.