Elliot H. Gertel

About

As the Library's selector for materials on Judaica and subject specialist for this area, I acquire books, serials, microforms, electronic products, etc. in Hebrew, Yiddish, English, other Western, and all other appropriate languages in support of the research and instructional needs of faculty and students affiliated with the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Program on Studies in Religion, in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, interested faculty and students in the Departments of History, Political Science, and English Language and Literature.

In addition to serving as selector of Judaic materials, I set priorities for cataloging, processing, preservation, and restoration of materials in this discipline; plan and coordinate University Library exhibits and programs related to Judaic topics; and participate in Library development activities through University and community outreach programs for the purpose of creating greater awareness of the Judaica collections and strengthening links with current and potential friends and donors.

Background

My educational background includes an M.Phil. in Modern Jewish Studies from Oxford University with a subject focus on Yiddish language and literature, modern Jewish history, and Hebrew literature; an MSLS from the University of Kentucky; and a BA in French, theater, and writing from Marlboro College.  Prior to taking up this appointment at the University of Michigan Library in the Spring of 1999, I was Judaica Librarian at Florida Atlantic University for three years and Reference Librarian/Bibliographer for Religious Studies at California State University, Fullerton for five years.  Research and professional interests include Yiddish language and literature, modern Jewish history, and languages in conflict.  I am currently the Association of Jewish Libraries' liaison to the American Library Association and from 2006-2008 was president of AJL's Research Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections (RAS) Division after two years as vice-president and chair of AJL’s Judaica Reference and Bibliography Awards Committee.  From 2002-2004, I was the recording secretary of AJL.  I have also served as chair and program chair of the Jewish Information Committee of the ALA Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round and have extensive experience coordinating and moderating professional library programs.

Responsibilities

• Selection of print, electronic, and microform resources
• Research consultations and reference service
• Subject oriented library instruction
• Development of networked information resources
• Management of existing collections
• Library information sharing

In addition to serving as selector of Judaic materials, I set priorities for cataloging, processing, preservation, and restoration of materials in this discipline; plan and coordinate University Library exhibits and programs related to Judaic topics; and participate in Library development activities through University and community outreach programs for the purpose of creating greater awareness of the Judaica collections and strengthening links with current and potential friends and donors.  I serve on Library, University, and national and international professional association committees and regularly attend association meetings and conferences as well as publish and present papers.

In addition to serving as selector of Judaic materials, I set priorities for cataloging, processing, preservation, and restoration of materials in this discipline; plan and coordinate University Library exhibits and programs related to Judaic topics; and participate in Library development activities through University and community outreach programs for the purpose of creating greater awareness of the Judaica collections and strengthening links with current and potential friends and donors.  I serve on Library, University, and national and international professional association committees and regularly attend association meetings and conferences as well as publish and present papers.