Dr Serageldin’s invitation to visit

I wish to welcome all organizations and individuals the world over, and particularly the Friends Associations, to visit the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina. We extend our sincere appreciation to all, and acknowledge your contributions and patronage in support of the Library over the past years, and encourage you to continue to offer your support for the next phase of operation and maintenance of this unique institution that will be a meeting place for dialogue and understanding between peoples and civilizations, and an important cultural institution for Egypt, the Region and the World.

I hope to meet you during this exciting Inauguration Year.

Sincerely,

Ismail Serageldin
Librarian of Alexandria
Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina



Egyptian Association Welcome Note


It is my honor and gives me great pleasure to initiate the new Egyptian Association of the Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (EAFBA). Launched in Alexandria, where our headquarters is located, the EAFBA has members in all parts of Egypt. From Alexandria, the city and its citizens offer their full support to the new Library of Alexandria, and we hope that our activities will benefit both the library and help to drive the new cultural awareness that the opening of the library is bringing to the city. We have a dedicated Board for the Friends, and many active volunteers wishing to participate in all our activities. Our center will be at the Library itself, in a room that has already been turned over to the Friends for our use, and for all our international colleagues as well. It is a large room on Level 1 just above the main entrance, with space for secretarial support, as well as for small meetings.

One of our first important activities will be to make our plans to host the meetings of the International Friends Associations to coincide with the official Inauguration of the library. I am counting on the support of all the Friends around the world to ensure a successful outcome to the meetings.

I wish to invite you to visit the Friends Room to meet with your colleagues here and make use of our facilities for the benefit of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Sincerely,
Secretary-General
Dr. Adel Abuzahra



Objectives of the Egyptian Friends



Assist Bibliotheca Alexandrina in carrying out its mission.
Support the Library in propagating culture, as well as being the link connecting it with civil society.
Promote the various activities of the Library.
Work to protect the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and its surrounding architectural environment
Welcome Friends and other visitors to the Library when appropriate
Establishing links with all international Friends of Bibliotheca Alexandrina Associations



Prospective activities



Organization of seminars, lectures, exhibitions, trips, etc...
Issuing a newsletter about the Library to the Egyptian Friends, as well as all the other Associations worldwide
Organizing media campaigns for activities and fundraising when requested by the Library and in accordance with the Organization's rules and regulations
Developing and training a cadre of members and volunteers to serve at the Library at appropriate functions, especially for the Inauguration
Establishing affiliated student societies within Egyptian universities.



Membership of the Egyptian Friends’ Association


Membership is open to all interested persons.
Full membership fees are 60 LE, in addition to a 25 L.E registration fee.
Partial membership fees are 25 L.E. with no registration fee.



Privileges of Membership in the Friends


The Bibliotheca Alexandrina will be a public/research Library used by people from all over the world through personal visits, telephone, post, fax and email, as well as through the Library's Internet website and portal.

Membership in The Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in any country, will enable you to:
Know about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina activities, and
Help widen public awareness through the library's role as a cultural complex and the part it plays in the economic well being of Egypt and its mission to the region and to the world through its services to social development.
Member's privileges include:
Use of the Friends Room in the Library, Level 1
Special programs of lectures and other events
The right to a Readers' Pass (subject to the library's normal regulations)
Invitations to special openings of Bibliotheca Alexandrina exhibitions
Occasional special offers from the Alexandrina
Announcements to keep you in touch with library events and activities



International Friends’ Fund-Raising Activities


Friends groups are independent organizations working to fulfill the aims and objectives established by the Library. They define their own modes of operation and types of fund-raising activities.

The External Relations Office and the Egyptian Friends will act as general coordinators for all the Friends. This will include setting up of the target contributions, developing the list of library needs with the help of the Outreach Office, source of information (press releases for the Friends' use), and planning the newsletter when the time comes.

The External Relations Office will offer organizational and administrative support if needed.



Proposed Targets for the Friends


At least one substantial yearly contribution from funds raised throughout the year. This could be done through a joint-Friends contribution through collaboration of all or several of the Friends Associations.

Encourage donations of books, manuscripts and other materials of the nation and region to the library through efforts of Friends' Members (suggested subjects, titles, etc. available from the Library) from national, regional and local sources
Provision of scholarships for the librarians and other library staff for advanced study, special courses and international meetings.

Purchase or subscription to programs applicable to the library systems.

Contribution of software programs when possible, and in accordance with the needs of the library.

Consider developing a “traveling” Booth/Poster Exhibit for Friends' use at Library and Book Conferences, lectures and other programs (suitable for shipping around the world as needed or one per country).

Certain expertise may be available through the Friends' Membership, which could be called upon by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in a volunteer capacity.