The Hebrew University has released the following statement for publication on the recent resignation of its librarian, Dr. Hugo Bergmann:
“Dr. Hugo Bergmann, Director of the Jewish National and University Library since 1920, requested the University authorities some years ago to relieve him of his library duties in order that he might devote his time entirely to scientific work in the field of modern philosophy. While great importance was attached to his request by the University authorities and his colleagues in the Faculty of Humanities, it was not possible to meet his desire in view of the difficulty in finding a suitable successor, in spite of considerable efforts for several years. Now that a suitable solution has been found for this important and responsible matter, the University authorities have decided to accede to Dr. Bergmann’s request, and he will continue to direct the Library only until October 1, 1935.
“A worthy appreciation of the invaluable work done by Dr. Bergmann in organizing the Jewish National and University Library will be given at the proper time. When he was invited by the Zionist Organization in 1920 to head this institution, he found only a small library of 18,000 volumes, mostly in Judaica, crowded into one small and unsuitable building. With forceful energy and great devotion to the task, Dr. Bergmann brought the institution to its present standard as the largest library in the Near East, serving the whole of Palestine, and having a treasure of over 300,000 volumes in all branches of science, with regular catalogues and a trained staff.
“With the completion of Dr. Bergmann’s service of over fifteen years, the Library is now housed in a magnificent structure, and has Committees and Societies of Friends in all parts of the world who are working devotedly for its expansion and improvement. The achievement of so worthy an enterprise is in largest measure due to Dr. Bergmann, who is now to be enabled to devote himself entirely to philosophy at the Hebrew University.
“A later announcement will be made as to the new arrangements at the Library.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
