I’ve written about libraries before but this one is rather more specialised than most. Makor Library a Jewish library and the focus is on books and other media on Jewish topics. You’ll find books in English, Yiddish and Hebrew. Needless to say, I only read the books in English and here is where I get to use my joke…I know two languages, English and Australian, and neither of them well. Anyway, like all libraries nowadays they are not just for books. They have a special section reserved for the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society (Vic) and also the Australian Jewish Historical Society (Vic) resources. Last weekend this room was named The Oberman Room after the late ex-President of the Australian Jewish Genealogical Society (Vic). Just like Makor this room can be used by members and non-members alike although unlike Makor you can’t actually borrow anything.
Makor is a lending library and for a modest annual fee you can borrow books, audio books, tapes, DVDs or just go there to read the Jewish publications. Actually, you can just go there and read without being a member.
Makor is more than just a library though. One thing I must make mention of is their Write Your Story programme. They run a weekly group which you can attend to hone your writing skills so as to write your very own life story. When they have enough stories or if there is one person talented enough to write a whole book they will publish an anthology or a memoir. They have over 80 personal memoirs and six anthologies published already and a lot of these are available for sale through Makor. It’s a wonderful programme, absolutely invaluable.