Mission

To promote an awareness of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) as 

an international center of cultural exchanges and meetings. 

To gather intellectuals in the fields of science, arts, and the humanities 

as envisioned by Alexander the Great and Ptolemeus in 300 BC.

To attend, support, and contribute to the friends of the BA annual 

meetings in Alexandria, Egypt and other BA International meetings.

To contribute to various BA programs by donating books and art 

collections and by soliciting monetary funds from individuals and institutions.

Steering Committee

Aida Khalafalla, Ph.D.                Chair

Helene Peters, Ph.D.                 Honorary Member

Diane Katsiaficas, MFA              University of Minnesota Liaison

Theofanis Stavrou, Ph.D.           University of Minnesota Liaison

Patrick Plonski, Ph.D.    Books for Africa

Jane Simon    Advisor

Barbara Hicks                            Graphic Design Support

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina welcomes monetary donations to help maintain its operation . The original library of Alexandria was founded in 288 BCE by Ptolemy(Soter).This library became a major repository of thought of the ancient world and a resource to its users. Subsequent upheavals within the Roman empire resulted in its gradual neglect and ultimate destruction in 400CE.
 
The new library was founded a decade ago near its original site. It is an important resource not just for the number of manuscripts or books it has accumulated, but as a center for users to access digital information and the internet.
 
For more information visit the website of the BA at www.bibalex.org
 
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization. 

Your donations are tax deductible. Any checks or donations should be made to the

Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Foundation and must be sent to: 

Rhonda R. Shearer

62 Greene Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10012

Tel: 212/925-8812

Ms. Shearer, in turn, will acknowledge your donation in a letter to be used for your tax deduction.
 
If you are a Minnesota resident and interested in joining the Minnesota Friends of the BA please call or email Dr. Aida Khalafalla. (Contact information below)

Aida Khalafalla

Address:      2551 37th Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55406

Mobile:           (612) 203-6307

Phone:         (612) 724-9547

Fax:             (612) 721-4730

Email:        aidakhalafalla@hotmail.com

– Formation of a Cyprus Group Of Friends of the BA to be headed by Ms. Catherine Nikkita, head of the Lanitis Foundation. This was done through travel to various cities in Cyprus and meeting with university professors and heads of libraries.

– Several MN Friends of the BA Committee meetings were conducted throughout the year to discuss various means of supporting the library.

– Designed and printed a brochure for distribution at various functions, such as the Arab Film Festival event taking place in Minneapolis, November 2011. The brochure will bring a heightened awareness of the new BA to a new audience.

– Negotiating with the Women's Club Of Minneapolis, as well as other organizations, for possible fund raising for the BA in 2012.

– Monetary donation by the chair, as well as payments for a two year renewal of the website, for  brochure design and printing, and for several luncheons with individuals and organizations, to investigate means for helping the BA.

– Assistance from Dr. Patrick Plonski, Executive Director of "Books For Africa," regarding book donations and shipments to the BA. A 40-foot container carrying $1 million

worth of new books from an anonymous, prestigious publishing firm, as well as a library of law books worth $60,000, is scheduled for shipment in November 2011. A donor will pay for the shipment and the BA will pay the port clearance only.

–  Prof. Diane Katsiaficas, a member of our committee, added an informative article about the BA to the brochure distributed at the University of Minnesota libraries Art Exhibit.

Dr. Aïda Khalafalla, Chair MN Friends, with Dr. Patrick Plonski of Books for Africa 

and Jane Simon.

  

      

Dr. Aïda Khalafalla next to poster showing donations from Books for Africa and 

MN Friends of the BA

Dr. Aïda Khalafalla, Chair of the MN friends of the BA next to Prof. Rosalie Amer, 

Chair California friends of the BA

Dr. Anna Dahlström, Chair of the Friends of the B.A. in Sweeden (on left)

Dr. Aïda Khalafalla with Count Fredrico Wardal, Chair Italy Friends of the BA

Professor Diane Katsiaficas lecturing at the BA during the 13th annual BA Friends 

meeting in Alexandria, Oct 2010