The Safed
English Library was born 30 years ago when American Edyth Geiger emigrated to
Safed accompanied by only 2 couches and a bed…but 10 cartons of books i
n
English. For her, these were the essentials of life and they were unobtainable
in Israel. Word got around fast and new acquaintances were soon knocking on the
door asking to borrow books. Cataloging and signing out of books became
necessary and a hastily created library came to life in her crowded two-room
apartment, home as well to her 500 piece giraffe collection.
Living space
gave way to book space. Romance and mysteries intermingled in the bedroom while
non-fiction took over the coat closet in the entranceway. The recess in the
“dining area” was filled with more shelves, while stamp albums were pushed into
a cupboard and the alcove which had housed them was given over to the larger
books. Magazines in baskets lived on the couch and had to vacate their space
when Edyth wanted to sit down.
This was the
birth of a library. Edyth’s trips to Florida in the early years were spent
rummaging in bookstores and garage sales, and sending giant mail sacks full of
books back to Safed. The Library’s varied collection reflects Edyth’s travels to
English speaking countries over the years, with books from Alaska and Canada
supplying mysteries set in snow while Zimbabwe contributed the Falls and wild
animals. “The collection is varied because that’s how I myself read”, says Edyth.
When Edyth’s
tiny apartment contained more than 3000
books stacked three deep on
all of the walls, it was time to make a move, and the library came to rest in
its present location at 38 Jerusalem Street.
