The American Shelf at the „Kájoni János” Harghita County Library

La Biblioteca Judeţeană Kájoni János, ambasadorul Hans Klemm a inaugurat cel de-al optulea Raft american din România. Foto: Carmen Valica/Ambasada SUA
Ambassador Hans Klemm at the inauguration of the American Shelf in Harghita. September 12, 2016 (Photo: Carmen Valica/U.S. Embassy)
Ambassador Hans Klemm at the inauguration of the American Shelf in Harghita. September 12, 2016 (Photo: Carmen Valica/U.S. Embassy)

Today, United States Ambassador Hans Klemm inaugurated an American Shelf at the Kájoni János” Harghita County Library by presenting a collection of books to Library Director Katalin-Mária Kopacz.

American Shelf is a book donation program consisting of reference titles, classical and contemporary American literature, English language and children’s books, which become part of the library’s collection.  It is intended for use by teachers, students and the public.

Just like the seven other American Shelves in Botosani, Galati, Brasov, Sibiu, Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Arad, Braila, the American Shelf in Miercurea Ciuc will open new avenues for understanding and deepen the U.S.-Romania Strategic Partnership.  For Harghita, it represents a new opportunity for the public to find resources that provide a better understanding of America history and culture.

“This is my first visit to Harghita County and I am very glad I was able to bring something meaningful for those who visit your library.  Even though it is a small collection, it is very rich.  I hope this becomes the start of a relationship that we’ll build over time both for the library but also more broadly for the people here, in the county and the United States Embassy,” said Ambassador Klemm at the opening ceremony.

The ninth American Shelf will be opened in Sfantu Gheorghe.  The American Shelves are part of the library partnership program initiated by the U.S. Embassy in Romania and are complementary to the nine American Corners.  The Corners and Shelves offer authorized information resources about the U.S. and its culture, about studying in the U.S. and learning English.  They are also spaces for learning and discussing about American values.