Our Hess Library is coming back to life and we want you to be part of it. We’re currently in Phase 1 of a five-phase revitalization effort to restore the room to a vibrant reference and cultural space. Right now we’re conducting a full inventory of our collection, which presents the perfect opportunity for volunteers who want to make a meaningful contribution to the Levite JCC.
The work is simple: volunteers will go through our boxed collection and enter basic information about each book into a shared spreadsheet. No library experience required! All you need to bring is a laptop. Just contact staff member Zoe Weil if you’re interested in getting involved.
The five-phase plan
Phase 1
Inventory and assessment kicks off with a full cataloging of the collection, led by interns and volunteers. Each item will be categorized (religious texts, the Samuel Ullman collection, historically significant books, and potential special collections), with condition and identifying information documented along the way.
Phase 2
Policy and planning focuses on getting the right systems in place: considering a library management platform, establishing guidelines for damaged or outdated materials, setting donation and acquisition standards, defining the library’s content focus, and beginning research into rare and special holdings.
Phase 3
Preservation and curation is the hands-on phase — cleaning, minor repairs, and conservation work for older or valuable items. It also includes finalizing provenance research and designing themed displays, such as a Samuel Ullman spotlight and Judaica collections, along with interpretive labels and PR materials to bring them to life.
Phase 4
Soft reopening and programming integration marks the library’s public return, potentially anchored by a talk or exhibition on the Ullman collection or Jewish literary heritage. From here, the library becomes an active part of JCC programming — tied into film series, book talks, holiday themes, and regular promotion through newsletters and social media.
Phase 5
Ongoing stewardship ensures the library stays vital long-term through annual collection reviews, continued collection policy implementation, exploration of digitization for rare materials, and regular public engagement like monthly featured books and rotating displays.