Athens, April, 04 2016
The Hellenic Initiative – TΗΙ announces a grant of $50,000 for the support of The Library Project at the Gennadius and Blegen libraries of The American School of Classical Studies (ASCS) in Athens. Through this grant, part of THI’s programs supporting youth education in Greece, two young librarians will have the opportunity to receive training in collections care and management in preparation for a career in library science for a one-year period, contributing at the same time in the strategic plan of modernization and digitalization of the Libraries’ catalogues and archives.
The American School of Classical Studies is a private research center located in the heart of Athens, committed to education, archaeological exploration and scholarly research since 1881. Moreover, the two ASCSA Libraries provide one of the best research facilities to scholars working in Greece. The Gennadius Library is among the most renown in the world for the study of Byzantine, Medieval, and modern Greece, and the Blegen Library is devoted to the study of Greece and Rome. “The Library Project” is a long-term plan to combine and streamline the Blegen and Gennadius Libraries, re-organizing their holdings in order to provide readers with greater access to the collections.
Michael Printzos, THI Director of Programming, stated: “THI support for this project is about the preservation of the past and prepartaiton for the future. The consolidation and modernization of the Libraries and Archives of ASCSA, improving and making more accessible significant chapters of our history from antiquity to the present is an ongoing vital mission. At the same time, we are pleased to give the opportunity to two young professionals to work for one of the most prestigious institutions gaining significant experience for their professional development”.
Dr. Maria Georgopoulou, Gennadius Library Director, added: “The support of The Hellenic Initiative is very important for us, since it enables us to offer work opportunity to two new graduates, who acquire valuable experience in a healthy work environment operating under US standards. We are thankful for THI’s support and hope that it will continue its efforts towards the support of Greek youth.”
Additional information
About The Hellenic Initiative:
Our Mission: Investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. We empower people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs, and create jobs. We are The Hellenic Initiative (THI) – a global movement of the Greek Diaspora.
Visit our website: https://thehellenicinitiative.org/
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehellenicinitiative
Follow us on Twitter: @THI_OneGreece
About The American School of Classical Studies at Athens:
The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) strives to maintain and enhance its position as the preeminent center for the study of the Greek world from antiquity to the present day. It advances knowledge of Greece in all periods, as well as other areas of the classical world, by training young scholars, sponsoring and promoting archaeological fieldwork, providing resources for scholarly work, and disseminating research. The ASCSA is also charged by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism with primary responsibility for all American archaeological research, and seeks to support the investigation, preservation, and presentation of Greece’s cultural heritage.
For more information visit: www.ascsa.edu.gr
