The Biblioteca Nacional de Chile (BN), the oldest library in Latin America has selected ALEPH 500 as the software which will take them into the 21st Century.
Founded in 1813, the early government had the vision to establish the National Library of Chile and then proclaim that the mission of the library was to provide libraries to the cities and towns of Chile. The words of the mission have changed, but the intent continues. Over the years, BN has always endeavored to provide the best possible tools and services to the people of Chile. BN was one of the first libraries in Latin America to implement NOTIS, at that time the preeminent library automation system available. And now, after a two-year evaluation process, the Biblioteca Nacional is continuing in the leadership role by selecting ALEPH.
Ex Libris working cooperatively with Sistemas Logicos, the ALEPH distributor in Central and South America, has established a project plan and begun the conversion of data.
Sra. Clara Budnik, Directora de Bibliotecas, said "We are very happy that the rich tradition of the Biblioteca National de Chile will be extended to the current and future generations by the sistema ALEPH. We have a responsibility to the people of Chile to provide the best possible access to our archives and with this change, we will fulfill that duty."
The installation of ALEPH in the Biblioteca Nacional has been made possible through a joint project with the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation of the United States, which has played an active role worldwide in ensuring that developing countries have access to appropriate information technology, and the Andes Foundation of Chile. These foundations are also supporting the installation of ALEPH in the Catholic University Library in Santiago.
With the first contract in Chile signed at the end of 1998, there are now 4 libraries in that country licensed for ALEPH. In Latin America, ALEPH is installed in over 50 libraries.
Ex Libris World Headquarters are in Israel with offices in Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv. The company also maintains sales and support offices in the USA, Brazil, Great Britain, Luxembourg, and Germany, and has exclusive distributors in Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal and South Africa.