Welcome to SOFIES

The Society of Friends
of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies
E-Mail: sofiesnl@yahoo.com
P.O.Box: 1176 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel. 251-1-119469

What Needs to be Done

It has become imperative to construct a fully automated library system in a new edfice to house the entire IES Library, as well as to free the former Palace building for the expansion of the Museum.

The new Library will provide rapid and detailed access to the wealth of information in the Library’s collections, and open a new era in Ethiopian Studies. Addis Ababa University has allocated the land, close to the existing building. Seed money has been received from the Bar of Abyssinia, and contributions are beginning to come in from foreign and local sources.

An Ethiopian architect developed the conceptual design for the new library owned and managed by IES. A library consultant provided by the British Executive Service Overseas, assisted by the British Council, has worked with the Ethiopian architect. The librarian helped in the development of the various functional rooms, reading halls and reading spaces. The Finnish Embassy provided the fund for the architectural development. Care has been taken to ensure that the building is in harmony with the old Genet Leul Palace building, to which it will be linked by a bridge. The architectural view is shown here.

Subsequently, the design has been developed by a group of Ethiopian Engineers, working in the Addis Ababa University. The engineers' estimation of the building is about $2.8 million. Another $2.2million would be required to acquire the shelves,furniture,maintenance facilities, digitization of books, periodicals and other documents. The fund-raising target for the new Library, fully equipped and automated, is US$5 million. Donations are being sought from individuals, corporations, and relevant organizations at home and abroad.

Major donations are being sought to sponsor lecture halls and rooms in the new library. Large donations will be recognized by certificates and on plaques.