# Jewish National and University Library

> Jerusalem

**Wikidata**: [Q117842689](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q117842689)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jewish-national-and-university-library

## Summary
The Jewish National and University Library (JNUL) is a former public library in Jerusalem, established in 1930 and dissolved on November 26, 2007. It was a key institution for Jewish intellectual and cultural heritage, serving as both a national library and a university library, though it no longer operates as of its dissolution date.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: April 15, 1930
- **Dissolution**: November 26, 2007
- **Classification**: Public library, former entity
- **Aliases**: Bet ha-sefarim ha-leʼumi ṿeha-universiṭaʼi bi-Yer (Hebrew)
- **Wikidata ID**: Q64139102 (reference date: July 9, 2020)
- **ISNI**: 0000000121551336
- **GND ID**: 1004728-1
- **VIAF ID**: 160568218
- **IdRef ID**: 256373868
- **BibSys ID**: 90382607
- **CANTIC ID**: 981058508109706706
- **NL CR Aut ID**: ko2004263594, ko2004263595
- **RERO ID (legacy)**: A000183368, A009968200
- **CINII Research ID**: 1140282266662118144
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Hebrew
- **NACSIS Cat Author ID**: DA02938093
- **Libraries Australia ID**: 36564591
- **Vatican Library VCBA ID**: 494/5206
- **Kalliope Verbund (GND) ID**: 1004728-1
- **Canadiana Name Authority ID**: ncf10488217
- **Union List of Artist Names ID**: 500300688
- **Wellcome Collection Concept ID**: gtmc9yuq
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n81108223
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007258662605171
- **National Library of Poland MMS ID**: 9810705913105606
- **Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID**: 12022813w
- **National Library of Spain SPMABN ID**: XX147382

## FAQs
**What was the Jewish National and University Library?**
The Jewish National and University Library was a public library in Jerusalem that served as both a national and university library, established in 1930 and dissolved in 2007. It was a key institution for Jewish intellectual and cultural heritage.

**When was it founded and dissolved?**
It was founded on April 15, 1930, and dissolved on November 26, 2007. This makes it a "former entity" in knowledge organization systems.

**What identifiers does it have in global databases?**
It is recognized by multiple international databases, including ISNI (0000000121551336), GND ID (1004728-1), VIAF ID (160568218), and others, ensuring cross-referencing in academic and cultural records.

**Why is it classified as a "former entity"?**
It is classified as a former entity because it no longer operates, having been dissolved on November 26, 2007. This classification distinguishes it from active institutions and theoretical constructs.

**What languages are associated with its records?**
Its records are primarily in Hebrew, as indicated by its Wikipedia language tag and aliases in Hebrew script.

## Why It Matters
The Jewish National and University Library played a crucial role in preserving Jewish intellectual and cultural heritage. As a former entity, its dissolution in 2007 marked the end of an era for Jewish scholarship and national identity in Jerusalem. Its classification as a "former entity" ensures accurate historical record-keeping, distinguishing it from active institutions and hypothetical constructs. This distinction is vital for researchers, archivists, and data scientists who need to analyze trends over time or verify the status of cultural institutions. By explicitly marking its existence as "past," it maintains the integrity of historical records and prevents confusion with current or proposed entities.

## Notable For
- **Dual Institutional Role**: It served as both a national and university library, combining the functions of a public library and an academic repository.
- **Multilingual Precision**: It possesses a comprehensive set of aliases and identifiers, ensuring precise identification across global databases.
- **Temporal Specificity**: It is uniquely characterized by its inception (1930) and dissolution (2007), providing a clear temporal boundary for historical analysis.
- **Structured Interoperability**: It serves as a bridge between Wikidata and BabelNet, linking specific identifiers (Q64139102 and 00101101a) to unify knowledge across different semantic networks.
- **Cultural Heritage Preservation**: It was a key institution for Jewish intellectual and cultural heritage, ensuring the preservation of Jewish scholarship and national identity.

## Body

### Definition and Core Characteristics
The Jewish National and University Library (JNUL) was a public library in Jerusalem, established on April 15, 1930. It was classified as both a public library and a former entity, having been dissolved on November 26, 2007. This status as a "former entity" is defined by its cessation of operation, distinguishing it from active institutions and theoretical constructs. It is recognized by multiple international databases, including ISNI (0000000121551336), GND ID (1004728-1), and VIAF ID (160568218), ensuring cross-referencing in academic and cultural records.

### Classification and Taxonomy
In the hierarchy of knowledge organization, the JNUL is strictly categorized as a "subclass of entity" with the specific characteristic of "existence" in the "past." This placement ensures it retains the fundamental properties of an entity while adhering to its specific historical constraints. It is part of the broader conceptual group known as "past," explicitly differentiating it from "proposed entity," "current entity," "former quality," "canceled name," "replaced entity," and "hypothetical entity." These distinctions are crucial for maintaining the logical integrity of knowledge graphs.

### Global Identifiers and Aliases
The JNUL is recognized across multiple international knowledge bases with specific unique identifiers. In Wikidata, it is assigned the ID Q64139102, with a reference date of July 9, 2020. In BabelNet, it holds the ID 00101101a, which is noted as a "related match." The concept is supported by a rich array of aliases, including "Bet ha-sefarim ha-leʼumi ṿeha-universiṭaʼi bi-Yer" in Hebrew. It is also linked to various national and international databases, such as ISNI, GND, VIAF, and IdRef, ensuring comprehensive identification and cross-referencing.

### Categorization and Media Presence
The JNUL has a dedicated presence in media and topic categorization systems. On Wikimedia Commons, it is associated with the category "No longer existent subjects," which serves as a repository for media related to terminated entities. In broader topic organization, it is the main subject of "Category:Former entities." These categories allow for the aggregation of all subjects that share this specific historical status. The categorization ensures that users can easily locate and filter content related to entities that have ceased to exist.

### Relationships and Distinctions
The network of relationships surrounding the JNUL is defined by both inclusion and exclusion. It is "part of" the conceptual domain of "past," anchoring it in a specific temporal context. The "different from" relationship is particularly dense, serving to clarify what the entity is not. It is distinct from "current entity," ensuring no confusion with active subjects. It differs from "proposed entity," separating historical facts from future plans. It is also distinct from "former quality," "canceled name," "replaced entity," and "hypothetical entity." These distinctions are not merely semantic but are structural requirements for accurate data modeling. The "partially_coincident_with" relationship further refines its position by acknowledging overlaps with "replaced entity" and "hypothetical entity" while maintaining its unique definition. This complex web of relationships ensures that the entity is precisely located within the knowledge graph, avoiding ambiguity and ensuring data accuracy.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Czech National Authority Database