The original concept to start a new category came four years ago when two international students visited the Bellettrie Library to request the English translations of books by Dutch authors Jan Wolkers and Connie Palmen.
Ben Rorije, a member on the library board, said, `We didn't know what to do with this request, so we put it under the responsibility of the category English Literature. The request showed us that these types of books were in demand. English books by Wolkers were impossible to find, but we bought a book by Connie Palmen.'
Lacking the required funds to purchase books, the members of the library board sought financial resources. `Eventually, we succeeded,' said Rorije. `The Student Union allocated a 500 euro subsidy in June 2008, and we were finally able to start purchasing books for the new category.'
The collection in the DNE category consists of approximately 36 books, all of which are English translations of Dutch authors like Thea Beckman, Hugo Claus and Williem Frederik Hermans. Another author included in the selection is Harry Mulisch who has been shortlisted several times for the Nobel Prize for Literature and won the prestigious Prijs van de Nederlands Letteren (Dutch Literature Prize) in 1995. One of his latest books, The Procedure, tells the story of a geneticist named Victor Werker who has discovered a process for creating life.
All students can become a member of the Bellettrie Library. Membership is free of charge for X-tra cardholders; otherwise there is fee of 15 euros. Students can subscribe for a membership card at the Drakenkelder, room 105, in the Bastille building.
