In recent years, many Americans and Greeks alike have dedicated themselves to supporting The Gennadius Library, an internationally-renowned research institution dedicated to the culture and civilization of Greece since the end of antiquity.  In addition to the thousands of readers who benefit from the treasures of the Library, various programs enrich the community. This past year alone an exhibition celebrated the 75th anniversary of the death of Greek poet Constantine Cavafy; world-renowned historian of Byzantium Cyril Mango presented his latest research about Constantinople; a grant from the European Union funded the digitization of unique materials from the scrapbooks of John Gennadius that are now available on this website; and the papers of Konstantinos Tsatsos, former President of the Hellenic Republic, were deposited at the Gennadius Archives.  The Library’s success relies on your support.  As we weather the global economic challenges touching us all, this support is more critical than ever. Please become a Friend of the Gennadius Library by contributing to this first Annual Appeal.  These unrestricted funds will be used to support the Library’s daily operation including staff salaries, book acquisitions, lectures, and other programs offered by the Gennadeion.  Gifts to this Appeal will also count toward the goal for the Capital Campaign for the Gennadius Library, and contributors will be recognized in the campaign literature.  You can give online here. As an added incentive, we are offering the following gifts to thank you for your donation: At the $5,000 level and above: • A private tour of the Gennadeion collection with the Library’s Director for you and a group of up to ten of your friends, invitations to special events at the Library, and all items listed below At the $1,000 level and above: • The 2006 revised edition of Kevin Andrews’s 1953 book Castles of the Morea, and all items listed below At the $500 level and above: • Exclusive boxed set of greeting cards featuring art reproductions from the Gennadius Library’s collection, and item listed below At the $350 level and above: • Copy of The New Griffon 10: The Archaeology of Xenitia, Kostis Kourelis, ed., a Gennadius Library publication concerning Greek immigration As Director of the Gennadius Library, I welcome you to visit us when you are next in Athens.  Our goal is to make the Library, in the words of John Gennadius himself, “a world center for the study of Greek history, literature and art, both ancient, Byzantine, and modern.” With your support, and with that of other friends in the U.S, Greece and elsewhere, the Library will maintain its position as one of the world’s leading resources for the study of Hellenic culture and civilization.