Inna Steklyar, Tel Aviv University, Israel

Inna Steklyar, Head of Acquisition Department, Neiman Library of Exact Sciences and Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel

Q: What led you into your chosen profession?

A: I was looking for a combination of a few crucially important aspects: the ability to develop my inclination toward human sciences and to satisfy my interest in modern technologies, potential career opportunities, and an intellectually challenging working environment. I hardly could have made a better choice!

Q: What book are you reading right now?

A: I have a habit of reading two books at a time - fiction and non-fiction. Currently these are, respectively, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, a fascinating and intricate book about how tiny our planet is, not only in terms of space but also in terms of time, and A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, which is dazzling in scope and in lucidity of style.

Q: Who do you admire the most (past or present) and why?

A: Schopenhauer said, 'Talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see.' I admire most the latter. I've just read about Sadi Carnot, son of an eminent French military leader. Sadi died prematurely at the age of 36 in relative obscurity, but his research laid the foundations of the second law of thermodynamics! Apparently, he was also a brilliant political thinker and a charming and extremely handsome man to boot! Can anyone help admiring such people?

Q: What was the first and last music record you bought?

A: The first one was Angel Station by Manfred Mann. I still enjoy their intelligent but entertaining prog rock. The latest record I bought is a collection of singles by Hooverphonic. Their music has nothing in common with prog rock but it's not less intelligent and far more entertaining.

Q: If you could have any career other than your chosen profession, what would you choose?

A: Jurisprudence. I've always admired this profession despite the notoriety it has gained in our time.

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would they be?

A: I think I would immensely benefit from the conversation with notable Zionists of the past, such as Jabotinsky, Arlozorov, and Ben-Gurion. Political leaders of this caliber have become extinct and our country needs them more than ever.

Q: Money no option, where would you like to go on vacation?

A: London, but only if money is really no option because window-shopping is not my pair of shoes!

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