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RARA-AVIS: Re: library mission v. collectors
In discussions of public libraries vs. private collectors there is
frequently an implicit assumption that the public/institutional libraries do
a superior job of conservation and preservation. This is not a valid a
priori assumption. In some notable cases, just the opposite has been the
case. And it does not follow that poor conservation and preservation by
libraries is a consequence of making special collections readily available
to the public --- it is not uncommon that libraries have achieved the worst
of both worlds: important materials which are poorly kept, poorly
conserved, poorly inventoried and quite unavailable to the public. Some of
you special collections librarians should step up to the plate and publicly
aire some of the inside dirt of your profession. Is the whining I'm hearing
here (and have heard before) really just the lupine ego of a private
collector in the sheep's clothing of a special collections librarian with a
cloak of representing-the-public-interest rationalization? The book and
manuscript Priests forced to compete with the heretics --- oh, its a cruel
world indeed...
Daniel P. Wirt
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At 05:19 PM 5/9/97 -0500, you wrote:
>: James Mountain wrote:
>: >I apologize to the list for the public flame, and I apologize to
>: >Curtiss Leung for flaming him in public.
>
>:Curtiss Leung wrote:
>: And I have to apologize as well for tossing "whining" back at James
>
>gentlemen, both.
>++++++++++++++++++++++++
>curtis also wrote:
>
>: ... But I don't think the interest of booksellers and university
>libraries
>: are opposed; instead, the conflict is between collectors with unequal
>: purchasing power....
>: ... actually allocates resources in a sensible way. A collector is
>pursuing
>: a private interest ......A library, on the other hand, provides
>: texts to the public.
>i am one of those evil deep-pockets collector, and i am proud to be so
>privileged. i also sell my redundancies; and i have been a public servant,
>so i feel qualified to comment from several perspectives. simply put,
>yours is an idealistic portrayal of 'the way things should be' similar to
>how many booksellers get misty-eyed when anyone mentions '84 charing cross
>road' (which was not about bookselling, but was about culture clash, but
>truth is, many times, more uncomfortable than fiction.)
>
>to serve the public good, libraries have *multiple* options for acquiring
>resources to support their mission - their *needs* as opposed to their
>*wants.*
>
>for example, i have given permission to microfilm or otherwise copy books
>not otherwise available. which, if you stop to think about it, a microfilm
>copy, a modern fascimile reprint, or using newer technology, cd-rom
>provides greater utility and dramatically reduced costs of storage,
>insurance, etc.
>
>in my 6 may post, i mentioned several other options for libraries to
>acquire material to fill their mission - what they are obligated by statute
>to provide.
>
>on-the-other-hand... if the library *wants* something i also want, they
>have stepped out of the public policy arena into the world of economics. i
>do not have a pre-set limit, nor do i have to ask anyone's permission to
>increase my offer. these advantages of mine are balanced by their larger
>chequebook filled with other people's money, so if it comes down to a
>matter of who wants it worse - i will always lose. regardless - i do
>intend to test their appetite and i expect them to test mine. after all,
>where's the fun in having something if nobody else wants it?
>
>: ... First editions and manuscripts are, I should think,
>: important resources for scholars and experts, and so while a library's
>: acquisition may take a text _off the market_ it does NOT take it out of
>: circulation.
>
>not exactly true, in fact far from true, at least from my experience. when
>a title migrates to 'special collections and rare books' it, generally,
>becomes unavailable to the public for any use other than ooohs & ahhhs &
>serving as a backdrop for receptions for 'friends of the library.' (read:
>fundraiser)
>
>a concrete example of which happened last week. a scarce 1854 title was
>for sale. there are very few bibliographical details available and a 2nd
>state, while still scarce and valuable, is nowhere in the same league as
>the 'first in every respect.' i tracked down six apparent 'firsts' in
>public-university libraries (3 in private universities). i mailed all nine
>and asked if they would confirm some points so i might proceed with the
>transaction. i got four outright refusals, 'that is in special collections
>& nobody can handle that, sorry.' or similar. i have yet to hear from the
>other two. stanford, university of pennsylvania, and oxford's bodlean were
>absolutely delighted to assist.
>
>: ... But let's at least
>: admit that private pleasure and public benefit aren't interchangable, and
>
>: that the former depends upon everyone's contribution to the latter.
>
>i agree, and in the interest of furthering public access to scarce
>documents held in public trust, i will make this modest proposal to any
>'special collections and rare books' curator.
>
>if you have in you not-for-circulation inventory a book i want, i will
>trade you, at your at your option: six fascimile dead-tree reprints (if
>such be published); six fascimile microfilm copies; or six cd-rom
>fascimiles of the book, along with a right-to-copy as long as i own the
>title. (thank you curtiss for spurring me to greater service to my fellow
>man.)
>
>i realise i may not be speaking to hypermodern or noir issues - or am i?
>
>best regards,
>bob sikes
><bsikes@wcnet.net>
>
>my interest is empire-period african and indian hunting and exploration.
>please avail yourselves of this opportunity to clear your shelves of all
>those dreary old books about dead/dying elephant, recipes for missionary
>soup, and ignominious lies about burning villages, 'black ivory,' cruel
>sultans, ... to make shelf-space for the latest hypermodern.
>
>
>
>
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