[PADG:5] Re: Duke News -- Unusual Collection of American Newspapers Donated to Duke Libraries

["Cybulski, Walter (NIH/NLM)" <Cybulskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings, Winston:

I appreciate your taking a moment to comment.  Thank you.  It might be
interesting for some who read this list to receive future updates on the
access issues.  If someone can keep us informed, that would be great.  Mr.
Baker's concern is by no means unique.  In my own experience, I met no
librarian who regarded newspaper holdings without an appreciation of their
uniqueness and a deeply serious concern for their survival and continued
use.  The many success stories of the United States Newspaper Program stand
as lasting testimony to that fact.  As for the continued survival of this
specific collection of newspapers, no one can dispute the fact that we are
all indebted to Mr. Baker and those who assisted him for their efforts.
That having been said, the matter at hand is what happens to the papers now
that they have a suitable home.  Again, thanks to you and Robert for the
responses.

- Walter

-----Original Message-----
From: Winston Atkins [mailto:Winston.Atkins@xxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 2:52 PM
To: padg@xxxxxxx
Subject: [PADG:2377] Re: Duke News -- Unusual Collection of American
Newspapers Donated to Duke Libraries






Folks,
I wanted to respond to Walter's questions about the American Newspaper
Repository and to thank Robert for his thoughtful comments on the
collection--and to apologize for not responding sooner to the list. I've
been out of the office and am just now getting to my email.

This is still a very new collection for us and all of the details have yet
to be worked out. Nevertheless, the Duke University Libraries will provide
access to the original newspapers according to guidelines developed within
the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library. As our press
release noted, the newspapers in the ANR will be housed in an environment
with the well-regulated temperature and low humidity conducive to their
long-term preservation. Because it is such a new collection, we have not yet
developed all of our plans for preservation, including possible reformatting
projects. It very well may be that we decide that digitization would be an
appropriate way to share this collection more broadly. If we determine that
reformatting is appropriate, I have every confidence that Mr Baker would be
pleased. Mr Baker has a deep understanding of the importance of this
collection and everything I've heard from him convinces me that he wants
passionately for this collection to be shared with as many people as
possible. The ANR is every bit the treasure that Robert described and we
want to do it proud.

Best,
Winston
_______________________________

Winston Atkins
Preservation Department
Duke University Libraries
Campus Box 90189
Durham, NC 27708-0189

winston.atkins@xxxxxxxx
Ph: 919-660-5843     Fax 919-684-2855
_______________________________