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Re: [AMIA-L] Public Libraries with 16mm collections
To All:
Only recommending this since it seems pertinent (please do not interpret
this advice as self-promotion). Check out The Moving Image Spring 2005
issue: "Persistence of Vision: Public Library 16mm Film Collections In
America", by yours truly. And to answer the question directly of which
libraries do still have circulating collections, I know for sure that
Boston Public Library and Donnell Media Center of The New York Public
Library do (Donnell also functions as an archive and is actively preserving
"classic" library acquisitions, avant-garde masterpieces by local artists
and timely documentaries made in and about New York). If anyone has a
hankering to learn more about public library film collections, drop me an
e-mail at erossisnook@xxxxxxxxx
Best Wishes,
Elena Rossi-Snook
Film Preservationist
Donnell Media Center
The New York Public Library
PAUL SPEHR
<spehr@xxxxxxxxxx
OM> To
Sent by: AMIA-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
Association of cc
Moving Image
Archivists Subject
<AMIA-L@xxxxxxxxx Re: [AMIA-L] Public Libraries with
DU> 16mm collections
02/21/2006 12:38
PM
Please respond to
spehr@xxxxxxxxxxx
m
Philip Hood:
>From the 1940's and even earlier, almost every public library in the U. S.
had a collection of 16mm films (some small communities excepted, though
they often had access through county library systems). There was a
national system for disseminating info and government monies to support
some of the activities. Major urban library systems such as Cleveland,
Chicago, Baltimore and NYC had extensive collections. In many states the
public libraries were also serviced by state libraries and the public
university systems. There were also national distributors. U. of Indiana
distributed films from Public TV, for example.
There is plenty of literature on the AV field. You should start in your
local library. If your lucky there will be a veteran AV librarian (now a
media librarian) who can give you some guidance.
Libraries are now divesting themselves of their 16mm collections because
the demand has dropped to nil. They take up space and, in many cases, the
staff experienced in handling them is vanishing. It's a matter of
legitimate concern for AMIA members. Without question some valuable films
will go to dumpsters. But, it should be remembered that there was a great
deal of duplication in these collections and certain titles would exist in
almost all of them --- and often in well worn prints because they were so
popular.
This is a matter that AMIA should take up with the American Library
Association. I'm sure that ALA members would be glad to listen to advice
on how to dispose of surplus collections. An article or two in library
journals would also be helpful. Visits to local and state libraries by
AMIA members would also be useful.
Best
Paul Spehr (Library of Congress, retired)
17 Valley View Trail
Fairfield, PA 17320
717 642-0049
spehr@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> [Original Message]
> From: Philip Hood <hood@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <AMIA-L@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 2/20/2006 10:26:27 PM
> Subject: Re: [AMIA-L] Public Libraries with 16mm collections
>
> Hello Alain and Grace,
>
> Public 16 (http://www.public16.org) has a
> great interest in providing a compendium of
> access inside the United States of public
> library institutions that have 16mm holdings.
>
> If there is anyone that this email reaches
> who knows of some library anywhere inside
> the US that has 16mm holdings, that are
> or have been at some point publicly accessible,
> we'd like to know about it. If you think that
> the holding is so small that we ought to know
> about it, or its too insignificant, please
> inform us of it, anyway. We will not
> mind having another email on this matter and
> no matter how small, it can be of some help.
> Please, please, do not hesitate to contact us.
> If anyone is interested otherwise in working on
> a method to continue public and common
> citizen access to these basic materials,
> please, also, do not hesitate to contact
> us, as we would be interested in working
> with you.
>
> Alain, you have mentioned herein 2 libraries of
> some sort that are destroying filmic resources.
> Can you please be more specific about the
> nature of these collections ?
> Do not hesitate as time may be running out.
>
> Thank you.
>
> -ml
> pth
>
> See: http://www.public16.org
> [NY; Boston, MA; WDC; Hyattsville, MD; Pennsyvania]
>
> On Sat, 18 Feb 2006, Grace McKay wrote:
>
> > Can you give us directions to the dumpsters?
> >
> > Grace McKay
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Association of Moving Image Archivists
[mailto:AMIA-L@xxxxxxxxxxx] On
> > Behalf Of 40 Frames
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 11:50 AM
> > To: AMIA-L@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [AMIA-L] Public Libraries with 16mm collections
> >
> > What are the logistics involved in obtaining prints from Public
Libraries
> > who are dumping their
> > collection of 16mm titles? I currently know of two libraries in the
> > process of removing all 16mm titles from their collection, yet they are
> > contractually/legally bound to throw these in the garbage.
> >
> > How can this be prevented? Can the library place a collection or titles
> > from that collection on "permanent loan" to an organization? Do the
> > legalities have to do with determining the rights holders and clearing
> > those rights?
> >
> > Appreciate any assistance in this matter. Email offlist if necessary.
> >
> > Alain LeTourneau
> >
> > ================
> > 40 FRAMES
> > Alain LeTourneau