Re: Protocols regarding food and drink ...

[Lois_Black <lblack@health.nyam.org>]

While I find this bit of Academy history interesting, and have seen photos
attesting to this anecdote, I can reassure Phil that things here have
indeed changed, and that the building has been smoke-free for some time.
However, the Malloch Rare Book Room is subject to occasional receptions
and dinners, much to the dismay of the curatorial staff. We do understand
the necessity of such fund-raising events, and work closely with caterers
and events planners to ensure that no damage is done to either the room or
collections housed within. I agree with colleagues who feel that these
events are often necessary to promote collections, and believe (with
fingers crossed!) that strict guidelines and close supervision will ensure
the security of the collections.

Lois Fischer Black				(212) 822-7311
Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts 		fax (212)722-7650
The New York Academy of Medicine 

On Wed, 28 Oct 1998, Philip Weimerskirch wrote:
> 
>      This thread reminds of my days in the library of the New York
> Academy of Medicine, many years ago.  At that time there were two places
> where people could smoke, the Fellows Room, a sort of lounge room off
> the main reading room, and a small room at the far end of the rare book
> room.  The reason the rare book room had a room where one could smoke is
> that Arnold C. Klebs, who cataloged the Academy's incunabula, liked to
> smoke cigars while he worked.  They put him in this room, and for long
> afterwards anyone who wanted to smoke while reading rare books could do
> so in this room.  I suspect things have changed since then.
> 
>      Phil Weimerskirch, Providence Public Library
>