Dear All,
A primary goal of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of ALA in this
past year has been the forging of stronger ties with the Antiquarian
Booksellers' Association of America. Rare book librarians and antiquarian
booksellers have so much to offer each other outside the bounds of
commerce, so much knowledge and experience to share, it seems fantastic
that only now are the two major organizations in these fields beginning to
develop educational programs and information sharing schemes, to our mutual
benefit.
The officers of RBMS are therefore dismayed by the recent turn of events,
which seems to threaten the very existence of Exlibris, an independent
electronic bulletin board where librarians, booksellers, collectors, and
bibliographers have long met to discuss matters of mutual concern, to
exchange information, and to learn from and about one another in an
atmosphere usually characterized by generosity of spirit and genuine
affection, even when we have not always agreed with one another.
I know I speak for the RBMS Executive Committee, and I suspect that I speak
for a good many rare book librarians as well, in regretting deeply Everett
Wilkie's unilateral decision to ban catalogue announcements on Exlibris. It
is clear from the posted responses that many listmembers (librarians,
booksellers, and others) consider these announcements a valuable feature of
Exlibris, and we think it is unfair to the list as a whole, as well as
insulting to our bookseller colleagues specifically, to impose such a ban
without discussion.
I have asked Everett privately, and now urge him publicly, to begin that
discussion immediately.
Eric Holzenberg
Chair, RBMS
Director & Librarian
The Grolier Club
47 East 60th Street
New York, NY 10022
212/838-6690
fax 212/838-2445
ejh@grolierclub.org
www.grolierclub.org