Re: Donnell Media Center in Jeopardy

From: Bill Brand (email suppressed)
Date: Mon Nov 12 2007 - 16:05:34 PST


Only a few years ago, NYPL invested in a state of the art film
storage facility for the collection. They have also completed more
than a half million dollars in film preservations on their collection
in the last 1/2 dozen years. Their preservation of Cinda Firestone's
Attica just showed at Lincoln Center last week to much acclaim. I
expect NYPL is VERY serious about maintaining its precious and superb
collection. Of course you could just contact the staff at the
Donnell and see the story really is. But what fun would that be!

Bill

>In a message dated 11/12/2007 12:27:28 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>email suppressed writes:
>
>Because there are 16mm film prints involved, I'll bet the "powers
>that be" will want to protect the material or worse
>
>I've seen this movie before. They'll soon deny access because of
>"security concerns," and then in a short while, will say that
>because no one is using the collection, they are reconsidering it.
>
>Library administrators pull this all the time. The big trend now is
>to get rid of things-- especially those that are old. As pretext,
>they always laud the materials, and then in time, reveal that they
>'regret' the fact that this or that problem has suddenly arisen with
>them.
>
>If the prints and movie materials are worth any money, private
>parties will suddenly approach the Library and volunteer to
>"partner" with the collection. They will be cheered as saving
>angels, and then in a few short years, there it goes.
>
>Guys, this happens all the time in modern library administration.
>It's what causes conscientious research librarians to pull their
>hair out. The worst, most gauling thing about this is that if
>anything destructive happens to the Collection, it will be promoted
>by the "powers that be" as a wonderful event.
>
>Sorry to be so negative, but be vigilant here. Hire lawyers if you
>have to, to look into the legalities behind divestiture-- some
>states require public institutions to hand over materials to other
>public entities, before anyone else.
>
>Film materials are extremely desirable on the market, and there will
>be pressures on the Library to surrender the Collection-- just like
>they got rid of the building property itself.
>
>
>
>
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>
>__________________________________________________________________
>For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.

-- 
Bill Brand
108 Franklin Street #4W
New York, NY  10013
(212) 966-6253
http://www.bboptics.com
__________________________________________________________________
For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.