--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 11:47:02 -0400 From: ahudson <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Sanborn Atlases <fwd> Sender: ahudson <[log in to unmask]> At NYPL Map Division 1. The older Sanborns are heavily used, and the ones for NYC are considered primary reference materials for the Map Division ref desk, where we are focusing more and more on NYC reference. [Think taxpayers, public relations, audience, etc. etc.] 2. None of our Sanborns have been sent to Special Collections which would not accept them anyway, as they are not antique, rare, or French. [or sorry, that was rude, and I meant English, anyway. Ouch!] 3. Few have red rot, as most have been rebound. Many still need rebinding, which is not being done...now they are boxed. Not my idea of good conservation policy, but I am not in charge. 4. We have disassembled many of these, and encapsulated them for ease of access. More than one reader at a time can use plates from the same atlas, copies can be made with ease [without having to fight the weight and size and tight bindings of the books] Another benefit, the plates can also be used in exhibits, and for "show and tell" with donors and students. 5. We have microfilm copies, but these are many times not replacements, but variants. It is critical to study the microfilm in comparison with hard copies, either of which may have manuscript notations or glued in info not in the other format. The secret here: ask your users to tell you if they find differences. If they are intensely using particular volumes, they will see differences you might never notice. Document these differences if you have the time, staff and inclination. If you cannot do this for all the Sanborns you have, do it for your own city,and leave it up to others to monitor their own!! I have never seen the middle ground in a map collection. You are usually at the top or the bottom of a steep cliff. Middle ground sounds kinda neat. Alice Hudson Map Division, NYPL ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Sanborn Atlases <fwd> Author: Johnnie Sutherland <[log in to unmask]> at Internet Date: 08/28/2000 5:46 PM --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 16:39:29 -0400 From: "John A. Olson" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Sandorn Atlases Sender: "John A. Olson" <[log in to unmask]> Greetings All, I have a question for those of you out there with old original Sanborn atlases. How actively are they used in your collection? Have you sent portions, or all of your Sanborns to your Special Collection Dept./Lib.? How many of your atlases are suffering from red-rot or broken spines? Have any of you permanently dis-assembled atlases for ease of use and access for users? Have you replaced them with microfilm copies? We have a large collection of these monsters (125 of them) and want to know how others are providing needed access for patron while addressing the storage, and conservation needs for the materials. Is there any middle ground? Thanks for your input. ---------------------------------------------------------- John A. Olson [log in to unmask] Maps/GIS Librarian (315) 443-4818 358 Bird Library Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 13244 --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---