>Maybe this was discussed already, but has anyone or could a group send out a
>notice to local libraries and holding institutions as to the importance of
>holding printed volumes, even if they are microfilmed, and that some other
>repository would take them?

This is what it all comes down to, isn't it?

I'm happy to say that my library has a good collection of newspaper volumes
(inherited from another library, I believe) and other historical material.
When we had a roof leak this past summer, I rescued them from the flood.  Don's
seen some of my digitizing projects and we share an interest in saving this
sort of thing and making it available online.

On the other hand, we're in a space crunch and everything is being examined
with a critical eye as we prepare for a major reorganization of our building.
There's no way we could absorb someone else's collection.  The local historical
society has a wonderful library, but they also have space constraints.

It's probably safe to say that this would apply to most public libraries....
maybe the new Broome County Public Library would be an exception, as they will
be allied with the local historian and possibly another office.

So - if I know of a large collection of documents which will be discarded after
microfilming and I'd like to preserve them, what are my options?

Bob Sullivan                               [log in to unmask]
Schenectady County Public Library (NY)     http://www.scpl.org