This is a MapHist list message (when you hit 'reply' you're replying to the
whole list)
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For those not interested in the New York map community or the relationship
between libraries and special interest groups, please stop reading now.
Hello everyone
I don’t speak for the New York Public Library either, but I did work there for
eight years as Alice Hudson’s assistant chief of the Map Division. I am certain
that Matt and the rest of the Map Division staff are sensibly keeping out of
this discussion, but I feel there are a couple of points that should be made.
I do not particularly condone the fact that NYPL, in the first instance,
decided to no longer allow meetings of the NY Map Society in the library, but I
do understand it. New York Public Library receives funding from both public and
private sources, so it is not entirely true to call it a public institution.
The Mercator Society, which is the support group for the Map Division, is a
group which is within the NYPL’s organization (in other words, it’s part of the
NYPL). The New York Map Society is an entirely separate and private group which
is not part of the NYPL, but is external to it. In these difficult economic
times, it could be that the administration of the Library felt that it could
not support two map groups, and if that’s the case, it’s not difficult to
understand why they chose to continue supporting the group that is part of
their own organization, no matter how much good work the Map Society has done.
After all, the Mercator Society
does generate income for the Map Division, which the Map Society does not.
It’s unfortunate that the situation is such that the Library felt it had to
make a choice, but it shouldn’t be difficult to understand the choice it made.
That would seem to be the simple explanation, and I could stop there, but I
won’t (I expect that doesn’t surprise people who know me). On the one hand, it
could be argued that the Map Society’s secretary didn’t do the Society any
favors by hanging out the dirty linen on an international e-mail list. Given
the indiscretion shown by recounting all of this publicly, I can only imagine
that “only we had to be a bit more forceful” was not a pretty sight. On the
other hand, we can all understand the secretary’s frustration, and in fact some
public pressure might have helped get the result the Society wanted. But I
would still question the wisdom of putting all these details on an
international email list, as you never know who’s reading them now, or the next
time the Map Society needs a favor. I’m sure Matt is doing his best to resolve
all this amicably; unfortunately, his efforts are being re-paid with the
announcement (do I need to mention
“international email list” again?) that “NYPL might be able to supply
alcohol.” That’s just what taxpayers and donors need to hear, let alone
library administrators. Let’s hope all Matt’s excellent work with bringing new
life to old maps of New York isn’t interrupted by a call from the new Library
president for a reprimand, all thanks to the New York Map Society.
My opinions are my own and I do not speak for any organization I have worked
for, do work for, or may work for in the future.
April Carlucci
The Intinerent Map Catalog(u)er
--- On Thu, 21/7/11, John Day <jeanj...@comcast.net> wrote:
From: John Day <jeanj...@comcast.net>
Subject: [MapHist] Re: New York Map Society, NYPL Resolution and Schedule
To: "Discussion group for map history" <maphist@geo.uu.nl>
Date: Thursday, 21 July, 2011, 22:58
This is a MapHist list message (when you hit 'reply' you're replying to the
whole list)
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Excuse me. I am sorry I don't quite know how this untouched message got sent.
I will be more careful in the future.
This is a MapHist list message (when you hit 'reply' you're replying to the
whole list)
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This is a MapHist list message (when you hit 'reply' you're replying to the
whole list)
o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o + o +
Dear John,
While I don't speak for the NYPL, in my opinion, there was nothing like
security concerns.
The Map Society has been extend several privileges when it comes to rare maps
and books at the library.
I believe that the situation mostly arose from the restructuring of the library
that's been ongoing for almost two years now.
>From having new President, Dr. Anthony Marx, come in a few months ago, to the
>replacement of Department Heads and building managers,
the library has gone over one of the most massive corporate overhauls I've ever
seen.
Matt and Kate had to take over for Alice Hudson after she left having given the
library almost 40 years of service.
Basically, the Map Society wasn't exactly the first priority.
The Map Society was having problems with the schedule and meeting space for
quite some time.
It was becoming impossible to book speakers while not knowing exactly what room
we were meeting in or how much time we were allotted, etc.etc.
Then as people came and went, different rules were imposed on us and the
situation became confusing.
Finally we had to say,"hey guys, what about us?"
Only we had to be a bit more forceful.
We've already exchanged emails with Matt regarding a possible event in March
celebrating Mercator's birthday.
Depending on what we do, it might include the Map Division, the Map Society,
the Mercator Society and the Mid Manhattan branch.
On top of that, Matt said the NYPL might be able to supply us alcohol for the
event if it works out with the Mercator Society schedule.
When anyone makes the offer of booze, I think it's safe to say that all's well
on the Western Front.
Best,
Heather
>First of all, I can't say how pleased I am to hear this news! When
>this news was posted it here it simply made no sense.
>I realize that this is probably an impolitic question to ask, ;-) but
>what was the problem and why are the meetings across the street? Was
>it a question of increased security?
>Why did the Library just summarily say no, rather than working with a
>group that is clearly a great supporter of the Library to find a
>solution? This whole things seems quite perplexing and unfathomable.
Take care,
John
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hosted by the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
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_______________________________________________
MapHist: E-mail discussion group on the history of cartography
hosted by the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
the views of the author.
List Information: http://www.maphist.nl
Maphist mailing list
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http://mailman.geo.uu.nl/mailman/listinfo/maphist
_______________________________________________
MapHist: E-mail discussion group on the history of cartography
hosted by the Faculty of Geosciences, University of Utrecht.
The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of
the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of
Utrecht. The University of Utrecht does not take any responsibility for
the views of the author.
List Information: http://www.maphist.nl
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