[PADG:2377] Re: Duke News -- Unusual Collection of American Newspapers Donated to Duke Libraries

[Winston Atkins <Winston.Atkins@xxxxxxxx>]

Folks,
I wanted to respond to Walter's questions about the American Newspaper
Repository and to thank Robert for his thoughtful comments on the
collection--and to apologize for not responding sooner to the list. I've
been out of the office and am just now getting to my email.

This is still a very new collection for us and all of the details have yet
to be worked out. Nevertheless, the Duke University Libraries will provide
access to the original newspapers according to guidelines developed within
the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library. As our press
release noted, the newspapers in the ANR will be housed in an environment
with the well-regulated temperature and low humidity conducive to their
long-term preservation. Because it is such a new collection, we have not
yet developed all of our plans for preservation, including possible
reformatting projects. It very well may be that we decide that digitization
would be an appropriate way to share this collection more broadly. If we
determine that reformatting is appropriate, I have every confidence that Mr
Baker would be pleased. Mr Baker has a deep understanding of the importance
of this collection and everything I've heard from him convinces me that he
wants passionately for this collection to be shared with as many people as
possible. The ANR is every bit the treasure that Robert described and we
want to do it proud.

Best,
Winston
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Winston Atkins
Preservation Department
Duke University Libraries
Campus Box 90189
Durham, NC 27708-0189

winston.atkins@xxxxxxxx
Ph: 919-660-5843     Fax 919-684-2855
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