VMs: Beinecke Procedures

["DANA SCOTT" <dscott520@xxxxxxx>]

The following contains some notes on Beinecke procedures:

First, let me say that I was stunned that Beinecke actually allowed me to 
directly examine the MS without white gloves.  I eventually put the gloves 
on.  The staff kept very close vigilence over my detailed examination of the 
MS.  While they encouraged me to ask for any assistance needed, I soon 
learned that while they might have been willing to comply, the would 
often/always seek the advice of a higher authority, which I suspect 
ultimately led to demise and short circuited examination of the MS (well, 3 
days wasn't actually short, so I was informed).  As I recall, the last 
straw/request was my petition for a lamp so that I could reduce the strain 
on my eyes and remove the cast of shadows over the manuscript.  The best 
light to use would be sunlight and I was going through various contortions 
lifting folio pages to the light which I suspect was not very desireable.  
In future, those who may have an opportunity to examine the MS would be well 
advised not to make "special" requests while examining the MS.  Sponge 
supports, weighted "spaghetti" rolls (to help hold down folios curved at the 
edges or simply to hold the MS open), pencils (pens are not allowed), no 
loose sheets of paper (a security precaution so nothing gets folded in the 
paper and tucked away for illicit removal), preferably nothing in your 
pockets (wallets OK, just don't remove them), laptops are OK and even 
provided for use at the librarians' desk, lockers are provided at no cost 
(more or less a 1.5 foot cube), no food or drink (though I have brought the 
staff donuts and cookies which they appreciate; no flowers, though, because 
of the possibility of introducing bugs into the library), rulers and 
magnifying glasses are OK and loaned out at no charge, talking not allowed, 
no cell phones, no recording devices, surveillance cameras in the reading 
room, and the ever vigilent staff keeping an eye on those who are examining 
very sensitive and delicate manuscripts such as the VMs.  The stacks are 
closed and all requests must be made through the library staff.  Only one 
call item may be viewed at a time.  Master copies of microfiche and a 
microfiche reader are available as well.


Dana


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