----- Original Message -----
From: Marilyn Nasserden <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: Vertical Files


>
> Hi Rebecca,
> We have over 9,000 artist files with at least half on Canadian artists
> and some galleries here at the University of Library Library. All visual
> arts media are included e.g. painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic
> arts, illustration, crafts, ceramics, design, architecture, etc.  The
> files contain clippings from newspapers, artists' c.v.'s, gallery
> handouts, exhibition notices, postcards, small exhibition catalogues,
> and other ephemera.  Our files take up 16 overly-full filing cabinets
> (the 3 drawer vertical variety).
>
> We have student assistants who process the items for the files while
> they man the circulation desk for our mediated audio music collection
> (among other duties).  The students probably take about 10 hours a week
> processing these items which may sound like a lot of time (it is)
> however if the thin exhibition catalogues and such were LC catalogued,
> much more time would be involved in making these items accessible.  A
> senior library assistant marks which items to clip for the files from
> local arts and entertainment newspapers or sections of newspapers which
> are not indexed in our online newspaper indexes - usually also on her
> desk shifts.  I pass along any gallery notices or other materials that
> come my way.  As noted, most of the items we put into our files are free
> however a small percentage are small exhibition catalogues that we
> received on our Canadian art approval plan with Coutts; these items
> usually only cost about $5 per item.
>
> Our use is split between external requests from across Canada and the US
> who have identified us from Artists in Canada, and our local university
> community of students and faculty.  I would say that we average about 5
> uses per week normally with additional larger waves when whole classes
> of Canadian art students descend on us.  I believe that if we had the
> files on our online catalogue, which is a current goal of mine, the use
> would rise tremendously.  The people who have used our files are always
> thrilled as most often this is the only place that they found this sort
> of information or the answer to their question.  I believe that it is
> important that local information be preserved for the future.  For
> instance, in the last year, the emeritus art librarian here wrote a book
> on Alberta Artists and used our files, as well as many other sources,
> extensively.
>
> We are open 9-4:30 M-F from mid-April to the end of August and during
> intersessions.  During Fall and Winter terms, we are open to 6 p.m.
> M-Thurs, to 4:30 on Fridays, and 12-4 on Saturdays.
>
> Hope the above information helps your situation.  Feel free to get back
> to me if you have any questions.
>
> Regards,
> Marilyn
> --
> Marilyn Nasserden
> Fine Arts (Art and Music) and Environmental Design Librarian
> University of Calgary Library
>
> > Forwarded From: Rebecca Steel <[log in to unmask]>
> >
> > > I would like to collect basic info on other institution's usage of
Vertical
> > Files  (number of files or drawers, types of files, value as research
> > resource to staff & patrons, opinions on relative costs of acquisition,
> > processing, space compared to books), as our Library is having to defend
> > the
> > existence of our Vertical Files to our board. The files focus on local &
> > regional artists, artists in permanent collection or exhibitions &
> > Subject/Picture Files. Despite the substantial usage by the
> > institution's
> > faculty & students, curators & museum educators & members & general
> > public, I
> > am once again defending the existence of such a resource, the space
> > devoted
> > to the files & the time involved in processing & filing, etc. Any and
> > all
> > comments would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > We also find ourselves defending our Library's existence altogether in
> > terms as numbers of patrons actually visiting the facility, do not
> > compare to
> > say a branch of the public library. Any figures on number of patrons vs.
> > hours of service would be appreciated. The size of the collection &
> > whether
> > the Library serves a school or museum or both & numbers of full
> > time/part
> > time staff would be appreciated as well. (we average 32 hours/week open
> > to
> > general public with weekend & evening hours in addition to daily hours
> > of
> > Tue.-Sat. 10-), We have a book collection of near 11,000 books & a
> > similar
> > number of slides, have one full time Librarian & part time staff (2
> > currently) to cover weekend & evening hours.
> > >
> > > Thank you for your assistance, should you have the time.
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Rebecca D. Steel, Librarian
> > > Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Library
> > > 314 South Park Street
> > > Kalamazoo, MI  49007-5102
> > > (616) 349-7775, x3165
> > > FAX: (616) 349-9313
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > > http://www.kiarts.org
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________________________
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> > > Administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc)
> > >         to [log in to unmask]
> > > ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
> > >        http://lsv.uky.edu/archives/arlis-l.html
> > > Questions may be addressed to list owner (Kerri Scannell) at:
> > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> >
> > --
>
>

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Mail submissions to [log in to unmask]
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ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance:
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