Cloisters Library and Archives
Round Robin Report for 2004, submitted April 7, 2004
1. Administrative
The library had no change in number of personnel. However Michael Carter has been promoted to a professional position:
Annamaria Poma-Swank, Ph.D., Associate Museum Librarian
Michael K Carter, Research Associate
To undergo and complete the various library projects the library has hired 3 volunteers
and started an internship program with the major library schools in the area.
At the moment we have three interns.
The major problem of our library is shortage of space. We are working with the administration to implement a program to deal with space shortage of our facilities.
The administration has been very cooperative and a committee of curators, architect, educators, is working with us.
Budget shortage has also affected the library. Last year we finally completed our
collection development policy which was discussed and approved by the Cloisters and the medieval department staff. Due to the luck of funds (we have no more an operating budget), we are trying to wisely use of our funds, cutting expenses as much as we can.
The acquisition policy has been modified and we try to share the acquisition with the other libraries in the Met, to avoid unnecessary duplicates and expenses.
For acquisition of expensive material such as facsimiles, we also rely upon other libraries in the area.
Financial concern:
Shortage of money can affect the completeness of the collection
And compromises our ability to keep up to date on acquisition
Undergoing projects
1. In house retrospective conversion of library materials, including
Conversion from the old MET classification to LC classification system
2. Completion of the inherited backlog
3. Creation and organization of a vertical file to include pamphlets, guidebooks, clipping, and other material useful to the research needs of our staff
4. Organization of the Archive collection, create finding aids, and bibliographic
Records
Activities
1. The library has sponsored a Collection Development Discussion Group
(NYCDDG) in the Metropolitan area to discuss with peer libraries problems and concerns
1. The library has contacts with the Rockefeller Archive to develop a project, or eventually and International Symposium on Rockefeller and the Arts.
The executive director, Dr. David Stapleton, has offered to eventually
pay a student to work in our archive.
3. MMA Development has set up a memorial fund in the name of Robert Swank. These funds will be redirected to The Cloisters Library. Donation checks should be made payable to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and mailed to: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Development Office 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10029 Attn: Corin Crucitti (The memo portion of the check should say "in memory of Robert Swank," or the donor can include a note with this same information.)
Long term projects:
1. Develop a proposal to request a grant for the completion of the Fan room,
a facility which will be used for additional shelving and working space
2. Develop a proposal to request additional funds to hire a professional archivist
to complete the organization of the archive
3. Develop a proposal for an exhibition of library and archival material
in the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Museum
Cari Saluti a Tutti,
Annamaria Poma-Swank, Ph.D.
Associate Museum Librarian
The Cloisters Library & Archives
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fort Tryon Park
New York, NY 10040-1171
(212) 396-5367
fax: (212) 795-3640
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Associate Adjunct Professor, SILS, PRATT Institute, NY, NY
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