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As a member of ARLIS since 1979, I have had the opportunity to meet many vendors who exhibit and often substantially support the national conference, Raymond Smith, Peter Bernett & Larry Malam, Chris Mees long before the prevalence of email & digital files.   I have had good business relationship with Ars Libri for decades.  My primary responsibility is collection development so all of these vendors have my email address and we are in regular contact.   However, I have learned about reputable, scholarly booksellers via their membership and postings on ARLIS-L.    For the librarians just starting out in their careers with perhaps limited opportunity to go to the annual conference, what better way to find out about specialists like Andrew Cahan Bookseller (rare & OP photography books) or Andrew Washton than by ARLIS-L?   I remember seeing several postings by Chris Mees (Designinform - now Arts Search) answering questions posed by librarians because he had the expertize.   Over the years Ray Smith has also answered vexing questions posed by librarians.  

I understand the annoyance of too much email - we all wrestle with it.  I could complain about posting to ARLIS-L instead of posting to a regional listserv, for example, of items of interest only to New York City because a catalog will not be published, etc.  The delete button works very well for me.  But maybe the post is of interest to many people outside of NYC.  Perhaps the Board can come up with a more balanced approach to posting to the benefit of all.
Respectfully,
Jet M. Prendeville, Art/Architecture Librarian
Brown Fine Arts Library, Fondren Library
Rice University
Houston, TX
713 348-2259
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On 4/15/2014 2:54 PM, Richard McElroy wrote:
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I would like to express two views concerning the recent decision to not allow "commercial" postings on ARLIS-L.

First as an acquisitions librarian I found receiving electronic catalogs and new book announcements a great service.  I did not see it as spam but an integral part of the selection process.  I am disappointed to see access no longer allowed.  Also I am concerned about what the criteria is.  Are we allowing university presses but not antiquarian dealers?  I would not want to have an argument as to which is more appropriate or beneficial.  This seems to me a limiting of resources for no sound justification.

Second, this is contrary to the founding principles of ARLIS.  Dealers, publishers and visual providers have been full members in some cases since our founding.  There was discussion at our founding about the role of firms in the society and it was decided they would be welcome as members.  That is the reason for the title "Art Libraries Society", not "Art Librarian Society".  Firms such as Ars Libri and F.A. Bernett have been most generous supporters of our society and open communication with other members should be an allowed benefit. 

I hope this decision is reconsidered.

--
Richard McElroy
12 Peirce Street
Arlington, MA 02476
781-646-7254
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Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org/join.html Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask]
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