Does this heartening news from USA precede any similar - and continuing
(see BL example made of Tom Harper) - good news from UK? The notice of
a "Rare Map Curator" is, perhaps, an unintended 'portmanteau' term (see
Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll) as map curators (or:
Curators of Maps; or: Map Archivists) become increasingly rare
creatures.
Francis Herbert (archaic curator of maps)
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Tony Campbell
Sent: 04 March 2010 17:53
To: *MapHist
Subject: [MapHist] Good news from Stanford University's Branner Library
Amid all the depressing news about the closure or side-lining of map
libraries it is highly encouraging to read of developments at Stanford
University.
First - courtesy of Kirsten Seaver - I was alerted to an announcement on
23
February from the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections,
headed
(and this would usually be cause for deep trepidation) 'Branner Library
Reorganization'.
https://lib.stanford.edu/sulair-news/branner-library-reorganization
On the contrary, it described how the library was to expand, with
'several
new positions', and promotion for its head, Julie Sweetkind-Singer. See
the
link above for the details.
The library and Julie in particular have been in the news in recent
years as
recipients of major donations, most notably David Rumsey's 150,000 map
collection. The map dealer Barry Ruderman was also induced to donate
the
images of 2,500 maps he had sold so that they could be offered for free
viewing, at high resolution, on the Stanford site.
Then, yesterday, I noticed an advertisement for a Rare Map Curator at
the
Branner.
http://www.higheredjobs.com/search/details.cfm?JobCode=175420817
Numerous Duties are mentioned in the full text above but one or two can
be
highlighted for this list.
"3) Serve as the subject specialist for historic maps making selection
decisions for materials to be acquired for the collection.
4) Provide outreach to the faculty and students using the collections.
a. Provide reference services for all areas of the collection, which
incorporates both paper-based and digital materials ...
d. Instruct classes, groups, and individuals in the use of cartographic
materials for research."
And among the 'desired qualifications' would be: 'Formal training in
cartographic history and geography'.
The Branner is a leader in digitization projects and GIS studies. In no
way
is it looking backwards. But that Rare Map Curator post - part of an
expanding team - looks to me like a reassertion of the values of, indeed
necessity for, curatorial experience and expertise. 'Subject specialist'
is
a term I thought was almost extinct.
It is probably being hopelessly optimistic to think that this might be
seen
as a constructive model for others to follow. Just as the British
Library
Map Library's appointment, a few years ago, of Tom Harper as Curator of
Antiquarian Mapping [I hope I have that title correct] will be fully
justified by his contribution to the blockbuster exhibition,
'Magnificent
Maps: Power, Propaganda and Art', due to open on 30 April.
Are there other examples of libraries actively promoting expertise in
the
history of cartography? It would lift the winter gloom to hear of them.
Tony Campbell
[log in to unmask]
See 'Latest News'
http://www.maphistory.info/newslatest.html
[Note. Most news entries are NOT posted to MapHist]
Recent posts:
Stanford's job announcement reaffirms importance of the curator
Is Iran now supporting Korea's "East Sea" claims?
Bulgarian mayor uses billboard map to assert claims to part of Greece
Stanford's Branner Library bucks the trend and expands
An informal interview with the head of Yale University's Map Department
Reissue of Quirino's Philippine Cartography
The accuracy of the Madaba Map's Jerusalem plan confirmed by excavation
|