0

By

From Ted VanItallie, president of the Florida Historical Society, urging the signing of a petition to save the State Library:

Dear Friend of Florida History:

As President of the state’s only statewide historical society and oldest cultural institution, The Florida Historical Society, I feel it is imperative for me to voice my strong objection to Governor Jeb Bush’s recent proposal to eliminate the State Library of Florida, severely limit the activities of the Division of Archives, and eliminate the State Museum of Florida. This is an ill-conceived idea that will greatly impair the work of individuals interested in Florida’s history and a create negative perception of modern Florida among thinking Americans.

The State Museum is a vital component of the cultural and educational life of the state. The valuable collections it houses deserve the very best efforts of trained conservationists and museum professionals. Placing these irreplaceable items under the Park Service (as the governor proposes) is irresponsible. Moreover, this action represents a most unfortunate and cynical repudiation of the pledges made on behalf of the State of Florida to the many donors of priceless historical items. This kind of action is shameful.

The Florida Archives need full-time, adequately trained professionals to oversee the preservation and curation of this unique and wonderful collection. To relegate such a valuable resource to the “care” of an amorphous and curatorially unqualified “Management Services” bureau, as proposed by the governor, is entirely unacceptable.

The proposed elimination or dismantling of the State Library of Florida is an abomination. The unwarranted attack on this fine institution has provoked an outcry from the public that transcends the boundaries of our state. The Florida Historical Society created an on-line petition (www.floridahistory.info/petition) on February 10 to register protests against the governor’s plan of action. In a mere 48 hours, more than 2,000 verified e-mail signatures have been added and an additional 600 are in the process of being verified as legitimate. What a response! But, what an issue!

I encourage anyone interested in Florida history, or who supports the concept that these cultural treasures should be readily accessible to all of our citizens, to sign this petition. Perhaps we can put a stop to this “evil” idea before it comes to fruition.

Ted VanItallie

President, The Florida Historical Society

The TeleRead take: TeleRead, however gung ho on the use and preservation of e-books and other digital items, abhors the proposed closing of the old-fashioned State Library. Even from a tech and new-media perspective, this idea is utterly clueless. Intact, the State Library might contribute in some wonderful ways to execution of the Florida Virtual Library Plan mentioned below–systematically putting the Library’s collection online. Yes, that could be done by other agencies. But not with the same cohesion that an established State Library could bring. Beyond that, aren’t historical documents worth preserving in their original formats, with the help of the very most qualified librarians? What’s the logical end result of all this nonsense? Will it spread to Washington? Now that the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence have been digitized, shall we shred them to save money and space? Hyperbole, but in Florida the line between reality and satire can be, er, paper-thin.

Many thousands of miles away, the Taliban no longer are the main rulers of Afghanistan, but their damage lives on. They remain a threat to history since future generations will still be deprived of important elements of Buddhist culture. Does Jeb Bush really want the destruction of the State Library to be his legacy? Imagine–a governor as an American Taliban.

 
0