Preservation Supplies for a Collection of Historical Medical Pamphlets

FAIN: PG-233660-16

New York Academy of Medicine (New York, NY 10029-5207)
Erin Albritton (Project Director: May 2015 to December 2015)
Paul H. Theerman (Project Director: December 2015 to January 2018)

The purchase of preservation supplies to rehouse the library’s collection of approximately 50,000 health pamphlets dating from the 19th through the first half of the 20th century. The materials in this collection, which is part of a larger collection of pamphlets, were created for the purpose of educating the public about health and wellness issues, providing advice published in many languages for travelers and immigrants, and promoting new food production technologies and recipes. Collectively, they offer significant historical perspectives regarding health concerns and changing attitudes to disease, diet, and medical training. Currently, the collection is heavily used by the staff of the New York Academy of Medicine for training, tours, and coursework, as well as by outside scholars and educators. The library also collaborates with local museums, such as The Museum of the City of New York, in developing exhibitions.

This grant would support the purchase of preservation supplies needed to rehouse The New York Academy of Medicine Library's Health Pamphlet Collection, creating a long-term solution for the safe handling and efficient access and storage of these materials. This well-used and historically significant collection is comprised of approximately 50,000 pamphlets that date from the 19th through the first half of the 20th century and illuminate a range of health-related issues—including, for example, health and wellness education; travel and tourism; food production and history; medical education; and mental health—through the lens of that time period. Because of its current storage, the collection is at high risk of damage and potential loss. Although the Academy has current supplies and funding to carry out a portion of this important project, financial support from the NEH would ensure that the collection can be rehoused in its entirety and made accessible to both current and future users.