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A mainstay of Harlem history is in danger of being dismantled. The collection of materials at the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture may be partitioned and sent to various branches of the New York Public Library. This in addition to the possibility of the Center’s collections being sent off to another research library should be an issue of great concern for the Harlem community in particular, and those in the African Diaspora in general. There is even talk of renaming the facility.
The Schomburg is a world reknown research library, and to treat its collection like its of little consequence is a mistake. Originally created in 1926, the Center has been a beacon for scholars, activists, and historians studying and gathering information. With director Howard Dodson slated to leave in February of 2011, the future of the research library is very much in jeopardy.
Its apparent that the community of New York City will have to become involved in this matter to ensure that the Schomburg will not be on the chopping block. We in the Harlem community can not allow this to happen. People come from all over the world to access this library. It would be a tragedy if we allow the life work of Arturo A. Schomburg to be undermined. I urge that those who are in favor of protecting the Center sign the CEMOTAP petition here We in the Harlem community can not allow this to happen.
Courtesy of Marc W. Polite
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That is outrageous!
Unbelievable!
In response to the recent speculation about a rumored dismantling of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library reaffirms its commitment to the Schomburg. As Library President Paul LeClerc has stated in a recent Amsterdam News op-ed, “We welcome this opportunity to share with you the commitment from NYPL that the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is here to stay. There has never been any thought whatsoever of moving the Schomburg. Harlem is its home, and it is where the Schomburg is going to be forever.”
Howard Dodson, in a recent statement available on the Schomburg website (http://www.nypl.org/sites/default/files/schomburg_safe_in_harlem.pdf), responds to the speculation: “What has moved me the most about the flurry of emails, blogs, and news stories that have appeared in print and electronic media has been the deep, passionate concerns that so many have expressed about the future of the Schomburg Center. This has, indeed, been heartening because it is clear evidence that so many of you care deeply about the Center’s future and are prepared to support, defend and protect it. What has troubled me is that unfortunately, some of the concerns that motivated these expressions of commitment are simply not true, not based on fact. The most disturbing of the false rumors that are circulating and creating so much anxiety is the notion that The New York Public Library is planning to break up the Schomburg Center’s collection and disburse them throughout its branch libraries. No proposal to do such a mindless and egregious thing has ever been proposed during my 25-plus year history here that I am aware of.”
NYPL remains fully dedicated to the invaluable mission and unparalleled place held by the Schomburg Center for so many communities, scholars, students, and more. The Center and its rich and unique collections will continue to flourish indefinitely into the future.
An important way to support the Schomburg Center is to visit it — in person and online. Invite your friends and your family and come to see the current exhibition: What’s Up @ the Schomburg?, which showcases treasures from the collections and celebrates the people, programs, and services of the Schomburg.
The public is also invited to attend the Library’s “What’s Up @ the Schomburg: A Community Conversation,” a forum that will be held in the Langston Hughes Auditorium on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Thank you for your passion and for your continued support of the Schomburg.
Thank you for the clarification.
HW