HARRISBURG, Pa., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania's collection of rare books and materials, including early newspapers and many of Benjamin Franklin's political and scientific publications, is moving into a new facility within the State Library to ensure the historic documents are safely preserved.
The Rare Collections Library uses state-of-the-art environmental control systems to protect thousands of priceless, irreplaceable items from the detrimental effects of humidity and temperature extremes, light, pollution and other conditions that deteriorate paper-based collections.
"As the birthplace of our nation, Pennsylvania is fortunate to have many documents that chronicle the founding of America and tell the story of our earliest citizens," Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said. "We have a collective responsibility to ensure these unique materials are preserved in perpetuity, and the new rare collections facility will do just that."
The Governor's Advisory Council on Library Development with the State Library of Pennsylvania started planning the $7.2 million rare collections library in 1998, and construction began in 2003. With the instrumental support of Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, the General Assembly and the Capitol Preservation Committee, construction was completed and library staff recently began the delicate process of moving materials into the new facility.
The move is expected to be completed by spring, when the collection will once again become available to the public.
The Rare Collections Library includes some of the oldest and rarest materials in American history, including:
-- Editions of Poor Richard's Almanac published by Benjamin Franklin.
-- Hand-written and illustrated songbooks from the Ephrata Cloister.
-- Christopher Saur's German Bible, the first American Bible published in the Colonies in a modern European language.
-- The Assembly Collection, more than 400 volumes of primarily law books purchased by Benjamin Franklin for use by Pennsylvania's legislators beginning in 1745. This collection includes the 1739 Assembly Bible, upon which generations of Pennsylvania's elected leaders have taken their oaths of office.
-- Early newspapers, books and pamphlets published as early as 1685, including publications from Benjamin Franklin's press.
While these rare documents may be viewed by appointment for research purposes, they cannot be borrowed or checked out like standard library materials. Most of the historic newspapers have been microfilmed or digitized, offering readers convenient access to the information while protecting the source materials from further deterioration or damage.
Zahorchak said the effort to preserve these rare materials would not have been possible without the extensive professional expertise and cooperation of the Department of General Services, which oversees State Library facilities.
General Services Secretary James P. Creedon said his agency was honored to play a role in preserving Pennsylvania's history.
"The Department of General Services is proud to be a partner in this mission to protect and preserve our commonwealth's history," Creedon said. "Preserving these vital documents for future generations will serve as our legacy for generations to come."
For more information on Pennsylvania's libraries, visit http://www.pde.state.pa.us/.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
