"Do You Have Me," The Saga Continues

THE FINAL (OR AT LEAST “LATEST”) INSTALLMENT OF “DO YOU HAVE ME.”   ​First, though, before I get to today’s episode, a recap of what came before:

EPISODE ONE, aired September 10:

I discovered a first-edition volume of Letters of Emily Dickinson from 1894, edited by Mabel Loomis Todd and signed by her sister Lavinia, on a shelf at UVA’s Shannon Library.  I took it to the circulation desk and explained the history and value of the book.  I recommended that it be transferred to their special collections library.  Details are HERE and HERE. 

​COMMERCIAL BREAK – BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER “Y”

“Y” was that book on the shelf?

• It’s a first edition – from 1894
• It was edited by Mabel Loomis Todd – the very women who first got Dickinson’s poems published!
• It was signed by the poet’s sister, Lavinia!

I ask again, “Y” was that book on the shelf for general circulation?

WE NOW RETURN TO OUR DAILY POST:

EPISODE TWO, aired September 17:

I returned to the Shannon Library.  The book was not back on the shelf.  I then visited the Small Special Collections Library, and those there were not aware of the status of the book.  They assumed it was working its way through whatever process was to be followed in order to transfer the book to their collection.  They did not set my mind at ease. 
I emailed the curatorial  staff, and received this reply:

"Thanks so much for letting us know and for sending the photos. I’ve made a note to check when it’s back on the shelf in Shannon. I hope you had productive visits at Shannon and Special Collections."

Details are HERE. 

​COMMERCIAL BREAK – BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER “G”

As in “G,”  how cool is that!

• I couldn’t contain my excitement about my find, so I let people know.
• From a programming director at a local library I got back, “Thanks so much for sharing that story with us. That is an incredible find—what a lucky discovery!”
• From Jane Wald, the Director of the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, I heard, “Amazing! What an exciting find!”

I say again, “G,”  how cool is that!

WE NOW RETURN TO OUR DAILY POST:
 
EPISODE THREE, aired September 24: 

Basically a repeat of Episode Two: I returned to the Shannon Library.  The book was not back on the shelf.  I then visited the Small Special Collections Library; however, this time they said they were too busy to check on the status of the book. They did not set my mind at ease.   Details are in "Update #2" on this post, HERE. 

Later in the day, I received this email:
​
“Our colleague let us know you were in the Special Collections reading room today and asked about the status of the first edition volume signed by Lavinia Dickinson. As Krystal noted, we’re looking into it. We’re grateful for your thoughtful care and advocacy! With thanks on behalf of the curatorial team….”

COMMERCIAL BREAK – BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER “L”

As in, “What the ‘L’ is going on?”

• A friend of mine gave me the name of someone she thought was involved in the upper echelons of the library system at UVA.  I emailed him with info on the book and asked if he could look into the matter.
• No response.
• Later I emailed Leo S. Lo, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries.  Once again, I provided background information on the book, and I expressed my concern. 
• No response.

I repeat, “What the ‘L’ is going?” 

FINALLY, WE MAKE IT TO TODAY'S EPISODE!

EPISODE FOUR, aired October 1:

I returned to Shannon Library.  The book was not on the shelf.  As I was exiting, I noticed that the circulation desk librarian on duty was the same with whom I discussed the book in Episode One.  I asked if she remembered me and if she recalled the book; as we were speaking, a woman at a nearby desk called out,  “Maybe I can help.”

She introduced herself as a reference librarian and said that she could look into the matter.  She examined my pic of the book, typed the book’s call numbers into the computer, and voila – info popped up.  According to the computer, the book was in the hands of the Preservation Services Team.  It was being evaluated to determine if the book should be returned to the shelf at Shannon or, perhaps, be transferred to Small.

Of course, I emphasized that the book should not be returned to the shelf for general circulation; however, I was happy to find out that the book was accounted for.

​Now, why in the world didn’t anyone else tell me that in any of the earlier episodes and emails?
 
The reference librarian also gave me the name of the head of the Preservation Services team, so I plan to email her today – just to check, just to set my mind at ease.  

COMMERCIAL BREAK – BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER “C”

As in “Let's  ‘C’ what comes of all of this" ...and as in "C" you later!  

I'll be on the road for a bit, so no more daily posts until about mid-month.

This concludes our broadcast day!