Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Library, Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, Belém, Brazil
Along with Abel Packer and Marcia Barretto from BIREME and Bráulio Dias, Director of the National Biodiversity Program, Ministry of Environment, I received an extensive tour of the library of the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi. The library itself is located at the research campus of the museum on the grounds of the Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, a number of miles from the museum.
The Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi is a Brazilian research institution and museum located in the city of Belém, state of Pará. It was founded in 1866. The museum has an extensive research program in the Amazon region, with a strong focus on life sciences (especially taxonomy) as well as earth sciences and anthropology. The museum has also maintained an important program of publication since its founding that continues through today.
The library visit was led by Francileila Cavalcante and Nelson Sanjad, assisted by other members of the library staff. Cavalcante and Sanjad brought out many of the fine rare materials in their collections. Currently, the materials are stored in an uncontrolled environment, but a brand new secure and environmentally controlled room has just been completed and all the rare materials will be moving there in the next few weeks.
The Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi Library will be one of the participants in the digitization project that will collaborate with the Biodiversity Heritage Library. As we examined the materials, we discussed the general parameters for digitization and the types of materials that work best with different types of equipment.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Sanjad and Cavalcante presented us with a selection of publications from the museum.
– Martin R. Kalfatovic
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