Unlimited Priorities Coordinates Accessible Archives and CIC Content License to Complete Godey’s Lady’s Book

By Unlimited Priorities on June 29, 2009 in Unlimited Priorities News

Malvern, PA (June 29, 2009) – Accessible Archives, Inc.©, a publisher of electronic full-text search-able historical databases, has announced the finalization of its online database Godey’s Lady’s Book through the addition of the previously unavailable final six years. Coverage now spans the period 1830 – 1898, and features a fully-search-able XML-tagged file and the inclusion of the entire collection of color plates.

Our libraries are committed to a number of strategies to make their rich and extensive collections accessible to scholars and readers worldwide. –Mark Sandler

Published in Philadelphia, Godey`s Lady`s Book included extensive fashion descriptions and plates, biographical sketches, articles about mineralogy, handcrafts, female costume, the dance, equestrienne procedures, health and hygiene, recipes and remedies and the like, along with two pages of sheet music written essentially for the piano forte. Gradually the periodical matured into an important literary magazine containing extensive book reviews and works by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and many other celebrated 19th century authors. The Lady`s Book was also a vast reservoir of handsome illustrations which included hand-colored fashion plates, mezzotints, engravings, woodcuts and, ultimately, chromolithographs.

The missing years were located at the University of Iowa, and arrangements were made to supply them to Accessible Archives through the auspices of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC). This unusual cooperative venture between a library consortium and a commercial entity was coordinated by Unlimited Priorities, a company specializing in support for organizations within the information industry, acting in a consultative capacity. Unlimited Priorities initially approached the CIC for help in locating the missing volumes. Through its network of member library contacts the CIC soon was able to determine their availability at the University of Iowa. The University agreed to pack and ship the volumes to Accessible Archives who then arranged for their addition to the collection.

Mark Sandler, Director of the CIC Center for Library Initiatives, observed, “Our libraries are committed to a number of strategies to make their rich and extensive collections accessible to scholars and readers worldwide. This cooperative effort advances Accessible Archives’ efforts to create a value-added product for scholars, and gives the CIC a chance to archive and make accessible excellent digital representations of a number of volumes in the Godey’s run. We welcome these kinds of creative partnering opportunities with publishers and vendors.”

Tom Nagy, Accessible Archives COO, responded, “We had hoped to complete the collection earlier, but couldn’t locate the missing years. It was a great help when the CIC agreed to assist us, and we appreciate their prompt and professional response. We couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”

Iris Hanney, President of Unlimited Priorities, added, “This is a perfect example of a cooperative venture between a non-profit organization and a commercial vendor that really worked. We expect that this type of collaboration will continue to expand, and we look forward to continuing to assist parties from both sides in its growth and development.”

About the CIC

The Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) is a consortium of the Big Ten universities plus the University of Chicago. For half a century, these 12 world-class research institutions have advanced their academic missions, generated unique opportunities for students and faculty, and served the common good by sharing expertise, leveraging campus resources, and collaborating on innovative programs. Governed and funded by the Provosts of the member universities, CIC institutional mandates are coordinated by a staff from its Champaign, Illinois headquarters.

About Accessible Archives Inc.

Founded in 1990, Accessible Archives utilizes computer technology to provide vast quantities of archived historical information previously available only in microformat. Diverse primary source materials reflecting broad views across American history and culture have been assembled into comprehensive databases. Developed by dedicated instructors and students of Americana, these databases allow access to the rich store of materials from leading books and periodicals then current. Accessible Archives will continue to add titles covering important topics and time periods to assist scholars and students at all academic levels. Accessible Archives has retained Unlimited Priorities Corporation as its exclusive sales and marketing agent.

About Unlimited Priorities

Unlimited Priorities is attuned to the management requirements of companies in the information industry. We provide executive level support services by utilizing a highly skilled group of professionals with abundant experience in sales, marketing, finance, operations, production, IT and training. Unlimited Priorities believes that sales and marketing effectiveness combined with operational excellence are the keys to successful market penetration and growth. By coordinating our talents with your team’s knowledge and experience, we can help you build your business and attain your goals in an efficient and cost effective manner.