In response to the comments by the Editor of MMD and Kevin McElhone,
their comments are appreciated. As to the suggestion of donating to
the MBSI, while that idea was given a lot of thought, the MBSI's lack
of an appropriate facility to maintain and preserve the collection and
appropriate staff to administer the collection renders this suggestion
non-viable.
As to the suggestion of a donation to the Nationaal Museum von Speelklok
tot Pierement in Utrecht, Holland, this thought has also been considered.
Part of the difficulty lies in that fact that the Nationaal Museum
will ultimately be receiving the Ord-Hume library so that there would
be a great overlap of the material existing in both collections.
Secondly, donating the collection outside the United States would limit
the access for research and use of those in the United States.
Lastly, I have always believed that the collection should be placed in
a location that allows comparative study of [printed] materials related
to both old and new technology.
Many people, I believe, would view such a comment as dictating placement
in a university or college, but I am reluctant to share the experience
of many donors who, having made the donation, see their collection
maintained in a manner limiting use and access.
I invite further comments and suggestions.
Kevin Kline
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