Public Printer Visits the American Antiquarian Society

The Public Printer of the United States visited the state of Massachusetts in early December. First up on his visit was a trip to the American Antiquarian Society (AAS) in Worchester, MA. The AAS was the first designated depository library in the United States, getting special attention in 44 USC § 1908, which specified that certain government publications should be deposited in the AAS. That was back in 1814; 195 years later they continue to receive FDLP material.

Mr. Tapella visited with Ellen Dunlap, President of AAS, David Whitesell, Curator of Books, Thomas Knoles, and Marcus A. McCorison Librarian (pictured with portrait of founder Isaiah Thomas). During the visit the Public Printer learned about the founder of the AAS, Isaiah Thomas, and about the collections and programs of the AAS. The library's collections document the life of America's people from the colonial era through the Civil War and Reconstruction. To learn more about the origins and holdings of this specialized research library, visit their Web site.