Distribution of the MIT Faculty and Staff Directory and the Student Directory through the 36 Distributed Mail Centers (DMCs) is now underway.
Based on the head count in the areas served by each local DMC, the Communications Office will leave an appropriate number of directories there for pickup. That office again asks for the support of the community to ensure a fair distribution of directories. Those who pick up mail should take only enough directory copies to meet each office's needs.
Deliveries of student directories will be made to all residences on campus. Fraternity and sorority members may pick up copies in Rm W20-549. Other students who live off campus may get copies in the Information Center in Rm 7-121 (ID must be presented).
Anyone who needs extra copies of either directory may send e-mail to the Communications Office at communications@mit.edu after November 1, specifying the extra quantities required.
Permanent phone book and catalogue recycling is available at drop-off sites located in Rm 56-086 and Rm E19-006. The MIT community is welcome to bring their material to these locations. Please use the containers labeled "Phone Books."
Tim Blackburn and Chris Reese of the Publishing Services Bureau designed this year's directory covers, which feature images from the MIT Libraries. The founding philosophy for the MIT Libraries was to place their resources close to departments and laboratories. MIT President Francis Walker wrote in 1893 that "books are tools for handy use; just as much so as the apparatus of the chemical or physical laboratories." In keeping with this idea, the Libraries were developed as a decentralized system of five large divisional libraries and five smaller branch libraries.
The Institute Archives and Special Collections preserve the historical records of MIT and the personal papers of many faculty. The Libraries now also negotiate license agreements to provide information in digital form, while continuing to acquire print materials and to provide common spaces for students to meet and study.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on October 27, 1999.
