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Academy Librarian Q & A

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Eadweard Muybridge's Attitudes of Animals in Motion
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Scores of film fans went to our Facebook page on Friday to find out the inside scoop on the Margaret Herrick Library and the lucky people who work there. Here are just a few examples of the questions and answers that were exhanged.

Carlota Silvanna: I'd like to know which is the rarest kind of book or document the library owns. Thank you smile emoticon

The Academy: One of the oldest items in our collection is Eadweard Muybridge's "Attitudes of Animals in Motion: A Series of Photographs Illustrating The Positions Assumed in Performing Various Movements". Published in 1878, it is believed to be one of only nine in existence. Above is an image from our copy.

Kathryn Mudgway: What are some of your favorite gems in the library that you wished people knew more about?

The Academy: From our Archive Team --The Academy Film Archive is home to the largest known collection of trailers on film (over 60,000 items!) and within this acquisition are rare and interesting drive-in theatre advertisements such as this one that includes pizza, popcorn, kittens, and puppies (no really, it does). From Our Library Team -- There are many amazing things in the library's collection. Some of our favorites are these personal scrapbooks from the costume designer Irene.

Kevin Walters: I am currently a Film Studies major at UC Davis. I will be graduating in the spring and would very much like to put my passion for film history, preservation, and education to work at the Academy. Any advice on how proceed? Thank you.

The Academy: Internship and job opportunities at the Academy are listed on our website.

Ronnie Gutierrez: Is one able to purchase DVDs of airings of the Academy Awards?

The Academy: Many of the previous Academy Awards ceremonies are available to view (for free!) on our YouTube page. While you’re there, you can also check out digitized materials from the Archive.

Gabriela Palma: What's the best or favorite story of the archivist?

The Academy: The Archive recently received a phone call directly from a movie set when the production crew came across a reel of nitrate film (an extremely flammable film stock) and someone on set recommended calling the experts at the Academy! We’re very glad thatthey did because the reel contained home movies shot in Los Angeles circa 1929-1933. The film was preserved and the original reel is now safely housed in our nitrate vaults. To find out more about the Archive’s extensive home movie collection, click here.

Click here to see all of the questions and answers