Message from the Librarian
Brethren, Sisters & Visitors:
I’m delighted to participate in this electronic endeavor, which has been long demanded. The Masonic orders have no secrets, but it must be admitted that Masonic ignorance abounds – for no viable excuse, whatsoever! It’s not popular to say, but the Craft is well established in the 21st Century – spread the word!
What is discovered on this site amounts to the “Rosetta Stone” of Freemasonry – the key to unlocking the past, in terms of “…. back to the future!” The key to the Craft’s success is to be found in its history; demanding an appropriate adjustment for the present – within obvious limits.
Most importantly, this electronic endeavor represents an opportunity for others to participate – with appropriate recognition. The Craft is commonly discovered to be an opportunity for titles and egos; as opposed to the primal hunger for a thing called “legacy.” That is what this site represents – a fabulous legacy of great minds and works, featuring such names as Anderson, Preston, Oliver, Mitchell, Gould, Mackey, Morris, McCoy – and so many more. Current names are wanted. The electronic library also means that these works can be easily translated into other languages. The electronic format also represents a resource for the sight impaired, with the ability to increase the text font size; or to deliver the information to the blind, via text-to-speech conversion. Possibly, the technology exists to electronically convert material such as this to quality audio-books on CD. Imagine listening to Mackey’s History of Freemasonry, while driving or flying cross-country!
Physically frail documents can be photographed and scanned. Voice-to-text conversion is another possibility for frail works, or handwritten records.
Beyond the educational value, this site represents an opportunity in modern day fellowship – the giving and sharing of intellectual treasures. Some of the works are discovered to be in an unfinished state – requiring further editing, so as to bring them up to a “Near-Perfect” reproduction. Who wants to participate?
In an ideal world, the spectrum of Grand offices need to establish a “Scribe Award” program for scanning and editing efforts - with a lapel pin in the form of a quill, with a square & compasses (or other appropriate symbol) imposed on top of the quill.
There is no substitute for the physical books, which these files emulate. Yet, if one doesn’t know what’s contained in such volumes, why would they seek them out, at a library or bookstore? These files are an intellectual bridge to the hard-copy which they represent. Libraries, and bookstores will gain from the presentations of this site – as will those who read and study them.
Such sites as this will also be the spring-board for new Masonic books, non-fiction and fiction alike.
In the 21st Century, the Research Lodges are mandated to change course, as well. Their work just got easier; their works are more easily transmitted to their intended audiences, the demand for the consequent work (opportunity) increases dramatically.
The traditional Masonic libraries are also destined to change their format; a system of electronic research stations is demanded, to accommodate the electronic research of copyright protected work. Such libraries should be places of reading, study and research; not simply book repositories.
Success begets emulation, if not greater success. For the moment, it starts here.
Sincerely and Fraternally yours,
Ralph W. Omholt, PM
