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00:00:30 The Othmer Library of Chemical History is the information arm of the Chemical Heritage Foundation,

00:00:54 which discovers and disseminates information about our chemical heritage,

00:00:58 encourages research, scholarship, and popular writing, publishes resource guides and historical materials,

00:01:06 conducts oral histories, creates traveling exhibits, and sponsors conferences and seminars.

00:01:15 The Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Library serves as an international information resource

00:01:22 for materials which tell the story of chemical achievement and of the men and women responsible.

00:01:29 The Othmer Library underpins the academic work of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for the History of Chemistry

00:01:36 and the outreach programs of the foundation by serving as an information repository, media resource center, and research facility.

00:01:47 The Chemical Heritage Foundation was founded in 1987 by the American Chemical Society

00:01:53 and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

00:01:57 The Chemical Heritage Foundation is also supported by numerous other chemical associations,

00:02:02 including the Chemist Club and the Societe du Chemie Industriel.

00:02:10 The Chemical Heritage Foundation was only a notion in the minds of a group of visionary chemical scientists

00:02:15 and historians in the early 1980s.

00:02:18 Today, it is blossoming into a national and international center for preserving and making known our chemical heritage

00:02:24 through a variety of academic and outreach programs.

00:02:28 The move to a larger building is a significant milestone for the long-range mission

00:02:33 of increased public understanding of the chemical sciences.

00:02:38 Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley are sites of significant developments in the chemical sciences

00:02:43 and the birthplace of many American chemical industries.

00:02:49 Independence National Park is an excellent location for the Othmer Library and for the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

00:02:56 There are several other important specialty libraries that will be neighbors.

00:03:00 The American Philosophical Society, the Annenberg Center, the Athenaeum, and the Balch Institute are all nearby.

00:03:10 Romanhas Headquarters is just two blocks to the west.

00:03:14 Fine Hotels and Three Bed and Breakfasts are within one block of the Othmer Library.

00:03:23 This map of Philadelphia shows how the center of the city

00:03:26 stretches between the Delaware River to the east and the Schuylkill River to the west.

00:03:32 Independence Park is on the east side of the city

00:03:35 between the major north-south street, Broad Street, and the Delaware River.

00:03:42 Looking closer at our new neighborhood, one can see how much open parkland there is

00:03:46 that connects these libraries just mentioned with the Othmer Library.

00:03:53 A five-minute walk around our neighborhood will take one past Independence Hall,

00:03:57 Congress Hall, Washington Square, the Liberty Bell,

00:04:03 the 18th Century Gardens of the Horticultural Society,

00:04:07 the First and the Second Banks of the United States,

00:04:11 the Visitor's Center for the National Park,

00:04:14 the Carpenter's Company, and Franklin Court.

00:04:20 This building, built in 1865 as the first National Bank,

00:04:24 will be renovated inside and outside into a very fine library building.

00:04:30 The original granite front is in excellent condition.

00:04:33 Its columns and its cornice are beautifully detailed.

00:04:37 The original entrance, covered with granite slabs, can be restored easily.

00:04:43 The tall 1953 addition is very well suited to serve as the main area

00:04:47 for stairs, elevators, and corridors.

00:04:51 The parking lot to the east can provide for future expansion of the Othmer Library.

00:04:58 Many of these buildings have not changed.

00:05:01 One of our most famous neighborhood chemists also has not changed.

00:05:06 Othmer, I welcome you and your distinguished colleagues to Oriana Street,

00:05:12 my own favorite way into my house and courtyard.

00:05:16 Now, as you can see, Oriana Street is a charming cobblestone footpath

00:05:21 beside this impressive new Othmer Library.

00:05:25 Millions of people come here now to see my post office, my printing press,

00:05:30 and the museum of some of my scientific ideas.

00:05:34 I was not able to spend nearly the time that I wanted on my own discoveries in chemistry

00:05:41 and my desires to develop chemical technology,

00:05:44 but it gives me tremendous satisfaction to know that your library

00:05:50 will be at the entrance to my home.

00:05:53 As poor Richard said, genius without education is like silver yet in the mine.

00:06:00 Can anything be more exciting than that?

00:06:06 I can assure you that the building you have bought for the Othmer Library

00:06:10 is solid, spacious, and well built.

00:06:14 I am sure that it will become the foremost educational and historical resource

00:06:19 of the chemical community.

00:06:22 This bold and visionary undertaking will be a source of inspiration to all.

00:06:28 You have created a very important library that will grow and grow.

00:06:35 I am so looking forward to our visits together

00:06:39 and most certainly to my visits to your library.

00:06:44 I am glad we had a chance to meet today because,

00:06:47 well, I happen to know that today is a very special day,

00:06:51 so many happy returns to you, my esteemed new neighbor

00:06:56 and good friend, Dr. Othmer.

00:07:21 © BF-WATCH TV 2021