Shell museum, Sanibel library partner on project
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium’s partnership with the Sanibel Public Library continues as library staff are reorganizing the books in its Margaret Thorsen Library.
The museum reported that staffers Matt Gindling, Eden Sherman and Shelby Stuebner are working on its library, which includes a collection of scientific and popular books, scientific journals and shell club newsletters from around the world. Most of the holdings are available for inter-library loan through the OCLS WorldCat system and the Sanibel library, which hosts the holdings online.
“The Sanibel Public Library enjoys assisting the shell museum in providing accessibility to all who are interested in the study, research and understanding of the seashells of Sanibel and the world,” Sherman, circulation & interlibrary loan services coordinator, said. “We are proud to be part of the effort to reopen this vital resource for our community.”
The museum reported that the support provided by the library goes back a long way. In the 1990s, the library assumed the task of updating the museum’s library catalog, which was created thanks to a grant from the Southwest Florida Library Network. For many years, reference librarian Candy Heise was one of the most active museum library volunteers, working on one of her free days with Sanibelian Cindy Timm to update, organize and catalog the museum holdings.
“The museum is so appreciative of the Sanibel Public Library staff’s work and collaboration,” museum Executive Director Sam Ankerson said. “They are getting a valuable public resource back in shape at the museum, and we are glad to help as we can with their beautiful shell exhibits.”
Museum members receive in-person access to its Margaret Thorsen Library.
For more information, visit ShellMuseum.org/membership.
To reach BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM & AQUARIUM, please email