The Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts is one of the nation’s premiere scholarly collections in American history and literature.  Since 2011, it has been virtually closed to scholars as the Museum has undergone extensive renovation.  The Peabody Essex Museum has moved most of the collection to the town of Rowley, 16 miles from Salem, and has presented plans to the city of Salem to keep the collection off-site permanently.

Because of public and scholarly concern about this move, the Peabody Essex Museum will convene a public meeting on Thursday, January 11, at 6 p.m. in the Morse Auditorium, 161 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts to present their long-term plans for the Phillips Library.