C&RL News, March 2008
Vol. 69, No. 3
by Jane Hedberg
Grants for preservation
The Library of Congress and the Foundation Center have jointly published Foundation Grants for Preservation in Libraries, Archives and Museums. This 118-page online document lists 1,725 grants of $5,000 or more given by 474 foundations between 2003 and 2007. The primary listing is arranged by location of the foundation and includes name, focus of and limitations on giving, grant recipient name, plus size and purpose of the grant. There is also an alphabetical listing by foundation name, indexes by recipient, location of recipient, subject, and a statistical analysis of the grants awarded. Links extend the content to more detailed descriptions of the foundations, grantwriting tutorials, and guidance about applying for preservation grants.
Foundation Grants is available as a free PDF at www.loc.gov/preserv/foundtn-grants.html.
IMLS “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf”
The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) developed the “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf” to assist museums, libraries, and archives with preserving their collections. It is a compilation of core books, DVDs, and online resources about caring for many types of objects and materials. The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is giving away 2,000 sets of the Bookshelf on behalf of IMLS. Nonprofit cultural institutions may apply to receive a free set between March 1 and April 30, 2008.
In addition, Heritage Preservation has developed a 44-page online user guide to the contents of the “Bookshelf.” This Guide to Online Resources is an annotated bibliography divided into six sections: Manage a Collection, Manage the Collections Environment, Care for Collections, Prepare for and Respond to Emergencies, Increase Support for Collections Care, and Learn More About Collections Care.
To learn more about applying for a free set of the “Bookshelf,” go to www.imls.gov/collections/bookshelf/index.htm. The guide is available as a free PDF at www.imls.gov/collections/resources/index.htm.
Saving local treasures
Net Television (Nebraska’s PBS station)— with the support of IMLS, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Nebraska State Historical Society, and Nebraska Library Commission—has produced a television program and a Web site called “Saving Nebraska’s Treasures.” Both provide information about what anyone can do to protect and preserve the objects that are of importance in their lives. In addition to a Web stream of the complete television program, the Web site contains information about six preservation principles (identification, protection, display, storage, management, and preservation), seven categories of materials (ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, paper, painting, other), and thirteen types of objects (books, photographs, art, newspaper, furniture, firearms, textiles, toys, tools, dishware, jewelry, Native American items, and natural history specimens). There are also short instructional videos and a quick information section.
The URL for “Saving Nebraska’s Treasures” is www.netnebraska.org/extras/treasures/index.htm.
CCAHA workshops
The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is offering “Managing and Preserving Archival Collections” on April 17–18, 2008, in Baltimore, and “Preparing for the Unexpected: Protection and Security for Cultural Collections” on May 12–13, 2008, in Philadelphia.
For more information, go to www.ccaha.org or call (215) 545-0163.