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This year's DHPSNY Antiracism Programming takes inspiration from two key resources: the AASLH Making History at 250 Field Guide and the New York State 250th Field Guide. Our guiding question: How do we make our collecting organizations interdisciplinary and representative of the realities of our many New York histories…

Winter in New York State brings unique challenges to the preservation of paper and photographic collections. While cozy fires and snowy landscapes may be picturesque, the cold season poses significant risks to these delicate materials due to fluctuating environmental conditions, increased reliance on heating systems, and seasonal hazards like water leaks. This post delves into these risks and provides strategies to mitigate them, ensuring your collections stay safe through winter’s chill. 
 

Environmental Fluctuations …

We’re approaching the finish line for 2024 Planning & Assessment Services, but there’s still time to complete an application for the final round of the year! To be considered for the fall review period, be sure to submit your application by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, November 22. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by January 2025.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help! You can contact us at info@dhpsny.…

This year's DHPSNY Antiracism Programming takes inspiration from two key resources: the AASLH Making History at 250 Field Guide and the New York State 250th Field Guide. Our guiding question: How do we make our collecting organizations interdisciplinary and representative of the realities of our many New York histories?

In September, DHPSNY presented …

The Joanine Library at the University of Coimbra in Portugal houses almost 60,000 volumes—and a colony of bats that keep harmful insects at bay:

“In the daytime—as scholars lean over historic works and visitors admire the architecture—the bats roost quietly behind the two-story bookshelves. At night, they swoop around the darkened building, eating the beetles and moths that would otherwise do a number on all that old paper and binding glue.” - Atlas…

We're excited to announce that we are accepting applications for DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, November 22, 2024. Offered free of cost to New York State collecting institutions, Planning & Assessment Services pair accepted sites with our specialists to assess preservation practices, create customized recommendations, and develop actionable plans tailored to each organization's specific needs. Final…

Successful digital preservation programs go beyond just technical solutions. Effective planning and documentation are key to ensuring long-term preservation of digital content. In our most recent DHPSNY webinar, Digital Preservation Planning, presenter Jennifer Palmentiero, Digital Services Manager at the Southeastern New York Library Resources Council, guided participants through the essential first steps of establishing a digital preservation program. Jennifer shared valuable insights on how to assess an organization's digital preservation needs, develop a digital asset…

We concluded our summer 2024 Planning & Assessment Services application review period this past July, and we're pleased to announce our independent field reviewers have selected 16 institutions to receive DHPSNY services.

We commend the following organizations for their dedication to enhancing their preservation programs and practices and look forward to beginning site visits in the coming weeks.

Read the…

Welcome to Behind the Lens, where we offer an inside look at DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services. Through this series, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of our assessment process and outcomes, with first-hand accounts from participating sites sharing their personal experiences. If you’re interested in learning more about previous Behind the Lens posts, see how we kicked things off with a spotlight on Preservation Surveys.

In this edition, we turn our focus to…

A regular housekeeping program is essential to the preservation of the collections. Maintaining clean conditions is important for long-term collections care and for good emergency preparedness. Dust, dirt, and debris cannot only accumulate and cause damage to collection items but can also potentially complicate collections salvage operations. When materials are handled, dust and dirt will stain and abrade papers and books. If there is a disaster, such as a water leak, the recovery will be complicated by the presence of dust and dirt. 

As with housing materials, it’s important…