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When it comes to handling cultural heritage objects, few topics spark as much debate as the use of gloves. Should you wear them? If so, which kind? If not, why? The answers to these questions are not as clear-cut as one might think. Recent research and conservation best practices have evolved, highlighting that the decision to wear gloves—or not—depends on a variety of factors, including the type of object, the risks involved, and even sustainability concerns.
 

The Evolution of Glove Use 

For many years, cotton gloves were considered the industry standard for…

We're pleased to announce our independent field reviewers have selected 13 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. 

The next Planning & Assessment Services application deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. Visit our Planning & Assessment page to learn more and apply.

Each year, DHPSNY Dialogues bring cultural heritage professionals together to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities shaping our field. In 2025, our series focuses on Collections for the Future of New York, asking: What can we, as practitioners—both paid and volunteer—do to build and steward collections for the communities of tomorrow? 

 As part of our ongoing Antiracism Resources blog series, we’re continuing these conversations…

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. 

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We're excited to announce that we are accepting applications for DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. 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.

We are accepting…

What songs were on your Spotify Wrapped for 2024? Wrapped is the annual compilation of the five artists, songs, and genres that users listened to the most on music streaming platform Spotify throughout the previous year. As we eagerly awaited our results, we also thought it would be fun to do a DHPS Tips Wrapped. Here are the top five six songs blog posts that got the most listens reads.  

1. Sticking to the Budget 

DHPS Tips: Emergency Supplies on a…

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to New York State’s cultural heritage community. Your dedication to preserving and sharing the state’s archival collections and library research materials has been a constant source of inspiration for us. Together, we’ve achieved so much this year, and we’re excited to continue this important work with you in 2025.

We're proud to share this year’s issue of DHPSNY News, spotlighting the programs, services, and stories that defined 2024. Inside, you’ll find highlights from…

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.…