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To increase the knowledge of the histories and cultures of this extraordinarily diverse state, the New York State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) is committed to supporting the collection, preservation, and accessibility of historical records documenting the life experiences of all New Yorkers. As part of this effort, the NY SHRAB has published a statement of principles that aim to assess and address the impact of systemic racism on the historical records community and associated professions in New York State. …

Documenting marginalized communities in New York State is a complicated undertaking that requires careful planning, an openness to meaningful collaboration, and an understanding that successful documentation is more than collection development and acquisition. The Buffalo East Side History Project is an outstanding example of this balance, a collaboration between the University at Buffalo Center for Urban Studies and the Buffalo State College Butler Library…

For the past few months, we've shared and summarized specific resources that relate to antiracism work across all aspects of archives, museums, and libraries. In today's post, we hope to broaden the scope and showcase some of the wider organizations that have compiled excellent resources and are working to expand the conversation. These encompass everything from structured syllabi to crowd-sourced lists. Professional organizations and local professional networks are also great resources to turn to when seeking additional information. For those looking to expand their reading list, here are…

DHPSNY is happy to share the Fall 2020 issue of DHPSNY News, our annual publication, chronicling the DHPSNY team's adventures delivering free programs and services in the Empire State. Take a look at our recap of the past year, including our Planning & Assessment Services, education programs, and more!

As we close out 2020, the DHPSNY team is working hard to make sure our next year is even better. Keep an eye out for new programming and services coming in 2021! Our newsletter, social media pages, and website will…

Last week, we departed from our usual webinar format to hear firsthand how staff from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Library battled a tenacious mold outbreak in their collections. Recounting challenges posed by building infrastructure, unforeseen staff shortages, inclement weather, and later, the COVID-19 pandemic, RPI’s Tammy Gobert, Preservation and Access Archivist, and Jenifer Monger, Assistant Institute Archivist, recounted their experiences with humor and humility, sharing insights and lessons learned along the way.

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Recently, the Antiracism Resources series discussed resources for building a diverse workforce. In tandem with those goals is the need to create workplaces that actively support diversity and inclusion. 

Released this past July, the second edition of The Time’s Up Guide to Equity and Inclusion During Crisis takes into account changes brought on by…

In last week’s webinar Conducting a Basic Inventory, DHPSNY Archives Specialist Kate Philipson discussed the process and principles for carrying out a basic inventory for archival, library, or museum collections. She thoroughly examined several important questions, including “What is an archival inventory?”; “Why would you want to conduct an inventory?”; “How do you approach such a big project?”; and “What are your next steps, when is it finished?.” This highly organized and accessible presentation is perfect for organizations new to collections management, as well and…

The recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others have sparked protests that are among the most sustained social justice movements in American history. Many collecting institutions are interested in documenting these demands for racial equity and justice and their impact on our country, state, and local communities. However, undertaking projects to document these and other social justice movements is not simply a matter of collection development. Effective documentation requires recognizing your organization’s history, privileges, and place in…

In our most recent live webinar Photographs in the Archive: Arranging and Describing Visual Materials, DHPSNY Preservation Specialist Amanda Murray discussed important considerations for successfully arranging and describing visual materials with the goals of gaining physical and intellectual control, as well as providing access points. She also touched on preservation considerations for visual materials and, at the end of the presentation, answered a stream of thoughtful questions from the audience.

Below are links to the recording and…

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 12:00 PM for Photographs in the Archive: Arranging and Describing Visual Materials, presented by DHPSNY Preservation Specialist Amanda Murray. Learn more and register below! 

As always, DHPSNY webinars are presented free of charge for New York institutions. Visit dhpsny.org/webinars for our full schedule of upcoming presentations and archive of past webinar recordings.

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