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In the most important stage of the Statewide Documentation Planning project, we’ve invited the historical records community to engage with us in conversations on local history in order to identify under-documented topics and peoples in New York State history. So far, we’ve held three virtual conversations that have provided us with invaluable insight from individuals in the Capital District, Western NY, and Northern NY. Before we pick back up with live sessions in early June, we’re moving the conversation online to the DHPSNY Community Facebook group!

Starting this Monday,…

The DHPSNY Mentorship Program establishes mentorship circles to serve individuals currently caring for historical records and unique library research collections or pursing an MLIS degree in the state of New York. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, DHPSNY is working to create a space for individuals to meet virtually in small groups based on current needs and interests. 

These cohorts are open to individuals at all points in their career, including students, new and emerging professionals, established practitioners,…

In the second presentation of our “Common Collection Conditions” series, Assessing the Condition of Your Book Collections, presenter Amber Hares, Book Conservator at the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, discussed how to identify common condition problems found in book collections and how to prioritize collection items based on the urgency of conservation needs. To aid participants' understanding of the factors that affect the long-term preservation, her presentation included overviews of book anatomy, materials, and book-making processes…

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unsettling event in the history of New York State. DHPSNY, the New York State Archives, and the New York State Library recognize the gravity of the situation and want members of the historic records community to prioritize their individual safety and public health in general. We also recognize that a number of organizations have begun working on projects to document the impact of the pandemic on their communities.

If you have started, or are considering undertaking such a project we want to hear from you! Send an email to …

For the latest chat in our ongoing Q&A series, we caught up with Leslie Hoffman, Historian at Saranac Village at Will Rogers, home of the National Vaudeville Artists Lodge / Will Rogers Memorial Hospital in Saranac Lake, NY (Clinton County). Since we last spoke, the history of the Will Rogers, formerly a tuberculosis hospital built to treat America's Vaudeville stars, has taken on new significance as the world copes with a new respiratory illness and an uncertain path to a new normal. Designed to promote recovery from the disease, while also allowing…

Maria Holden, Preservation Officer at the NYS Office of Cultural Education, gave a thorough and information overview of space planning for collecting institutions in last week’s webinar Space Planning: Getting Started. She discussed strategies for making the most of available storage space as well as the best practices and current standards for housing and storing institutional collections. Specifically, she shared an approach to space planning based on functions and the importance of keeping collection storage, access, and work areas functionally separate. She also…

Next week, DHPSNY will be conducting the first two of three upcoming Conversations on Local History to take place online. Join us on Tuesday, April 21 at 2:00 PM for the Capital District Conversation and on Thursday, April 23rd at 10:00 AM for the Western New York Conversation.

These virtual Conversations will focus on their designated regions of New York State in order to facilitate discussion, but individuals from other regions are welcome to attend any Conversation. In order to send the correct Zoom Meeting…

We are excited to introduce the DHPSNY COVID-19 Information Aggregate, a weekly updated collection of resources to support New York's collecting institutions. To help institutions navigate this period of uncertainty, this collection tracks an array of the best sources around, including newly accessible on-demand learning opportunities, funding for cultural institutions, and the latest updates from local, state, federal, and international leaders in the field.

Please…

If you missed last week's webinar Common Collection Conditions: Assessing the Condition of Your Paper-Based Collections, the recording is now available to view below as well as on our Webinars page and YouTube channel. In this popular presentation, CCAHA Senior Paper Conservator Heather Hendry discussed common factors that affect paper collections as well as how prioritize items by level of concern to allow caretakers to allocate resources within an overall preservation plan.

Click here to view the recording.

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In light of COVID-19, DHSPNY and NYCON are working to pivot the upcoming Conversations on Local History to be hosted online. We are appreciative of the positive response so far, from those who have registered, expressed interest, and submitted comments or questions regarding the accessibility of the regional schedule.

The key change is that the Capital District, Western New York, and Northern New York Conversations will be conducted online via Zoom on following dates:…