Blog

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:…

Your safety and well-being is our highest priority as we respond to COVID-19 and its effects on New York communities. Although many of our events and services must be canceled, postponed, or moved online, please know that the DHPSNY team is here for you—more than ever, during this uncertain time, we hope our services, resources, and community can offer inspiration, connection, guidance, and hope. 

In an effort to do as such, we are working to develop additional programming opportunities and creating an aggregation of professional development and work-from-home resources.…

DHPSNY Archives Specialist Kate Philipson gave a compelling case for utilizing processing plans in last week’s presentation The Process of Processing: Creating and Implementing Processing Plans. After giving an overview of archival processing, Kate explained what a processing plan is, why you should want to create one, and how to approach writing your own. She also answered a lot of thoughtful questions from the audience and provided a wealth of additional resources.

Click here to view the recording.

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We are sharing the following guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding public gatherings, public spaces and private sector organizations in order to keep the community of NYS collecting institutions informed about efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate this is a rapidly changing situation and will continue to provide relevant and accurate updates that impact our community.

Click here to view NYS Department of Health Guidance…

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our second webinar of 2020, Internal Advocacy! In last week’s presentation, CCAHA Director of Preservation Services Dyani Feige guided viewers through different routes of advocacy and strategies for collecting institution staff to secure time and funding for preservation initiatives and conservation treatment, including how to utilize collections in advocacy efforts. View the recording and download the slideshow at the links below as well as on our Webinars…

As we closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on New York communities, we will continue to accept applications for DHPSNY’s Planning & Assessment Services. To help offset recent disruptions to your schedule, the deadline to submit applications for our Spring 2020 Planning & Assessment Services Round has been EXTENDED to Friday, March 27.

DHPSNY staff, working remotely, are available to answer questions and to assist you with your…

DHPSNY has been closely monitoring the evolving situation around COVID-19 over the past week. Based on recommendations being set by state, federal, and international health organizations, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the following spring programs:

Essential Policies and Procedures for Collecting Institutions 

• Thursday, March 26, Niagara County Historical Society, Niagara County – Lockport, NY
• Friday, March 27, Rakow Research Library, The Corning Museum of…