Event Calendar
How do you decide what matters most when everything feels like a priority? This hands-on, full-day workshop introduces a practical framework for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks to cultural collections. Designed for staff and volunteers at collecting institutions of all sizes, the session breaks down the risk assessment process into approachable, actionable steps.
Participants will learn how to identify key agents of deterioration, assess vulnerability across different types of collections, and translate observations into meaningful preservation priorities. Through guided exercises and real-world scenarios, attendees will practice evaluating risks and making informed decisions about where to focus time and resources for the greatest impact.
By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with tools, templates, and a clearer strategy for protecting their collections—whether they are caring for a historic house, a small museum, or a community archive.
How do you decide what matters most when everything feels like a priority? This hands-on, full-day workshop introduces a practical framework for identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing risks to cultural collections. Designed for staff and volunteers at collecting institutions of all sizes, the session breaks down the risk assessment process into approachable, actionable steps.
Participants will learn how to identify key agents of deterioration, assess vulnerability across different types of collections, and translate observations into meaningful preservation priorities. Through guided exercises and real-world scenarios, attendees will practice evaluating risks and making informed decisions about where to focus time and resources for the greatest impact.
By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with tools, templates, and a clearer strategy for protecting their collections—whether they are caring for a historic house, a small museum, or a community archive.
This one-hour webinar offers a concise introduction to risk assessment for cultural collections. Participants will learn the basics of identifying and prioritizing risks, with a focus on practical approaches that can be applied immediately.
This session provides an overview of key concepts, including common sources of damage, how to think about vulnerability, and how risk assessment can support better decision-making in collections care. Ideal for those new to the topic or looking for a refresher, the webinar offers a clear starting point for developing a more proactive preservation strategy.
Policies and procedures are essential tools for managing and caring for collections, but getting started can feel overwhelming. This webinar provides a practical introduction to the core documents collecting institutions need, including collection management policies and day-to-day procedures that support consistent decision-making. Participants will learn what these documents typically include, how they function in real-world settings, and how to approach drafting them in manageable steps. The session focuses on clear, usable language and realistic approaches that reflect the capacity of small to mid-sized institutions. By the end of the webinar, participants will have a better understanding of where to begin and how to move forward with developing or refining policies and procedures at their own organization.
This workshop covers best practices for safely handling and preparing collection materials for digitization. Participants will learn how to assess materials prior to digitization, identify common risks, and apply appropriate handling techniques for photographs, paper-based materials, and bound volumes. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, the workshop emphasizes how proper handling supports both preservation and access goals. By the end of the session, participants will have practical skills to reduce damage during digitization and improve the quality and consistency of digital outputs.
The session will also introduce practical approaches to planning digitization projects, providing an opportunity for participants to discuss their own projects and share strategies with peers. A dedicated segment highlights New York–specific digitization resources, including statewide platforms and regional support networks.
This informational webinar provides an overview of the NYS Discretionary Grant Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials. This program serves as a key funding source for collecting institutions across the state to reach preservation goals. Participants will learn about eligibility requirements, the types of projects that can be supported, and what to expect during the application process. The session is designed to help institutions prepare for the upcoming grant cycle and provide guidance to support early planning and stronger applications. Whether you are considering applying for the first time or looking to refine a previous application, this webinar will help you better understand how to approach the C/P Grants program with confidence.
As grant funds become harder to secure, creating compelling grant narratives that sell your organization has never been more important. Join professional writer Lori Litchman for an informative webinar featuring tips to strengthen your grant proposals through storytelling and strong writing practices.
Metadata plays a critical role in making collections discoverable, understandable, and usable, but knowing where to start can be challenging. This webinar provides a clear, practical introduction to foundational metadata concepts for collecting institutions. Participants will learn about common types of metadata, essential elements for describing materials, and approaches to file naming, controlled vocabularies, and basic schema use, including Dublin Core. The session will also introduce key considerations for rights statements, interoperability, and how metadata functions across systems and platforms. Designed for small and mid-sized organizations, this webinar emphasizes manageable, scalable approaches and real-world application.
Pests pose a significant risk to collection materials, but effective management does not require complex systems or specialized training. This webinar introduces the core principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cultural heritage collections, with a focus on prevention, monitoring, identification, and response. Participants will learn how to recognize common signs of pest activity, implement basic monitoring strategies, and take practical steps to reduce risk in storage and exhibit spaces. The session emphasizes realistic, scalable approaches appropriate for small and mid-sized institutions. By the end of the webinar, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to establish or strengthen an IPM program using manageable, low-cost strategies.