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Disasters—whether caused by storms, burst pipes, or human error—can wreak havoc on cultural collections in an instant. The key to minimizing loss isn’t just how fast you respond, but how well you’re prepared. That’s the core message of DHPSNY’s Salvage Workshops. Designed for libraries, archives, historical societies, museums, and any stewards of cultural heritage collections, this hands-on, scenario-based training gives professionals and volunteers the tools they need to respond…

Maintaining a clean and safe environment for archival collections is essential for preservation. However, not all cleaning methods are equally suitable for every situation. A common question is determining when to dust versus when to vacuum. This blog post explores the differences between these methods, their appropriate applications, and how to make informed decisions to protect and preserve valuable artifacts. 
 

Why Is Dust Harmful to Archival Collections? 

Dust is more than just an aesthetic issue; it poses real risks to the preservation of archival…

In our most recent webinar, DHPSNY's Preservation Specialist, Kate Jacus, provides a comprehensive overview of strategies for planning and installing exhibits of archival collections while prioritizing their long-term preservation. Preservation in Exhibits is an updated version of a webinar presented by DHPSNY staff in 2018, where participants learned how to select preservation-quality materials, design display environments that minimize risk to fragile items, and implement best practices for handling and showcasing archival materials.

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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…