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August traditionally means back-to-school shopping, and even in our digital world, pencils are a common school supply for kids. In archives, libraries, and other collecting institutions, having a stash of pencils is not limited to a particular time of year! They are in use constantly as one of the most important tools for working with collections.  

There are several reasons pencils are preferable to pens in any setting where you are working on, with, or near collections. As it states in the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) …

Remember how hot it was in April? While that month in our state is not known for its amazing weather, this year there were a few days when the temperatures climbed into the 80s and 90s (°F).  

Notwithstanding the larger climate change implications for…

If your institution has experienced flooding, there are a number of organizations and resources that can provide help. For immediate assistance, contact the CCAHA 24/7 Disaster Hotline at (215) 545-0613, the New York State Archives at (518) 474-6926, or Barbara Lilley at the State Library at (518) 486-4864.

Act Swiftly: When a flood occurs, time is of the essence. Respond quickly to minimize the damage:

• Ensure the safety of staff and visitors before attending to collections.
• Turn off electricity to prevent electrical hazards…

We concluded our spring Planning & Assessment Services application round this past March, and the response was amazing! From a competitive pool of applicants, our independent field reviewers selected 15 collecting organizations to receive free Archival Needs Assessments, Preservation Surveys, and Strategic Planning Assistance. We also extend heartfelt congratulations to our new cohort of sites selected for Foundational Planning Assistance.

Click here to read the…

Applications are open for DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, July 7, 2023. Conducted in-person or virtually, each DHPSNY service aims to improve adherence to preservation best practices and can be utilized to obtain additional funding, increase the accessibility and use of your collections, and more.

We are accepting application materials for the following services to be considered for the summer 2023 application review period:

• …

Welcome to our blog series on preservation tips, tailored specifically for collecting institutions dedicated to safeguarding our shared cultural heritage. In this series, we will delve into the essential strategies, best practices, and innovative approaches that institutions and individuals alike can adopt to ensure the long-term preservation of documents, photographs, and other artifacts. We hope this series will provide invaluable insights and practical guidance to help protect and maintain your collections and enhance your preservation efforts.

Today’s post focuses…

This month, in conjunction with DHPSNY, Aria and her co-facilitators explored the relationships between non-Native-led museums, archives and libraries, and contemporary Native makers, artists, academics, and researchers. Aria, Viridiana Garcia Choy, and William Walker used the case study of the Día de los Muertos Program, coordinated by the Cooperstown Graduate Program, the Mexican-American community in Otsego County, and the Village Library of Cooperstown as a concrete example of how to successfully do this work.

The DHPSNY…

Identifying collections materials that are priorities for salvage is an important part of an organization’s emergency preparedness and response plan. Often in an emergency, we cannot save it all, and decisions will have to be made. But how do we go about choosing what items to save first? This can seem like a daunting task, but by establishing guidelines and planning, collection salvage priorities can become not-so-impossible choices. In Not-So-Impossible Choices: Determining Priorities for Collection Salvage, we looked at what makes collections most vulnerable to…

Are you in need of preservation guidance, but aren’t sure where to turn? Or perhaps you simply prefer the personal touch of a conversation? Look no further — DHPSNY has got you covered! 

Starting this month, DHPSNY will be providing a convenient solution for New York State-based collecting organizations seeking preservation-related assistance. Whether you have burning questions or require expert advice, this program aims to connect you with our dedicated team of professionals to help assist with your preservation efforts.

The inaugural session of our remote…

We're excited to announce that applications are open for DHPSNY Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, July 7, 2023! Conducted in-person or virtually, each DHPSNY service aims to improve adherence to preservation best practices and can be utilized to obtain additional funding, increase the accessibility and use of your collections, and more.

We are accepting application materials for the following services to be considered for the summer 2023 application…