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Back in July, DHPSNY and antiracism program partner Aria Strategies co-presented a facilitated dialogue to talk and learn about effective strategies for describing our organization’s collections. So many of our object descriptions, exhibit labels, and metadata center the experiences and perspectives of white museum, library and archive volunteers and professionals. How, then, can we navigate a shift to centering the perspectives, knowledge, and understanding of directly impacted groups of people? 

In this dialogue participants were encouraged to think broadly about the ways…

Are you someone who is passionate about preserving and managing archival collections? Do you find yourself in a role that involves working with archives, but lack formal training in the field? Or perhaps you're simply looking to refresh your knowledge of archival management basics? If any of these descriptions resonate with you, we have an exciting opportunity you won't want to miss!

For the third year in a row, we will be presenting our Archives 101 online course. Archives 101 is a 3-week, asynchronous course intended for individuals who manage cultural collections, with a focus on…

We're excited to introduce the DHPS Tips How To video series, a companion to our educational DHPS Tips blog series. In short (under two-minute), hands-on instructional videos, we'll delve into essential strategies, best practices, and innovative techniques that both institutions and individuals can embrace.

The inaugural video in this series, Use an Archival Spacer, sheds light on a fundamental technique of  safely storing items in an archival document box. Even if they are in folders, papers in a document box can…

We're excited to announce a new round of the DHPSNY Mentorship Program. The current application is for cohorts that will meet from September – November 2023. Applications for this round must be submitted by Friday, August 25, 2023.

The DHPSNY Mentorship Program is designed to create a community that supports those who care for the unique library research materials and archival collections in the state, including volunteers, interns, students, and both emerging and seasoned professionals. Unlike the traditional one-on-one mentorship…

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…