Announcement posted by request.

--Moderator, NYHIST-L

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Grant Awarded for Statewide Survey of Preservation Needs

The New York State Education Department Office of Cultural Education
(OCE), which includes the New York State Archives, State Library, and
State Museum, has been awarded a CONNECTING TO COLLECTIONS:  STATEWIDE
PLANNING GRANT from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  
Under the program, the institutions will survey and create a plan to
address preservation and conservation needs of New York’s cultural
institutions statewide.  The survey will result in a statewide action
plan that will set the course of preservation and conservation efforts
in New York State for years to come.

"The project in New York represents movement toward collaborative
thinking among collection-holding institutions that have a strong
commitment to collections stewardship," said Anne-Imelda Radice, IMLS
Director. "IMLS funding will assist these relationships in blossoming
into powerful alliances that will serve collections and the people who
use them for years to come."

OCE will work with partners and expert advisors on survey development,
content, and distribution.  Partners include the New York State Council
on the Arts, Lower Hudson Conference, Museum Association of New York,
New York Archives Conference, New York Library Association, and Upstate
History Alliance.  Tom Clareson of PALINET will work as consultant to
the project to develop survey content, data collection, analyses, and
the final report.  PALINET is a cooperative membership organization
representing hundreds of libraries, information centers, museums,
archives, and other similar organizations nationwide that promotes
cooperation and resource sharing. 

The survey is expected to be distributed to libraries, museums,
archives and other cultural institutions throughout New York State in
September 2008.  Regional survey assistance sessions to help
institutions work with the survey will be announced.  The final report
is expected to be released in September 2009 and will provide a
blueprint for future preservation efforts. 
 
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.  
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov or contact Jeannine Mjoseth at
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Judy P. Hohmann
Director of Public Programs and Outreach
New York State Archives
9B52 Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Phone: (518) 473-9098
Fax: (518) 473-9987