an update on the connecting to collections initiative in the western states
DESCRIPTION
Since its introduction through a national summit in 2007, the Institute of Museum and Library Services Connecting to Collections initiative has developed a bookshelf, organized a series of forums, developed an online community, and funded statewide planning and implementation grants to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for our treasures - underscoring the fact that these collections are essential to the American story. Join representatives leading statewide efforts to learn more about program development in the western states.TRANSCRIPT
An Update on the Connecting to Collections Initiative
in the Western States
Western Museums Association Annual Meeting
Palm Springs, California
October 23, 2012
Our Presenters Today
Connie BodnerSupervisory Grants Management
SpecialistIMLS
Washington DC
Kara WestAssistant Director for Field
ServicesBalboa Art Conservation Center
San Diego CA
Eric TaylorHeritage Lead
4CultureSeattle WA
Keni SturgeonCurator and Museum DirectorWillamette Heritage Center
Salem OR
Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action
Heritage Health Index, 2005
Four challenges
– Safe conditions for collections
– Emergency plans
– Training
– Strengthen commitment to supporting collections care
Connecting to Collections Elements
• National Conservation Summit, 2007
• Four themed forums, 2008-2009
• Two Raising the Bar Workshops, 2010
• The Bookshelf Project
• Statewide Planning Grants, 2009-2011
• Statewide Implementation Grants, 2010-2012
• Continuing Conversation Exchange, 2011-2012
Connecting to Collections Funding
Office of Museum Services, 2006-2012
• 1,124 awards for collections care and conservation • $23 million to organizations in all 59 states, territories,
and commonwealths
Connecting to Collections Resources
Guide to Online Resourceshttp://www.imls.gov/collections/guide_to_online_resources.aspx
C2C Online Community
http://www.connectingtocollections.org/
Eric TaylorHeritage Lead
4CultureSeattle WA
Keni SturgeonCurator and Museum DirectorWillamette Heritage Center
Salem OR
Oregon
Connecting to Collections
(OR C2C)
Umpqua River Lighthouse; Beaver Brand Oregon Prunes label from the Oregon State Archives; an artifact at Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Park
Oregon C2C Partners
Northwest Archivists
Oregon Heritage Commission
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Library Association
Oregon Museums Association
Oregon State Archives
Oregon State Library
Tamaśtslikt Cultural Institute
Connecting to Collections
What
A national initiative
raise public awareness of the importance of caring for our treasure
Underscore that these treasures are essential to the American story
How
An IMLS grant that supports assessment of preservation and disaster response training, collection care and support based on the Heritage Health Index
Oregon C2C Call to Action!
Needs Assessment and Planning
Develop collaborative relationships
Nurture collective advocacy
Connecting to Collections
Project: Needs
Assessment
Report
What Archival, Library, and
Museum Personnel Need to
Preserve Oregon’s Heritage
Collections
March 2011
Project Components
C2C Steering Committee Meetings
Regional forums
Statewide survey
Needs Assessment Report
Leaders’ Summit
Action plans and presentations
IMLS C2C Implementation Grant submission
Survey Respondents
Survey Respondents, cont.…
Findings: Staffing of Institutions/Preservation
Whole Institution Expressly for Preservation
Findings: Learning Needs
47 specific learning needs in 6 areas
Collections in most urgent need of care
Learning forms
Findings: Disaster Preparedness
15% have a plan and are ready for the worst
85% do not have a disaster preparedness plan that is current and ready to be activated
40% are in some stage of plan development or have stalled in their planning.
Findings: Advocacy Needs
Becoming better able to write winning proposals and grants
Becoming better able to engage the public in financially supporting preservation
Becoming better able to recruit a workforce of staff or volunteers
Findings: Planning Needs
Developing long-range preservation plans and setting priorities
Fund-development planning
Disaster response and recovery planning
Findings: Technology Needs
Keeping up with technological change
Being able to resolve formatting issues
Understanding applicable web trends
Being able to use a computer
Being able to apply technology efficiently
For a cadre of respondents, basic computer skills:
Findings: Information Needs
Respondents want samples, tools, and lists that they can access on-line.
Networking Ideas
Create a web-based portal
Establish an online network
Offer regionally-based formal training
Facilitate communication
Findings: Oregon’s Priorities for Planning
Collection Care Training
Strategic planning and priority setting
Collection Management Training
Disaster Preparedness Planning
Practical Technology for Preservation
Informational Website
Preservation Advocacy
Networking for Preservation
Heritage Leaders’ Summit, March 7, 2011
Leaders representing the following groups:
Oregon Heritage Commission
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Library Association
Oregon Museums Association
Oregon Parks & Recreation
Oregon State Library
Oregon State Archives
State Historic Preservation Office
Museums: Douglas County Museum, Washington County Museum, Willamette
Heritage Center
Tribes: Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Indian Reservation
University/College Libraries & Archives: Lewis and Clark College, Portland State
University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Oregon Health & Science
University
Leaders’ Summit Results
Ask Oregon Heritage Commission to appoint a cross-disciplinary (Archives, Libraries, Museums) Oregon Preservation Advisory Board.
Purpose: planning and strategizing
Make-up: representatives of professional organizations and agencies
When: April through July, 2011
Suggested Initial Planning Agenda
1. Develop plan for requesting grants and other funds to implement recommendations
2. Statewide Inventory of critical objects and collections to ensure they are given attention
3. IMLS Implementation grant ($50-250K)
C2C Implementation Grant
To fund a collaborative effort by professional organizations, nonprofits and state agencies to help
heritage organizations in all Oregon’s regions to efficiently preserve and develop their collections,
provide trainings and support for preservation, and perpetuate these efforts by creating a network of
mentors and a virtual resource.
C2C Implementation Grant
1. Virtual resources.
2. Computer technology.
3. Technical assistance.
4. Support network.
C2C Implementation Grant
What we have done: Formed a Collections Preservation Cabinet.
What we will do:
Hire a program coordinator.
Undertake training in each of the seven regions.
Create a regionalized network of trained mentors.
Create an online resource.
C2C Implementation Grant
What we will not do:
Address all the issues identified (such as providing technology) because some are:
beyond the scope of the grant guidelines
are part of larger issues facing the state
do not have a sustainable solution at this time
C2C Implementation Grant
Impact:
30-50 additional organizations with disaster preparedness plans.
Volunteers and staff receive knowledge & training in collections care.
Creation of a statewide portal for relevant collections information.
A network of mentors created.
Continuation of collaboration.
Reach most rural areas of the state.
More people with knowledge about collections care/disaster prep.
Mentors trained to train staff to care for collections beyond expiration of the grant.
Increased cooperation.
C2C Implementation Grant
Timeline:
October 1, 2012. 1st step = get permission from the Oregon Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee to spend the funds. Contracting begins December-January.
Training sessions for mentors in the spring, summer and fall of 2013.
Mentor site visits beginning in the summer of 2013.
Webpage development begins in early January 2013 and be fully functional by that summer.
The project will conclude Sept. 30, 2014.
Kara WestAssistant Director for Field Services
Balboa Art Conservation CenterSan Diego CA
CALIFORNIANSCONNECTING
TO COLLECTIONS a statewide preservation
project that provides information, education,
and training to California heritage institutions.
Western Museum Association
Annual Meeting,October 23, 2012
PLANNING
NEED
PROJECT PRIORITIES
• Providing safe conditions for collections
• Marshaling public and private support for collections care
VISIONA self-sustaining culture of preservation management in California heritage institutions
IMPLEMENTATIONProviding safe conditions for
collections
Disaster preparedness
workshops
Disaster networking workshops
24/7 emergency hotline and
reference system
Marshalling public and
private support
ProjectDevelopment
workshops
Stewardship campaign for
trustees
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOPS:
11 workshop series serving 197participants from 118 institutions
with 109 disaster plans completed.
DISASTER NETWORKING WORKSHOPS:
4 out 6 workshops completed serving 84 participants from 41
institutions.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS:
4 out of 8 workshops serving 93participants from 87 institutions with
73.5% planning a preservation project proposal.
STEWARDSHIP TOOLKIT: 2,155 mailed; 763 visits online; 2.5 pages; 5:21 time.
PILOT COLLECTIONS CHARRETTE FOR PRESERVATION LEADERS:
30 participants from 19 institutions collaborated to draft a solutions to collection care problems.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://calpreservation.org/cpp/projects/connecting-to-collections
Kara West, C3 Steering Committee Member and Assistant Director for Field Services
Balboa Art Conservation [email protected]
619-236-9702
Steering Committee meeting Oct. 30th
Presentation at Museum Trustee
Association Forum –Nov. 2nd
Explore webinar as a future format
Pursue funding for a sustainable
preservation assistance service
NEXT STEPS:
Lessons Learned
Connecting to Collections has become a brand.
Lessons Learned
Creativity can be our friend.
Lessons Learned
Commitment to collections care can be very effective at the grassroots level.
http://www.vamuseums.org/
Lessons Learned
Disaster planning and emergency response can be learned, practiced, and exist beyond a binder on the shelf.
Lessons Learned
Regional networks can be effective in big states and across small ones.
Lessons Learned
Museums, libraries, and archives have more in common than we thought and can benefit by working together.
Lessons Learned Review
6. Connecting to Collections has become a brand.
5. Creativity can be our friend.
4. Commitment to collections care can be very effective at the grassroots level.
3. Disaster planning and emergency response can be learned, practiced, and exist beyond a binder on the shelf.
2. Regional networks can be effective in big states and across small ones.
1. Museums, libraries, and archives have more in common than we thought and can benefit by working together.
Questions?
To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.
Thank you!