Counting Diversity in Preservation Survey (2017-2018)
Anecdotally, the field of preservation and conservation shows a significant lack of diversity. Recently, there has been an upsurge in interest in addressing this situation. However, without any hard statistics it is difficult to show where we are currently, to better project where the field should attempt to improve and how. In order to collect relevant data on this important issue, we surveyed the field of library and archive preservation in order to attain a current picture of our field’s demographics.
This survey was made possible with a grant from the University of Illinois Library Research and Publications Committee.
Implementing an Energy Efficient and Sustainable HVAC System at the University of Illinois, Archives Research Center (2013-2016)
Building on a successful planning grant completed in 2011, in July 2013, the University of Illinois Libraries, with Preservation as PI, was awarded a $300,000 National Endowment for the Humanities Sustaining Cultural Heritage implementation grant to replace the aging HVAC system in the Archives Research Center (in the Horticultural Field Laboratory Building) and install fire suppression to greatly increase the long-term preservation of valuable historical materials housed within. Click the project header, above, for more information and a public notice regarding necessary alterations to a historically significant building.
Preservation Self-Assessment Program (2013-2015)
Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the PSAP is a web application being developed to aid collection managers in museums, archives, and special collections in their efforts to assign preservation priority and definition of need to their photographic, loose paper, and book media holdings. This program will also integrate and refine the audiovisual coverage of its predecessor, the AvSAP (see below).
Planning for an Energy Efficient and Sustainable HVAC System at the University of Illinois, Archives Research Center (2010-2011)
The University of Illinois Library and Archives in partnership with the University of Illinois Facilities and Services Engineering Services Engineering Design (ESED) Sustainability Coordinator successfully submitted a National Endowment for the Humanities Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections planning grant to analyze the existing climate control system for Archives Research Center (ARC), as well as evaluate the performance characteristics of the storage vault area to develop a plan for improved operation, effectiveness and energy efficiency. Planning for the installation of a fire suppression system has also been included. This planning grant is a critical step towards improving the preservation of one of the most valuable and unique collections held by the University of Illinois Libraries, which is currently stored in a less-than-ideal environment with no available fire suppression.
Connecting to Collections State Wide Planning Grant Partner for Illinois (2009-2010)
The University of Illinois Library’s Preservation program was a leader in the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Connecting to Collections initiative. As a partner, we played a leadership role in the trial formation of the Illinois Collections Preservation Network, a group of museum, library and archives professionals from around the state interested in furthering preservation education and awareness around the state. In late 2010, the ICPN submitted an implementation grant to the IMLS for start-up funding. Decisions on that grant program are still pending.
The ICPN is now offering scholarships to all members (membership details here) seeking further skills or professional development, through a wide array of preservation and collection management courses. Members are encouraged to apply for a $500 scholarship to the International Preservation Studies Center (IPSC). The scholarship can be applied to any IPSC workshop. Click to view IPSC’s list of courses. For more information about an ICPN Scholarship and application instructions, visit the IPSC web site.
Audiovisual Self-Assessment Program Project (2007-2010)
(AVSAP) – Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), this project will provide assessors with basic guidelines on reformatting and rehousing needs, long-term storage and the potential ability for the reformatted media to be mounted on the Internet.
Carl Sandburg Preservation Project (2005-2006)
Funded by the Save America’s Treasures grant program, this grant is providing the Library with the resources needed to preserve the personal papers, literary manuscripts, photographs, and library of this unique American figure.
CIC-8: American Railroading (2004-2006)
Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities as a collaborative grant to the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (now called the Big Ten Academic Alliance), this grant is providing resources to preserve two significant serials emblematic of American railroading history.
Statewide Preservation Needs Assessment
With funds from the Illinois State Library, the University Library engaged a consultant to complete a statewide preservation needs assessment.