The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) recently awarded 23 Connecting to Collections: Statewide Planning Grants that will be used to create statewide conservation plans for collections held in libraries, museums, and archives.
This is the second year IMLS has awarded Statewide Planning Grants, an important component of the IMLS initiative, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. IMLS launched the initiative in response to the 2005 Heritage Health Index report on the dire state of the nation’s collections. According to the report by Heritage Preservation, approximately 190 million objects could be lost in just a few short years without immediate attention. The report also found that 65 percent of collecting institutions report damage to collections due to improper storage and 80 percent did not have an emergency plan for their collections or trained staff to carry it out.
Clemson University’s award for "Building South Carolina's Heritage Health Index" is in the amount of $40,000 and will be coordinated by Emily Gore, Head of Digital Initiatives, Clemson University Libraries.
Clemson University Libraries, in collaboration with partners across the state, including the South Carolina State Library; the South Carolina Department of Archives and History; the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies; and the Palmetto Archives, Libraries, Museums Council on Preservation, will identify and perform onsite surveys of cultural heritage organizations based on the Heritage Health Index. This information will be used to create a database of all South Carolina repositories with corresponding photographs of the institution, publish a directory of institutions and collection strengths based on this database and establish an informed baseline from which to develop improved condition of collections, develop viable emergency plans, improve staff training, and build stronger partnerships between identified cultural heritage agencies.
For more information, contact Emily Gore at 864-656-3622 or egore@clemson.edu. For a complete list of recipients, visit http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/021909_list.shtm.
