Preservation of Collections

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Preservation of Collections
Decisions that can Affect your Librarys Future
Preservation Advisory Committee New Jersey
Library Association History and Preservation
Section Co Chairs Joe Da Rold, Director,
Plainfield Public Library Susan Gulick,
Director, Morristown Morris Township Public
Library
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Also Speaking Today
Robert Stewart Director, Asbury Park Public
Library
Anne Robinson Trustee, Plainfield Public Library
Elsalyn Palmisano Director (Ret.) West Long
Branch Public Library
Chrys Jochem Head of Local History
Department Morristown Morris Township Public
Library
Fred Pachman Director, Altschul Medical
Library Monmouth Medical Center
Powerpoint Presentation by Bob Golon, Labor
Archivist
Rutgers University Special Collections and
University Archives
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Agenda
1-- Welcome and Introduction of
Speakers 2--Conservation Preservation - what do
they mean? 3--Why should the public library
collect local history? 4--What is a Local
History Collection? What is a Special
Collection? 5--Why give special attention to
local history collections? 6--The Wide World of
Local History Users 7--Responsibilities in
Collecting 8--Where to get advice (Technical
Assistance) 9--Attachments Glossary Resource
Contact List ALA Guidelines
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Conservation and Preservation
What do these terms mean?
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Why Should the Public Library Collect Local
History?
THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
--Public building open most of the
week --Air-conditioned environment --Secure
building --Adequate storage conditions Low to
high collection security --Loose procedures
--Limited access, usually by appointment --Poor
environmental conditions --Very little building
security --Poor storage collections often are
kept in members homes --Loose procedures
HOUSING
Supplies and Processing --Limited but
flexible Acquisitions --Limited in general
funds
Supplies and Processing --Minimal to
zero Acquisitions --Underwritten by Board Members
BUDGET
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Why Should the Public Library Collect Local
History?

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY
--Items often borrowed by researchers and not
returned
--Items held in public trust --Training
opportunities for staff --Staff Board continuity
ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT
--Untrained staff
--Frequently changing Boards
--Books, documents, photographs, maps, ephemera
--Same, plus textiles, furnishings, historic site
management
SCOPE
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What is a Local History Collection?
Basic Items histories, newspapers, maps,
photographs, postcards, oral histories, archival
records of local clubs and agencies, family
papers, and other resources on all types of media
formats Local Government Items typically held
when there are no official municipal or county
archives, e.g. reports, master plan documents,
meeting minutes, maps, etc.
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What is a Special Collection?
FINE ART -- --Morristown (Thomas Nast
collection) --Paterson Public Library
--Plainfield Public Library (Winslow Homer
Paintings) PRIVATE PAPERS -- --Madison Public
Library (Rushmore Collection / Golden Hind
Press) --Mount Laurel Public Library (Alice Paul
Collection) --Rutherford Public Library (William
Carlos Williams Collection)
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Why Give Special Attention to Local History
Collections?
Morristown Morris Township Public Library -
averages 1,000 questions per month on local
history Plainfield Public Library - has had
researchers from 36 states and 14 countries
contact them as a result of local history
information on their website Newark Public
Library, Atlantic City Public Library, Montclair
Public Library, et al - staff frequently credited
by authors of books written about New Jersey and
local histories
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The Wide World of Local History Users
Search photographs, newspapers, and oral
histories for information on various subjects.
Students, Writers and Journalists
Genealogists The DAR told us about your library
and we have been able with your help to trace our
familys lineage
Search City Directories, county histories, and
newspapers to develop family histories.
Homeowners The librarys blueprint collection
was instrumental in helping me to fix the old
plumbing in my house
Search photographs, blueprints, and maps to help
with restoration, repairs and to meet city codes.
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The Wide World of Local History Users

City County Officials City planners searched
1,000 historical postcards to find early street
scenes in defense of a land-use controversy
Review postcards, photographs, maps, and property
records for redevelopment, zoning, and flood
control issues, and for preparing historic
district applications.
Developers Architects The owner of a commercial
building found a historical photograph of his
building to help him restore its original facade
Consult maps and photographs to determine
previous land use (former gas station location,
et al.) and for architectural details in building
design projects.
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Responsibilities in Collecting

Environmental Concerns --Pest Mold
Control --Disasters and Disaster Plans --Lighting
Climate Control Security Concerns --Housing -
Unsecured collections in Local History
Rooms --Theft (for historical content and
monetary gain)
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Responsibilities in Collecting

Funding Concerns --Space Planning Upgrades,
Remodeling, and Building --Digitization and web
site access Access --Finding Aids, Guides, and
Indices
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Technical Assistance (Where to get Advice)
--Policies and procedures - adapt from other
institutions --Collection surveys (CAPES and
CCAHA) --Technical workshops (CCAHA, NEDCC, NJSL,
NJLA) --Publications (NEDCC, SAA, Association of
State Local History) --Grant funding (NJHC, NJ
Council for the Humanities, et al) --Knowledgeable
colleagues (university and select public
libraries) --Special events (NJHC History Day,
Monmouth County Archives Week)
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Thank You for Attending The Preservation
Advisory Committee New Jersey Library
Association History and Preservation Section