Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

FAIN: CHA-261978-19

HBCU Library Alliance, Inc. (Atlanta, GA 30314-4207)
Sandra Phoenix (Project Director: March 2018 to present)

The delivery of collections care services and training opportunities for members of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Library Alliance, in order to strengthen stewardship of special collections documenting the African American experience.

“Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at Historically Black Colleges and Universities” (“Building Capacity – HBCU”) is a five-year program designed to build capacity for the long-term preservation and conservation of collections at each of the 71 member libraries and to strengthen their staffs in collection stewardship and fundraising for collections care initiatives. Through this program, the HBCU Library Alliance will offer a menu of preservation planning documents, collection surveys, treatment and rehousing services, and educational programs to the member libraries. By helping them to move forward in achieving collection care goals, the HBCU Library Alliance will assist the libraries in building capacity for fundraising for special collection initiatives, documenting cultural heritage materials, increasing accessibility of special collection items, and promoting the humanities significance of their collections.

Associated Products

Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Web Resource)
Title: Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Author: HBCU Library Alliance
Abstract: The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded the HBCU Library Alliance a $365,000 one-to-one challenge grant for “The Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at Historically Black Colleges and Universities” project. The HBCU Library Alliance must raise $365,000 to fulfil the obligations of the challenge grant. Building Capacity is a five-year program designed to build capacity for the long-term preservation and conservation of collections at each of the member libraries. Building Capacity will offer a menu of preservation planning documents, collection surveys, treatment and rehousing services, and educational programs to the member libraries. Through this outreach, the HBCU Library Alliance will assist the libraries in building capacity for fundraising for special collection initiatives, documenting cultural heritage materials, increasing accessibility of special collection items, and promoting the humanities significance of their broad collections of rare materials and their irreplaceable cultural heritage artifacts.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html

Introduction to Building Capacity (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Introduction to Building Capacity
Abstract: This session described the goals of the five-year project, the schedule for applying for the re-grants for preservation and conservation projects, and advice for developing competitive proposals.
Author: Lee Price
Author: HBCU Library Alliance
Date: 7/31/2019
Location: Web
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha3zpJeZWCQ
Secondary URL: http://hbculibraries.org/docs/Webinar1-IntroBuildCap.pdf

Collections Basic Care (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Collections Basic Care
Abstract: This session provided an introduction to collections care basics through the ten agents of deterioration: physical force, theft and vandalism, fire, water, pests, pollutants, light, incorrect temperature, incorrect relative humidity, and custodial neglect.
Author: Dyani Feige
Author: HBCU Library Alliance
Date: 8/14/2019
Location: Web
Primary URL: http://hbculibraries.org/docs/Webinar2-CollCareBasics.pdf

Know Your Collections: Collections Management (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Know Your Collections: Collections Management
Abstract: This session covered key collections management topics such as acquisition, appraisal, documentation and deeds of gift, inventory, and deaccessioning.
Author: Dyani Feige
Author: HBCU Library Alliance
Date: 9/27/2019
Location: Web
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DS2U-Nj_Og
Secondary URL: http://hbculibraries.org/docs/Webinar3-CollectManage.pdf

Building Momentum: Promoting Your Collections (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Building Momentum: Promoting Your Collections
Abstract: This session suggested strategies for capitalizing re-grants for both promotional and fundraising purposes.
Author: Jason Henn
Author: Lee Price
Author: HBCU Library Alliance
Date: 9/12/2019
Location: Web
Primary URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG3NBIXAnD4
Secondary URL: http://hbculibraries.org/docs/Webinar4-PromoBuildCap.pdf

Introduction to Emergency Planning and Risk Assessment (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Introduction to Emergency Planning and Risk Assessment
Abstract: One of the most important steps any cultural institution can take to safeguard collections is to be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster. This webinar will provide a “big picture” overview of emergency planning and preparedness. Terminology of emergency planning, the basic components of an emergency preparedness and response plan, and the importance of risk assessment will be discussed.
Author: Maddie Cooper
Date: 11/8/2022
Location: Via Zoom
Primary URL: https://ccaha.org/introduction-emergency-planning-and-risk-assessment

AN INTRODUCTION TO HOUSEKEEPING IN COLLECTION SPACES (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: AN INTRODUCTION TO HOUSEKEEPING IN COLLECTION SPACES
Abstract: Housekeeping plays a crucial role in the successful management and care of archival, library, and museum collections. Informed and regularly-scheduled cleaning and other housekeeping tasks significantly benefit both the health and safety of collections materials and the infrastructure that supports them. In addition, a well-rounded housekeeping program can support other essential functions of an organization, such as security, pest management, and building maintenance. This session will examine best practices for dusting and vacuuming collections objects. Discussion includes tips for drafting these tasks in a housekeeping plan, what to consider when purchasing supplies and equipment, and steps your site can implement to generally reduce dirt and dust from entering collections spaces.
Author: Maddie Cooper
Date: 12/6/22
Location: Via Zoom
Primary URL: https://ccaha.org/introduction-housekeeping-collection-spaces

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