Environmental Improvements and Staff Training at Three Repositories

FAIN: PA-51133-05

Reuben Hoar Library (Littleton, MA 01460)
Marjorie H. Oakes (Project Director: May 2004 to August 2006)

Consultation to develop policies and procedures for the care and use of records that document the municipal history of Littleton, Massachusetts, from 1715 to the present. The grant would also support the purchase of environmental monitoring equipment, a HEPA vacuum, ultra violet light filters and other supplies, and provide staff training.

The Littleton Historical Society, the Reuben Hoar Library and the Town of Littleton having jointly completed work on a historical records survey, “Preserving Littleton’s Legacy”, under a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Records Advisory Board., now wish to put the recommendations of the survey into practice to “Protect Littleton’s Legacy”. Valuable materials would be cleaned and protected from dirt and wear by phase boxes, archival folders and containers. Access and use policies would be established. Staff members would be trained in collection maintenance including monitoring the heat and humidity in the storage areas and taking action on the results.