Meeting the Preservation Needs of Humanities Collections by Transforming Services

FAIN: PE-268729-20

Northeast Document Conservation Center, Inc. (Andover, MA 01810-1438)
Ann Marie Willer (Project Director: May 2019 to October 2022)

A preservation field service program that provides assessments, workshops and seminars (in-person and online), technical consultations, and disaster assistance to libraries, archives, and other cultural heritage repositories, predominantly in the Northeast.

With a respected history as a preservation and conservation resource for organizations of all sizes, the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) effectively increases the knowledge and skills of collections care professionals—at all levels—in the long-term care and stewardship of paper-based and photographic collections, audiovisual materials, and digital objects. Through workshops, webinars, in-person conferences, reference services, disaster assistance, print and online resources, assessments, and consultations, NEDCC helps institutions better understand and address their preservation challenges so that their vital humanities collections remain accessible into the future. NEDCC’s basic field services programs remain the staple of our work and will continue unabated. As our clients’ needs change, NEDCC expands its expertise and services. With this grant, we propose to continue to transform our services with both the design of new services and the improvement of existing ones.

Associated Products

Preservation Needs Assessment - A Hybrid Model (Blog Post)
Title: Preservation Needs Assessment - A Hybrid Model
Author: Stepahnie Garafolo
Abstract: During 2020, the NEDCC Preservation Services team developed some creative ways to help organizations move forward with their preservation initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since onsite preservation needs assessment visits were greatly reduced due to public health mandates, the staff designed a hybrid approach that incorporates strict safety protocols, limited in-person interaction, and extended online availability, allowing this critical planning work to move ahead.
Date: 10/1/2020
Primary URL: https://www.nedcc.org/about/nedcc-stories/story-hybrid-assessment
Blog Title: NEDCC Stories
Website: NEDCC.org/stories

Taking the Temperature of Digital Collections Management and Preservation: NEDCC Surveys Current Practices (Blog Post)
Title: Taking the Temperature of Digital Collections Management and Preservation: NEDCC Surveys Current Practices
Author: Becky Geller
Abstract: To best provide digital assessment training, we decided to “take the temperature” of digital collections management and preservation practices at the small- to mid-sized organizations that would benefit from this assessment. Questions we aimed to answer included: How much digitization is taking place? How are the resulting digital objects being managed? Do staff have the resources they need to steward digital collections? And finally, what information do they need, so that we may offer it? We conducted two surveys: one in 2016 and one in 2018. We wanted to compare the results to see the growth or decline in different areas of digital collections management. We had the results professionally analyzed by data analysts who are also archivist-librarians – a perfect match! While the number of participants in each survey year varied (748 in 2016 and 286 in 2018), The analysts were able to observe significant findings, interpret trends, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
Date: 3/1/2020
Primary URL: https://www.nedcc.org/about/nedcc-stories/survey-of-current-digital-preservation-practices
Primary URL Description: NEDCC Stories
Blog Title: NEDCC Stories
Website: NEDCC.org/stories

Preservation Leaflet 3.5 - Disinfecting Books and Other Collections (Web Resource)
Title: Preservation Leaflet 3.5 - Disinfecting Books and Other Collections
Author: NEDCC Preservation Staff
Abstract: This leaflet addresses general questions about disinfecting books and other cultural heritage collections. NEDCC has added a section to the beginning that addresses specific concerns about COVID-19.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/3.-emergency-management/3.5-disinfecting-books
Secondary URL: http://nedcc.org

Preservation Leaflet 4.5 - Packing and Shipping Paper Artifacts (Web Resource)
Title: Preservation Leaflet 4.5 - Packing and Shipping Paper Artifacts
Author: NEDCC Staff
Abstract: Even under the best of circumstances, shipping by common carrier involves some risk. Objects may be exposed to crushing, puncture, shock, vibration, and the elements, including drastic changes in temperature and relative humidity (RH). Conservators often see examples of objects damaged in shipment. The possibility of damage can be minimized by packing objects securely and choosing a reliable carrier. Descriptions of shippers and packing instructions for a variety of materials.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.5-packing-and-shipping-paper-artifacts

Preservation Leaflet 4.6 - Packing and Shipping Audio Media (Web Resource)
Title: Preservation Leaflet 4.6 - Packing and Shipping Audio Media
Author: Bryce Roe
Author: Jonathan Goodrich
Abstract: Even under the best of circumstances, shipping audio media involves some risk. Objects may be exposed to crushing, puncture, shock, vibration, and the elements, including drastic changes in temperature and relative humidity (RH). The possibility of damage during shipment can be minimized by packing objects securely and choosing an appropriate shipping service. Descriptions of shippers and packing instructions for a variety of media.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.6-packing-and-shipping-audio-media

Fundamentals of Audiovisual Preservation (Web Resource)
Title: Fundamentals of Audiovisual Preservation
Author: Chris Lacinak
Author: Rebecca Chandler
Author: Amy Rudersdorf
Author: Kara Van Mallsen
Abstract: Fundamentals of AV Preservation was developed by AVPreserve and NEDCC and is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Covering the core topics in caring for and reformatting audiovisual collections, this course prepares participants to be effective collections stewards for audiovisual materials. The online course includes these topics: Chapter 1: Introduction to AV Preservation Challenges Chapter 2: Care and Handling of Physical Carriers Chapter 3: Collection Inventory and Assessment Chapter 4: Reformatting Chapter 5: Managing Digital AV Collections Chapter 6: Disaster Recovery for AV Collections
Year: 2022
Primary URL: http://https://www.nedcc.org/assets/media/documents/Publications/fundamentals-av-preservation/nedcc-AVFun-5.22-final3.pdf
Primary URL Description: Link to the online textbook PDF.
Secondary URL: http://https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/fundamentals-of-av-preservation
Secondary URL Description: Link to more information about the Fundamentals of Audiovisual Preservation course and the online textbook.

How to Vacuum a Dusty Book (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: How to Vacuum a Dusty Book
Writer: NEDCC Director of Book Conservation Bexx Caswell-Olson
Producer: NEDCC Staff
Abstract: Demonstration of vacuuming a (dusty) book: head, tail, foredge, and gutter.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQQpgfV4Qxc
Primary URL Description: Link to YouTube video.
Format: Video
Format: Web

Vacuuming Moldy Books & Paper (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Vacuuming Moldy Books & Paper
Writer: NEDCC Director of Book Conservation Bexx Caswell-Olson
Producer: NEDCC Staff
Abstract: NEDCC’s Director of Book Conservation, Bexx Caswell-Olson, shares tips for safely removing inactive mold from books and paper.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydmdJy-rxTg
Primary URL Description: Link to YouTube video.
Format: Video
Format: Web

Agents of Deterioration (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Agents of Deterioration
Writer: Associate Preservation Specialist Stephanie Garafolo
Producer: NEDCC Staff
Abstract: This video provides foundational preservation information by describing the causes and effects of collections deterioration and outlines basic mitigation strategies for reducing collections risks.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt7KzBKIGNY
Primary URL Description: Link to YouTube video.
Format: Video
Format: Web

NEDCC Preservation Training YouTube Playlist (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: NEDCC Preservation Training YouTube Playlist
Writer: NEDCC Staff
Producer: NEDCC Staff
Abstract: Playlist of on-demand recordings of NEDCC Preservation Training webinars.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSqxpHY476Jy1ffYgdE6JahUxhHvoK155
Format: Video
Format: Web

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