Preservation and Access: Gloucester County Library System Local History Collection

FAIN: PG-252867-17

Gloucester County Library System (Mullica Hill, NJ 08062-1553)
Nancy Polhamus (Project Director: May 2016 to August 2019)

The purchase of storage equipment for a collection of 69 rare books and numerous directories, booklets, and pamphlets.  Significant items include a four-volume set of Civil War letters from Gloucester County soldiers; A Permanent United Nations (1942) and United Nations Government (1945), authored by Gloucester native Amos J. Peaslee, member of one of the county’s founding Quaker families; and materials describing the first commercially successful glass factories in the American colonies, which were established in Gloucester and nearby Salem counties in the early 18th century.  A preservation report recommended the purchase of this locked cabinet to improve the security and accessibility of the collection.

The Gloucester County Library System (NJ) owns a local history collection that is currently stored in a secure work area of the library not open to the public. Interested parties must request that the items be retrieved in order to use them. The Preservation Assistance Grant will be used to purchase furniture and supplies to properly and securely store books, booklets, and other paper items in the local history collection at the headquarters library in Mullica Hill, NJ. GCLS will purchase two conservation grade locking cabinets with acrylic doors, UV-filtering film for the doors, and conservation quality bookends and other supplies to prevent deterioration of the collection. New cabinets will allow the collection to be returned to the public area of the library. Patrons wishing to use these items will sign them out with the reference librarian on duty. This will increase the visibility and accessibility of the collection, while greatly reducing the risk of damage or loss.