Improving the storage environment of Oakland University Archives and Special Collections

FAIN: PG-266704-19

Oakland University (Rochester, MI 48309-4402)
Dominique Renee Daniel (Project Director: January 2019 to February 2022)

The purchase of environmental monitoring equipment and other supplies to improve storage conditions for Oakland University’s archives and special collections.  Holdings include the Hicks Collection of Women’s Writings, a collection of epistles, poetry, memoirs, cookbooks, conduct manuals, and pro-feminist pamphlets spanning the seventeenth through twentieth centuries; the William Springer Collection, which contains over 1,000 books, nearly 1,000 pamphlets, historical newspapers, ephemera, photographs, and memorabilia relating to Abraham Lincoln’s life, assassination, and representation in American culture; and local records of Oakland County, Michigan from 1827 to 1931.

To ensure the long-term preservation of university archives and special collections, this grant will support an environmental monitoring program for collections storage areas and the purchase of supplies to rehouse fragile books and pamphlets. These projects are derived from a preservation assessment conducted by a Northeast Document Conservation Center preservation specialist in 2018. The grant will purchase dataloggers to record temperatures and relative humidity, and a consultant’s visit to train staff how to install and use the equipment, and how to interpret its data. The grant will also fund custom enclosures for rare books and pamphlets. The consultant will host a rare book care workshop, open to library staff and the general public. A library science graduate student from Wayne State University will shadow the consultant.

Media Coverage

OU awarded grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: OU News
Date: 11/19/2019
Abstract: "Nearly $16,000 in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities is helping OU preserve thousands of photographs, books, newspapers, audio/visual materials, artifacts and more." The article includes several photos.
URL: https://www.oakland.edu/oumagazine/news/oulibraries/2019/ou-awarded-grants-to-preserve-archives-and-special-collections

National Endowment for the Humanities funding Oakland University to preserve local history (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Natalie Broda
Publication: The Oakland Press
Date: 11/20/2019
Abstract: Repeat of article published by OU News
URL: https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/local/national-endowment-for-the-humanities-funding-oakland-university-to-preserve/article_5ebc87aa-0afd-11ea-8d86-67a045231da9.html

OU Awarded Grants to Preserve Archives and Special Collections (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Eric Reikowski
Publication: Patch
Date: 11/22/2019
Abstract: Repeat of article published on OU News
URL: https://patch.com/michigan/rochester/ou-awarded-grants-preserve-archives-special-collections

Oakland University awarded NEH grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: Rochester-Rochester Hills Gazette
Date: 11/21/2019
Abstract: Repeat of story published on OU News
URL: https://www.gazettemediagroup.com/uploads/1/3/3/1/13313629/rochester_gazette_november_21_2019.pdf

OU awarded grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: Automation Alley
Date: 11/22/2019
URL: https://members.automationalley.com/news/details/ou-awarded-grants-to-preserve-archives-and-special-collections-11-22-2019

OU awarded grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce
Date: 11/26/2019
URL: https://business.rrc-mi.com/news/details/ou-awarded-grants-to-preserve-archives-and-special-collections-11-26-2019

OU awarded NEH grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce
Date: 11/26/2019
URL: https://business.auburnhillschamber.com/news/details/ou-awarded-neh-grants-to-preserve-archives-and-special-collections-11-26-2019

OU awarded grants to preserve archives and special collections (Media Coverage)
Publication: Troy Chamber of Commerce
Date: 11/26/2019
URL: https://www.troychamber.com/ou-awarded-grants-to-preserve-archives-and-special-collections/

Grants help preserve archives at Oakland University (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Mary Beth Almond
Publication: Rochester OOist
Date: 1/29/2020
Abstract: Detailed account of NEH preservation assistance grants awarded to OU and their benefits, based on interview of Dominique Daniel
URL: https://www.candgnews.com/news/grants-help-preserve-archives-at-oakland-university-116706

Associated Products

Report of an Environmental Monitoring Consultation: Oakland University (Report)
Title: Report of an Environmental Monitoring Consultation: Oakland University
Author: Northeast Document Conservation Center
Abstract: This report serves 3 purposes: 1) to document environmental conditions in archives and special collections storage spaces; 2) to analyze the data and determine the impact the conditions will have on the collections; 3) to provide recommendations for ongoing environmental monitoring and recommendations for improving the management of the spaces to promote better environmental conditions in the future.
Date: 12/10/2020

Highlights from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Highlights from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project
Abstract: Presentation of the NEDCC's Environmental Monitoring Report to the Oakland University Library’s Operational and Administrative Team
Author: Dominique Daniel
Date: 12/15/2020
Location: Oakland University

Recommendations from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Recommendations from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project
Abstract: Presentation of the NEDCC's Environmental Monitoring Report to the Oakland University Library Dean and Associate Dean, identifying the main problems and offering recommendations on short-term and long-term solutions
Author: Dominique Daniel
Date: 01/11/2021
Location: Oakland University

What the Faculty Can Do: Highlights from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: What the Faculty Can Do: Highlights from the Archives and Special Collections Environmental Monitoring Project
Abstract: Presentation of the Environmental Monitoring Report to the University Senate Library Committee. The presentation emphasized the role of the environment in the preservation of special collections and what faculty can do to help support improvements.
Author: Dominique Daniel
Date: 02/03/2021
Location: Oakland University

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