Preservation Assessment and Training Workshop

FAIN: PG-50131-07

St. Gregory's University (Shawnee, OK 74804-2403)
Anita Semtner (Project Director: May 2006 to September 2008)

A preservation assessment of a special collection of circa 4,000 books, maps, and other materials related to the institution's beginning as an Indian school, the history of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma, and Indian languages and cultures. The project also includes a training workshop on the care and handling of collection materials for staff from the library and other area repositories.

An expert consultant will be contracted to conduct an on-site survey and appraisal of the Treasure Room of the James J. Kelly Library. The consultant will evaluate the special collection, including building and environmental conditions, recommend appropriate steps for preservation, and draft a long-range plan for its physical care. These materials include items from the early days of St. Gregory's at Sacred Heart and reflect a unique collection of historical and literary items with importance not only to the Catholic Church in Oklahoma, but also to the Native American population and the region. It is imperative that steps be taken, both short-term and long-range, to preserve this important part of the humanities collection for future generations. The consultant will also conduct training for library faculty concerning preservation issues and practices. Other librarians and archivists (including Native American tribal entities) in the area will be invited to attend the workshop.