Blount County Preservation Assessment

FAIN: PG-51015-10

Blount County Government (Maryville, TN 37803-7979)
Jackie Glenn (Project Director: May 2009 to May 2011)

A preservation assessment of the county's paper-based archival records, along with the purchase of preservation supplies and participation by the project director in online preservation workshops. The county archives, dating to the 18th century, include documentation on the encounter of Tennessee frontier settlers with American Indians as well as the involvement of area Quaker communities in the Underground Railroad.

Blount County Archives preservation assistance grant will be used to provide a general preservation assessment and to evaluate current policies and procedures. The conservator from Lyrasis will assess possible risks to collections from building and environment-related problems, including emergency preparedness. The conservator will also review existing collections maintenance program and provide recommendations for improving storage and handling practices. Grant Administrator will review recommendations from Conservator and use the assessment as a planning guide for short-, medium-, and long-term preservation priorities in the context of our institution. Archivist will make changes as funds are available. Conservation supplies and equipment will be purchased upon recommendation from conservator. Archivist plans to use balance of grant for tuition for on-line preservation classes available from Lyrasis or other Conservation web-sites.