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On-Site Reviews Are Being ConductedRepositories throughout the NNY Library Network’s seven-county region continue to take advantage of having an on-site review conducted at their facilities. The Advisory and Technical Assistance site reviews are funded through the New York State Archives and are provided by the Network at no cost to repositories. A site review was conducted at the Franklin County Historical and Museum Society on January 8, 2002. This advisory was a follow-up to the initial survey completed in October, 2001. The consultant noted that there is a need for a long-range plan for the Society; and that archival security should be met by implementation of user protocols and board approval of a limited loan policy. A site review was conducted at the Willsboro Heritage Society on March 1, 2002. The consultant recommended the board identify one person to manage the day-to-day operations of the historical records program; individual, family and small business membership should be encouraged through articles in local and regional newspapers; a collection management policy should be prepared and approved by the board; and historical records should be protected in archival quality containers appropriate to the format. A site review was conducted for the St. Lawrence County Chapter of the American Association of University Women on April 18, 2002. The consultant recommended that when money is available, all of the St. Lawrence County AAUW records be rehoused into acid-free archival storage containers; a separate clipping of files may be created for any newspaper articles the organization wishes to keep to document its activities; and the board should consider donating the records and developing a long-term plan/agreement to continue to donate records to a repository once they become inactive. A site review was conducted at the Wells Memorial Library on May 31, 2002. This advisory was a follow-up to the initial survey completed in September 1999. The consultant pointed out the archives staff and library board are aware of the need for archival quality containers, metal shelving and climate control; and the board should prioritize the need for professional restoration of a number of small pieces. A site review was conducted at the Ellenburg Sarah A. Munsil Free Library on June 21, 2002. It was recommended by the consultant that a model collection management policy be adapted for local use; all historical records should be housed in archival quality containers appropriate to the format and should be stored in a clean, dry and secure space; and the use of photocopy request forms is encouraged as a positive workload statistic and to alert users that copyright to historical records is held by the library. As with all site visits, comments made by the consultants are only recommendations, they are all optional suggestions. If you would like to sign up for a first-time or follow-up consultation, simply print out the form found at www.nnyln.org/dhpapplication and send it in to the NNY Library Network. |