On-Site Reviews Continue Around Region

The on-site consultations continue to prove beneficial to repositories throughout the NNY Library Network’s seven-county region.

The reviews are conducted by archival professionals who visit institutions to provide useful advice to assist the archival programs to move forward.

During all site visits, comments made by the consultants are advisory in nature; facilities are encouraged, but not required to act on the recommendations.

A site review was conducted for the Westport Library Association on April 16, 2005.

The consultant recommended a collections management or collections development policy be adopted; catalog the archival collections and make them available via the NYSL; adopt a set of researcher rules/access policies; dust/dry clean books and any other items as needed; and complete a needs assessment for the archival program.

A site review was conducted for the Chancery of the Diocese Archives, Ogdensburg, on May 31, 2005.

The consultant recommended historical records be stored in a clean, dry and secure space; an archival security policy be developed, publicized and observed; finding aids and indexes be accessible at the Diocesan website; a disaster plan for the Chancery complex be put into place; and to participate in Archives Week.

A follow-up site review was conducted for the Robert Louis Stevenson Society of America, Saranac Lake, on June 23, 2005.

The consultant suggested a project manager be identified for PastPerfect implementation and use; staff job descriptions should identify roles in archival and artifact program management; and the finding aid should be added to the Society’s website.

Repositories interested in having an on-site review conducted at their facility are asked to fill out the enclosed form and return it to the NNYLN for consideration. Remember, no institution is too large or too small to apply.