Spring 2001

Site Reviews Are Conducted Many repositories throughout the North Country Reference and Research Resources region have been taking advantage of the Council’s free Advisory and Technical Assistance site reviews. The review is provided through the Council’s Documentary Heritage Program. A professional consultant comes directly to your location to conduct the review. In recent months consultants have made visits to the following sites and offered advice on how the repositories can better address some of their most important concerns. A site visit was made to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association in Canton, on Sept. 6, 2000. (The recommendations here are suggested for the new "barn" which is currently under construction.) The consultant recommended the installation of locks, alarms and possibly surveillance cameras for security reasons. He further said all shelving should be able to accommodate standard 1.5 cubic-foot acid-free archives boxes; the elevator should not permit anyone to enter the third floor without a key; and lighting should be safe, even and sufficient for the art works that will hang on the west wall of the second floor. A site review was made of the Town of Mooers Historian’s Collection on Sept. 30, 2000. The consultant recommended a gift form be prepared; vertical file materials should be reviewed for retention and transferred to archival quality file folders; historical records should be arranged following the principles of provenance and original order; and to consider using call slips to record usage of original historical records. A site review was made to the Franklin County Historical and Museum Society in Malone, on Oct. 3, 2000. During this visit, the consultant recommended that fund-raising projects should be part of the Society’s long-range plan; and as possible, historical records should be stored in a clean, dry environment with minimal fluctuation in temperature and humidity. He also suggested that if financially possible, Internet access and the construction of a website should be sought. A site review was conducted at the Heritage Foundation of Oswego County in Oswego, on Oct. 20, 2000. The consultant recommended that environmental controls be upgraded; a disaster plan be developed and implemented; and more space should be found for storage and staff and patron use. He also suggested that the purchase of adequate computer hardware and user-friendly software with database applications for archival and library environments be a priority. A site review was conducted at the James A. FitzPatrick Library, Miner Institute in Chazy, on Dec. 6, 2000. It was suggested by the consultant that maps, plans and blueprints be cleaned and repaired prior to rehousing; the use of a software program to manage the historical records collection be considered; archival security guidelines be developed, posted and publicized; and limited, but set hours of operation be considered. A site review was conducted at Historic Saranac Lake on August 18, 2000. It was recommended by the consultant that any interim storage of archival records in the North Elba Town Hall basement be moved away from outside walls and off the floors; the database for descriptive inventory to control the drawings collection should be recreated; and the interim storage space for the drawings in the Town Hall need further drying using dehumidifiers and circular fans. In the report for each site visit, the consultant gave a detailed listing of what materials would be needed to incorporate each suggestion. The consultant also included a number of appendices on models, guidelines and samples dealing with associated topics.