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Preparations are underway to distribute the Heritage Health Index, a survey on the condition and preservation needs of U.S. collections, which is being done in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The launch date, expected in 2004, will be announced on the Heritage Preservation Web site and by e-mail. In advance of the survey distribution, Heritage Preservation has launched a Web page asking institutions to submit stories and photographs about collections that are in need of or have benefited from a preservation effort. These case studies will be gathered throughout the next year and will be used to illustrate key findings from the Heritage Health Index survey. Preservation takes perseverance, and many dedicated institutions are continually confronted with collections care needs, even as they address others. Sharing a photograph of less than ideal storage, cataloging backlogs, damage caused by light or humidity, rows of material requiring microfilming or migration, or other preservation needs will help Heritage Preservation highlight the common yet serious issues that institutions face. Likewise, providing images of before and after a preservation project will demonstrate the vital work that goes on to care for our national heritage. Case studies may be about artistic, historic, or scientific collections of national significance such as those examples listed on the Web page. However, it is equally valuable for Heritage Preservation to have stories about collections with local importance. Selected case studies will be featured in a Heritage Health Index report designed to catch the attention of busy decision-makers that will be distributed to state and federal leaders, to private and public funding sources, and to the media nationwide. The report will be provided to all participants in the survey to give to their institutional leadership or community supporters. It will also be posted on the Heritage Preservation Web site to complement the full Heritage Health Index results that will contain a thorough analysis of the survey methodology, the survey findings, themes, and data tables. Case studies may be submitted to Kristen Overbeck Laise at klaise@heritagepreservation.org, 202-634-1435 (fax), or Heritage Preservation, 1625 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20006. Please include the name of the institution, contact information, description of the artifact(s) and its significance, why it is in need or what has been done to care for it, support that was given for its preservation, and whether photographs are available. |
Heritage Health Index Calls for Case Studies