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Data collection for the Heritage Health Index was completed on December 15, 2004. In total, 3,370 archives, historical societies, libraries, museums, and scientific organizations participated in the survey which will provide the first comprehensive data of the condition and preservation needs of U.S. collections. With the high number of returned surveys, the survey results have a ±1% margin of error with a 95% confidence level and can accurately be projected to represent the entire survey population. Heritage Preservation made a special effort to encourage participation from the country’s largest and most significant collections and had a 90% response rate from this group, which included major museums, independent research libraries, university collections, federal collections, and virtually all state historical societies, archives, libraries, and museums. There was also good response from mid-sized and small institutions of all types and from every geographic region, making it possible to view the Heritage Health Index data in various ways with a relatively low margin of error. Heritage Preservation has begun analyzing and graphing the data. Detailed analyses by type, size, and region will be included in a full survey report along with an explanation of the survey methodology. The report will be available at no charge on the Heritage Preservation Web site and is expected to be released in summer 2005. Heritage Preservation is also preparing a short summary report that will feature key findings illustrated by case studies of collections that are in need of preservation attention or have been saved through a preservation effort. The report will be designed to powerfully convey the most pressing needs facing U.S. collections to busy decision-makers. It will be sent to key staff at foundations, corporations, and federal and state agencies, as well as members of Congress, state legislatures, and the press. The summary report will also be distributed to all survey participants with a letter encouraging them to share the data with their institutional leadership. To make this publication as persuasive as possible, Heritage Preservation needs compelling conservation images—particularly of collections in need. Click here to learn how to share your stories with us. Heritage Preservation board chair Debbie Hess Norris and Heritage Health Index project director Kristen Overbeck Laise will make a presentation on the Heritage Health Index at the General Session of the American Institute for Conservation annual meeting in June. In the coming year, Heritage Health Index results will continue to be presented to the field through other professional association meetings and publications. The Heritage Health Index is administered by Heritage Preservation in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with major funding from the Getty Foundation and additional support from the Henry Luce Foundation, Bay Foundation, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Peck Stacpoole Foundation, and Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. Click here answers to for Frequently Asked Questions about the Heritage Health Index. |
Heritage Health Index Data Analysis Underway