Connecting to Collections:
Raising the Bar
Workshops for Libraries,
Archives and Museums

Heritage Preservation recently completed two workshops as part of a series designed to extend and enhance the knowledge gained in the Institute of Museum and Library Services initiative, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. Libraries and museums nationwide have, as a result of the initiative, gained information and inspiration for the care of their collections. Now they are facing challenges as they seek to integrate these ideas into their institutions during an economic downturn. These workshops provided tools for building capacity, reaching the public and developing resources in order to save collections.

Two workshops were conducted for regional participants. The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in Baltimore, Maryland, was the site of the first workshop on May 18, 2010. The keynote address: “It Won’t Be Long… Funding and Advocacy for Collections Care Here, There and Everywhere" was delivered at both workshops by Debra Hess Norris, Henry Francis DuPont Chair of Fine Arts, Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education, & Chair, Art Conservation Department, University of Delaware.

Each workshop was composed of three panels, focused on Traditional and "New" Media, Resource Development, and Public Outreach and Education. The panels were followed by hour long breakout sessions led by the panelists. To view the full programs and read about the panelists, please click here to view the Baltimore program. The second workshop, on June 16 and 17, 2010, was held at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa. Click here to view the Davenport program.

Staff members of institutions in nearby states that have participated in various aspects of Connecting to Collections or who have received collections-related grants from IMLS in the past five years were eligible to participate. Modest travel stipends were available.

Both workshops were regarded as very successful: "The workshop was great. It was informational and well as inspirational. I also enjoyed the opportunity to network with colleagues, and to hear about their experiences, frustrations, and successes." Said Sharon Welton, Program Director, Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies. Carol Smith, Secretary, PFDHC, Fireman's Hall Museum, Philadelphia shared this comment in her evaluation of the workshop in Baltimore: "This was a fabulous workshop; I came to represent one institution but I'm taking away ideas for many."

The next stage of the project is the webinars to be conducted nationally in the fall of 2010. This series will also include other topics of significance to the Connecting to Collections audience and feature the panelists and speakers who presented at the regional workshops. To be notified of the webinars' schedule and content, please email Lauren Hunley at lhunley(a)heritagepreservation.org.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Peck Stacpoole Foundation, and the Bay and Paul Foundations.