Heritage Health Index Report Sent Far and Wide
A Public Trust at Risk: the Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's Collections has been published as an illustrated summary report and in full at www.heritagehealthindex.org. The survey results have now traveled far and wide, with approximately 9,300 copies of the summary report distributed to date. The report was mailed to survey participants, allied organizations and federal agencies, project advisors, all members of Congress, state arts and humanities councils, foundations, and the press. Since A Public Trust at Risk was distributed, Heritage Preservation has received requests for reports from around the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain, and has sent out more than 1,000 copies to fulfill these requests.
The Heritage Health Index Web site has received almost 5,800 hits since going live December 6, 2005. The Web site features the full Heritage Health Index report, case studies, selected data, a list of participants, and additional resources on staff training, emergency planning, and fundraising. A Public Trust at Risk: the Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's Collections summary report may be downloaded from the Web site or purchased through the Heritage Preservation bookstore for a modest shipping and handling fee.
The Heritage Health Index Web site includes a link for feedback, which contains five brief questions that will measure the impact of the report. This information is of great interest to the Heritage Health Index funders, so additional efforts will be made to encourage response.
The Heritage Health Index is the first comprehensive survey ever to assess the condition of U.S. collections and concludes that immediate action is needed to prevent the loss of millions of irreplaceable artifacts held in public trust. Key findings include:
- 80 percent of U.S. collecting institutions do not have an emergency plan to protect collections with staff trained to carry it out.
- 65 percent of collecting institutions have experienced damage to collections due to improper storage.
- 190 million objects are in urgent need of conservation treatment.
- environmental control is the most urgent need at U.S. collecting institutions.
Heritage Preservation conducted the Heritage Health Index in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services with additional funding from the Getty Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The Samuel H. Kress Foundation, The Bay and Paul Foundations, The Peck Stacpoole Foundation, and The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.