NEDCC News - March 2019

NEDCC welcomes Tahe Zalal, our new Outreach Conservator. The outreach position was created in 2014  to more directly serve the conservation needs of libraries, archives, and museums in the US, by offering free consultations by phone and email, as well as free onsite visits at institutions across the country.

The successful program began with Conservator Claire Grund, who visited over 150 institutions, met with hundreds of librarians, archivists and curators, and attended over 60 conferences over the last 5 years. While Claire moves on to pursue a new career in nursing (her patients will be now be people instead of historic collections!), Tahe brings her extensive conservation expertise to the role with over 15 years of experience in the conservation field. Tahe is a Professional Associate of AIC and will serve as a resource for the whole country from her home base in Greensboro, North Carolina.  

Contact Tahe with questions about conservation of collections, or stop by the NEDCC booth at national and regional conferences to say hello or arrange a visit.

- EXPERIENCE - NEDCC’s staff members have years of experience in the careful handling of some of the nation’s most significant historic materials. 

- COLLABORATION - The Center’s imaging, conservation, audio preservation, and preservation services  departments work closely together, providing a level of expertise many times higher than the experience of any one staff member. 

- SECURITY - Conservation treatment and digitization of original materials are performed at the same facility, minimizing the risks of transporting fragile objects. NEDCC’s facility provides sophisticated security and climate controls. 

- PERSONAL CONNECTIONS - You can call and speak directly with a conservator, imaging or audio preservation professional, or preservation specialist if you are beginning to plan a project, or if you are thinking of applying for a grant. Our staff can help you think through a treatment or imaging project and advise on language for grant applications.

Feel free to reach out to NEDCC's departments: Paper and Photograph Conservation, Book Conservation, Digital Imaging, Audio Preservation or Preservation Services.

Learn more about the Center's professional staff / contact.   

REMEMBER - NEDCC provides many free resources to help you care for your collections, including: 

- Funding Opportunities List for preservation, conservation, digitization, or audio preservation
- Preservation Leaflets - Downloadable leaflets on caring for a wide variety of collections 
- Ask NEDCC - A free email reference service for your preservation questions
- 24/7 Disaster Hotline - Phone Advice for those handling collection-related disasters 
- Fundamentals of AV Preservation - A free online textbook covering core topics 

BROWSE the Menu of NEDCC's Free Resources.

Join us in Kansas, the sunflower state, for DIGITAL DIRECTIONS 2019. This unique training conference provides two days of instruction on good practices and practical strategies for the creation, curation, and use of digital collections. Many participants have said that the opportunities to interact one-on-one with faculty and to make connections with colleagues are among the most valuable aspects of the program.

New to digital preservation?  Well into a digital project and need a refresher on current practices? Join us in Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City Metro Area) on August 19-20.  Seats are limited this year, so register early! 

Complete Digital Directions details, logistics, and registration information here. 

NEDCC’s webinars and workshops help take the worry out of caring for collections by providing guidelines and practical advice on preserving a wide variety of materials, including books, oversize materials, and photographs, as well as audiovisual and digital collections. Learn about preservation planning, emergency preparedness, and exhibit best practices, among other topics. Many programs fill up fast, so be sure to register early!  

Browse the current list for programs through July 2019. 

Interested in a customized program for your organization, association, or region? 

Your institution can coordinate an NEDCC workshop, webinar, series, or other program for your region, anywhere in the country. NEDCC will provide the faculty, tailor the program to meet the interests and training needs of your institution and region, and help you promote the event to your audience.

Contact us to discuss options for customization.