Current Training Programs

Parchment documents can be among the oldest and most challenging items to care for in our collections. This webinar provides participants with the knowledge needed to identify parchment documents, understand their history and construction, and make decisions for housing and possible conservation of their parchment collections. The presenter will use case studies from NEDCC’s own conservation projects to illustrate needs and solutions that may be relevant to participants’ own collections.

Close Info

Please note that this course has started but you will have access to recordings of sessions you may have missed.  

For Full Details 

Orientation Meeting 
Wed, 08/26/2020, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST 

Webinar #1: Wed, 09/02/2020, 10AM-12PM PST 

Webinar #2: Wed, 09/16/2020, 10AM-12PM PST

Webinar #3: Wed, 09/23/2020, 10AM-12PM PST 

Collection Salvage
Wed, 10/28/2020, 9AM-2PM PST 

Disaster Plan Stress Test
Fri, 12/04/2020, 9AM-2PM PST

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 20 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Please note that this course has started but you will have access to recordings of sessions you may have missed. 

For Full Details 

Orientation Meeting 
Fri, 08/28/2020, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST 

Webinar #1: Wed, 09/02/2020, 10AM-12PM PST 

Webinar #2: Wed, 09/16/2020, 10AM-12PM PST

Webinar #3: Wed, 09/23/2020, 10AM-12PM PST 

Collection Salvage
Fri, 10/30/2020, 9AM-2PM PST 

Disaster Plan Stress Test
Fri, 12/09/2020, 9AM-2PM PST

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 20 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Close Info

Workshop sponsored in part by Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Oklahoma Museums Association, and the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board, with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

This workshop will introduce participants to key concepts in managing the preservation of paper-based and photographic materials in their collections. In the morning, participants will learn an approach to planning for the improvement of their preservation programs over time and receive training on how to monitor and improve the preservation environment of their spaces.  In the afternoon, participants will learn how to identify and store a variety of formats, reinforcing these skills through an activity.

Who should attend?

Oklahoma organization staff, students, and volunteers interested in learning how to manage a preservation program for paper-based and photographic collections in smaller institutions

Close Info

Close Info

NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are relatively easy to apply for and have launched successful preservation projects and programs in institutions across the country. Be ready for the round of applications! This webinar is presented by an NEDCC Preservation Specialist and covers the issues that should be considered when preparing to submit an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. Emphasis will be on preparing the grant narrative, making the case for your project, and getting requisite information from consultants.

Close Info

NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are relatively easy to apply for and have launched successful preservation projects and programs in institutions across the country. Be ready for the round of applications! This webinar is presented by an NEDCC Preservation Specialist and covers the issues that should be considered when preparing to submit an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. Emphasis will be on preparing the grant narrative, making the case for your project, and getting requisite information from consultants.

Close Info

Ensuring that the stories of your oral history subjects will be available long into the future starts before you press “record.” This session teaches participants about the technical considerations that go into making an oral history recording at preservation-quality. This includes selecting the right equipment, capturing audio correctly, and making sure the file formats support digital preservation. The instructor will cover practical and achievable recommendations that meet different resource levels and budget needs so that both small and large organizations can improve the preservation quality of their oral history recordings.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 1 Archival Recertification Credit (ARC) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Part 1: December 10, 2020
Part 2: December 17, 2020

Who should attend: Anyone who wants to learn how to start an environmental monitoring program or refine their existing program.

Maintaining an environmental monitoring program is among the most impactful activities collections stewards can undertake. This two-part webinar teaches participants how to understand their building’s environment and make changes that help to preserve the collections in their care.

Part 1 of 2 provides participants with the background knowledge needed to start collecting data, including key terms, how to understand your building’s current systems, and how the environment impacts different collections. Participants will also learn about environmental monitoring equipment and software and best practices for its placement.

Part 2 of 2 guides participants through the analysis of environmental monitoring data and how to make improvements to the environment using techniques appropriate for both small and large organizations. This session will conclude with guidance on advocacy techniques and funding sources to achieve resource-intensive goals.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Do you need to start working on the nitrate and acetate in your stacks, but don’t know where to start? This webinar, presented by NEDCC’s Director of Imaging Services, will cover all of the logistical complexities involved in a digitization/reformatting project that includes nitrocellulose- and cellulose acetate-based film, from packing and shipping to long-term storage and maintenance to the ethical dilemma of retention vs. disposal. The concepts and approaches will be applicable to any nitrate or acetate digitization project, from the very small to the very large, and while the webinar will focus on still photographic film, the information will be applicable to motion picture nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate film as well.

Note: this webinar does not address in detail digitization methods or specifications for film-based media; see NEDCC’s webinar “Digitizing Photographic Collections” for information on this subject.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Close Info

Conservation can be expensive, but it can also yield immense preservation benefits for the objects in your care and open up new possibilities for how your objects are accessed, displayed, and used. Join NEDCC’s Associate Paper Conservator Katie Boodle as she walks participants through the key considerations of planning and implementing a conservation project to make your funds go as far possible. Participants will learn about conservation project components, additional options like digital reformatting, framing and facsimile production, and grant opportunities that cultural heritage organizations can pursue to make their goals a reality. Case studies of NEDCC’s own conservation projects will help attendees understand how conservation can support their project goals.

Close Info

This session will introduce participants to a critical part of any digitization project or digital preservation program: ensuring the digital files in your care are well-formed and valid. The instructor will define file validation and its benefits and discuss how and when an institution can implement validation into their digitization and digital preservation workflows. Participants will receive an overview of available file validation tools and watch a demo of the popular free validation tool JHOVE. Participants will receive a package of files and an activity sheet that they may choose to complete after the webinar to gain hands-on experience with validation.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 1 Archival Recertification Credit (ARC) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

The six-session online course offers an in-depth introduction to the preservation of photographs, including their identification, deterioration, and care. Participants will learn how to recognize various photographic processes ranging from daguerreotypes to contemporary prints. Preservation problems associated with specific processes will also be studied. The course will address storage concerns and preservation priorities, including environmental guidelines, enclosures, and proper care and handling. The course will include an optional assignment in which participants create a preservation plan for a selected photographic collection within their institution. This course is intended for individuals who want to learn in more detail how to care for photographs including curators, collection managers, exhibit preparations, catalogers, archivists , photographers and collectors.

03/03/2021 Session 1: Introduction – Photograph Preservation Checklist
03/10/2021 Session 2: Paper, Glass and Plastic: Id and Care of Negatives
03/17/2021 Session 3: Finding a Balance: Caring for Cased Images
03/24/2021 Session 4: Black and White Photographic Processes:  Salt to Silver Gelatin Print
03/31/2021 Session 5: Color and Contemporary Photography
04/07/2021 Session 6: Review of Course and Preservation Plans

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 10 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Pests and mold are common culprits for damage and loss in cultural heritage collections. While preventing infestation is central to good preservation practice, there may come a time when you discover pests or mold (or both) in your collections. This webinar covers strategies for preventing and mitigating issues in library, archives, museum, and personal collections, as well as institutional policies and procedures that can be implemented to reduce the risk of infestation.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

An introduction to the basics of caring for object collections, this webinar will discuss common vulnerabilities of artworks and three-dimensional objects, as well as proper handling and storage conditions. Recommendations for specific material types will be provided, such as environmental standards for metals, ceramics, and textiles. The webinar will also explore preservation approaches that are appropriate for mixed-collections spaces.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

The proliferation of digital preservation tools can make it difficult to select the software--or combination of software--that meets your organization’s needs. This webinar provides participants with a process to identify and evaluate digital preservation software, addressing topics that include working with IT, open-source vs. proprietary, the sustainability of tools, and which elements of a digital preservation workflow a tool supports. Procedures for testing tools will also be covered, and tools with robust testing opportunities, such as Archivematica, will be demonstrated. Participants will conclude the webinar with a strong understanding of how to articulate their needs and identify software that builds their digital preservation capabilities.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Participants who attend this webinar will learn about the stages of building and sustaining a digital preservation program in order to make optimal use of their available resources. The instructor will introduce a variety of assessment methods that will help an organization launch their planning process and will introduce policies and procedures that form the foundation of a mature digital preservation program. In addition to assessment and policy-making, participants will conclude the webinar knowing how to identify and work with stakeholders and to engage with communities of practice that support skill- and resource-sharing.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Part 1: April 8 2021
Part 2: April 15, 2021

Who should attend: Anyone who wants to write a disaster plan for their organization or have NEDCC review their current disaster plan

Having a disaster plan is an important part of collections stewardship. This two-part course empowers participants to complete the critical stages of becoming more prepared for the unexpected.

Part 1 of 2 guides participants through the prerequisite stage of writing a disaster plan: conducting a comprehensive risk assessment that identifies and evaluates potential threats based on an organization’s region, building, collections, and history.

Part 2 of 2 walks participants through the elements of writing a disaster plan, including forming a response team, creating salvage priorities, putting together a supplies kit, drafting salvage procedures, and making floor plans. Participants will finish this two-part series with a method for risk assessment and a disaster plan template having all the knowledge necessary to move forward with the planning process.

At the end of the series, participants can share their organization’s disaster plan with the instructor for feedback and review.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE:  This workshop, scheduled to take place on September 21 2020, has been rescheduled to April 20, 2021

This hands-on workshop offers an introduction to the preservation of photographs, including their identification, deterioration, and care. Participants will learn how to recognize various photographic processes ranging from daguerreotypes to inkjet prints. Preservation problems associated with specific processes will also be studied. The workshop will address storage concerns and preservation priorities, including environmental guidelines, enclosures, and proper care and handling. Participants are encouraged to bring photographs for examination and discussion. 

The one-day workshop is intended for individuals who want to learn how to care for photographs including curators, collection managers, exhibit preparations, catalogers, archivists, photographers and collectors.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Free for Preservation Week!

This webinar will offer guidance and resources about preserving our “digital lives” – after all, digital files are today’s scrapbooks and personal collections. These digital assets represent a significant investment in both time and resources, and are often more fragile than we realize. This webinar will prepare you to collect your emails, photos, videos, and text messages and create a personal plan to ensure they are cared for well into the future

Close Info

Close Info

Town, municipal, and county clerks care for historic ledgers, documents, and other records, while fulfilling everyday responsibilities to the community. By applying the preservation practices in this training webinar, municipal records holders can make the best decisions for the care and handling of their records today, while ensuring that they will be accessible for future generations. The methods and goals discussed in this webinar will help take the worry out of your responsibilities to your records.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 1 Archival Recertification Credit (ARC) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

In this 1-hour “hands on” webinar, participants will learn about various surface cleaning methods that can be safely used to clean books and paper. Using a combination of lecture and live demonstration, the pros and cons and appropriate application of each method will be discussed. Each participant will receive a supply kit in the mail and will have the opportunity to participate in a unique hands-on experience. This class is appropriate for anyone responsible for the care of paper-based collections – no previous conservation experience is necessary. The registration fee includes supply kit and shipping.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 1 Archival Recertification Credit (ARC) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

This hands-on workshop offers an introduction to the preservation of photographs, including their identification, deterioration, and care. Participants will learn how to recognize various photographic processes ranging from daguerreotypes to inkjet prints. Preservation problems associated with specific processes will also be studied. The workshop will address storage concerns and preservation priorities, including environmental guidelines, enclosures, and proper care and handling. Participants are encouraged to bring photographs for examination and discussion. 

The one-day workshop is intended for individuals who want to learn how to care for photographs including curators, collection managers, exhibit preparations, catalogers, archivists, photographers and collectors.

Participants who are eligible Certified Archivists earn 2 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) through the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Close Info

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.  

Closing a cultural heritage facility may be part of an institution’s seasonal schedule or caused by a disaster or stay-at-home order. Regardless of the cause, extended closures have serious implications for the preservation of an organization’s collections. This webinar introduces participants to collections concerns that arise when a building is not accessed regularly and recommends practical solutions for adapting an organization’s disaster plan and implementing practical mitigation and monitoring strategies in-house. A portion of the webinar will be reserved for attendees to ask questions and share their own experiences with extended closure, and participants are encouraged to contact the instructor with specific questions following the conclusion of the webinar.

Close Info

Most digital preservation software uses free, smaller tools that run on the command line. This webinar introduces attendees to Windows command line tools, including ROBOCOPY, MD5DEEP, FIDO, EXIFTOOL, and BagIt. Participants will receive an introduction to the command line and a demonstration of these tools in a workflow that breaks down the steps most digital preservation software automates for you. Watch this webinar if you want to learn more about the command line, gain a deeper practical understanding of digital preservation activities, and make more informed decisions about the workflows you build. Watch Building an Easy Digital Preservation Workflow with Small Tools to learn how to use more free digital preservation tools and build your workflow.

Duration: 2 hours

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session. 

Ready to move from theory to practice with digital preservation at your institution? This webinar shows attendees how to implement a simple, free workflow with user-friendly tools, including DataAccessioner, Fixity by AVP, and Bagger. Participants will learn about the preservation activities that these tools support and receive a step-by-step instructional demonstration of the workflow in action. Attendees will finish the webinar with a strong idea of how to implement and build on this workflow at their institution with handouts and guidance on next steps. Watch Diving Deeper with Digital Preservation Tools using the Command Line to learn how to use more free digital preservation tools and gain a deeper insight into digital preservation workflows.

Duration: 2 hours

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session. 

This webinar instructs participants on good practices for caring for oversized materials in their collections, including those made of paper (e.g. posters, maps, large books, architectural plans) and textiles (e.g. flags, quilts). Storage and handling methods will be covered in detail. Participants will gain a solid understanding of how to protect oversized collections and will receive a decision-making tree and a bibliography.

NEDCC also offers an in-person, hands-on workshop on caring for oversized collections that goes into greater detail than this one-hour webinar. If you are interested in receiving a cost proposal, please contact us at info@nedcc.org.

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

Scrapbooks document personal moments alongside local and national history. The variety of records and materials inside--and the myriad methods of fastening them to the page--pose significant preservation challenges. Participants will learn about the structure of scrapbooks, the types of materials commonly found in them, methods of attachment, implications for preservation and conservation, and how to provide the best level of care for scrapbook collections. Low-cost, in-house preservation approaches are included.  

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session. 

Historic collections often have many framed items not currently on display, including paintings, art on paper, and photographic prints, and even three dimensional objects and ephemera. These objects can be difficult to store safely, and prioritizing them for re-framing or other treatment can be difficult. This session will discuss common problems with framed objects, guidance for reframing, and safe, effective storage options for items in frames and unframed oversized items.

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

Close Info

Originally developed by Tim Walsh at Concordia University, this webinar covers the identification of various removable media and organizing workflows for capturing and ingesting the data contained on these media at collecting institutions. For the capture of data, we will touch on disk imaging and digital forensics, and go over some of the programs that are being used to extract, package, and manage data for collections. We conclude with considerations for choosing whether to complete projects in-house or with a vendor.

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.

Many audiovisual and moving image collections are at risk due to their material instability and the ever-growing issue of technological obsolescence. While reformatting is a valuable tool for both preservation and access, preserving the original objects nevertheless remains important.  Perhaps the most important action that archivists can take to guarantee the long-term preservation of audiovisual objects is to ensure that they are held in the proper storage conditions. This webinar provides an introduction and overview of best storage practices. It will identify appropriate packing and storage containers and include a detailed discussion of proper environmental standards. Formats covered during the webinar will include magnetic tape, motion picture film, and photographs. It is suitable for both new and experienced professionals and will be taught by Jean-Louis Bigourdan, Senior Research Scientist at the Image Permanence Institute.

Duration: 90 minutes

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.

All too often researchers look to archivists and librarians for information regarding complex copyright law and fair use policies. This two-part webinar course aims to arm library and information professionals with a working knowledge of concepts relating to copyright and intellectual property, specifically as they relate to audiovisual collections, which present particular challenges. The webinar will begin at an introductory level—offering a basic discussion of copyright law, the public domain, and the implications for collections. The second webinar will be a “deep dive” into some of the broad concepts that are presented in Session 1. Issues such as creator and transfer rights and open access will be addressed. No previous knowledge of copyright law is required. Session 1 will be taught by Hope O’Keeffe, Associate General Counsel at the Library of Congress and Session 2 will be taught by Greg Cram, Associate Director of Copyright and Information Policy at the New York Public Library.

Duration: 90 minutes

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.

All too often researchers look to archivists and librarians for information regarding complex copyright law and fair use policies. This two-part webinar course aims to arm library and information professionals with a working knowledge of concepts relating to copyright and intellectual property, specifically as they relate to audiovisual collections, which present particular challenges. The webinar will begin at an introductory level—offering a basic discussion of copyright law, the public domain, and the implications for collections. The second webinar will be a “deep dive” into some of the broad concepts that are presented in Session 1. Issues such as creator and transfer rights and open access will be addressed. No previous knowledge of copyright law is required. Session 1 will be taught by Hope O’Keeffe, Associate General Counsel at the Library of Congress and Session 2 will be taught by Greg Cram, Associate Director of Copyright and Information Policy at the New York Public Library.

Duration: 90 minutes

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.

Oral histories, which are nearly ubiquitous in archival and cultural heritage collections, capture first-hand accounts of their subjects and are particularly valuable resources as they often record the histories and memories of underrepresented people and groups. However, oral history interviews may be maintained on a variety of media formats (both analog and digital), which can make them daunting to care for. This 90-minute webinar will offer guidance to those archivists charged with maintaining these important recordings and will present a workflow—from beginning to end—for how best to process, preserve, and make accessible oral history materials. The webinar will also introduce some important concepts that are particular to oral history collections, including conversations on ethical considerations, the use of outside vendors, and the role of transcription and index tagging. This is a beginner-level webinar and previous experience processing oral history and/or audiovisual collections is not required. The course will be taught by Mary Larson, Associate Dean for Special Collections at Oklahoma State University Library and former President of the Oral History Association and Sarah Milligan Associate Professor and Head of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at Oklahoma State University.

Duration: 90 minutes

Close Info

PLEASE NOTE: After purchase allow 24-48 hours to receive a login and password to access this webinar session.

What can institutions that house audiovisual collections do to mitigate their environmental impact while also preserving their collections according to professional best practices? This important question is one that preoccupies Linda Tadic, CEO of Digital Bedrock.  This webinar will explore the relationship between AV collections, digital storage, and the environment. In particular it will cover how things such as staff actions, technology choices, and environmental planning can enable archivists to care for their collections responsibly. Webinar attendees will leave with a working knowledge of and a vocabulary pertaining to the relationship between the responsible custody of collections and the larger environment in which we live. No previous knowledge of the subject is required. The webinar will be taught by Linda Tadic, CEO of Digital Bedrock and former AMIA President.

Duration: 90 minutes

Close Info

Preservation is an underlying responsibility of any collections caretaker, whether you are an archivist, a public librarian, a family collector, or anyone in between. Preservation has a lot to do with knowing your collections and prioritizing the materials that need the most help to survive. This webinar will discuss preservation activitiesthat require no additional funding or supplies, including collection management, assessment ofstorage environment, care and handling practices, and emergency preparedness.

Duration: 1 hr.

Close Info

Duration: 1 hr.

Close Info

NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are relatively easy to apply for and have launched successful preservation projects and programs in institutions across the country. Be ready for the January 15, 2020 deadline! This webinar focuses on eligibility requirements, the application review process, scoping the project and preparing the grant narrative, and getting requisite information from consultants. Time will be included for Q&A.

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

Early record books contain important historical information that must be preserved for current and future generations. Proper care and maintenance of these records is required to ensure long term access to this information.  This webinar will discuss how to identify different types of early records that you may have in your collection and special considerations for their storage and handling, provide an overview of available preservation strategies, and outline how to find and work with a qualified vendor.

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

Caring for digital collections can be a complex undertaking which involves many decisions about policies and responsible stewardship. A digital preservation assessment can help document the decision making process and the rationales behind our policies and activities. In this free webinar, you will learn about the framework for a digital preservation assessment and how it can help sustain our digital collections care. The information in this session will also cover resources and grants available to perform this activity, and will be useful for cultural heritage institutions of all sizes that are looking for resources for caring for digital collections. This program is one of the products of the Digital Preservation Assessment Training grant, funded by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Duration: 17 minutes

Close Info

This webinar introduces participants to the key considerations of writing a preservation plan, an essential tool for coordinating preservation activities over time.  Participants will learn about the steps of preservation planning, including assessment, prioritization, and the identification of resource needs.  Different types of assessment for preservation planning will also be discussed as well as how to communicate the value of preservation planning to all stakeholders involved.  Participants will also leave having seen a sample preservation plan. 

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

PRESERVATION WEEK FREE WEBINAR

As members of the cultural heritage community, we want our collections and activities to reflect all people in our communities . Hosting a community scanning day is an interactive, participatory way to collect--and digitize--memories from our communities for the sake of documenting our own history. However, a lot of planning goes into hosting one, with a set of logistics consider, as well as selecting equipment, determining access and delivery systems of scanned content, and ensuring the rights to view and disseminate information online. This webinar provides an overview of each of these tasks and will help you organize your next event.

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info

PRESERVATION WEEK FREE WEBINAR

Looking for creative fundraising ideas for your book conservation project or other conservation / preservation initiative? Join us for tips on developing an Adopt-a-Book, or Adopt-an-Artifact program, using web content, crowdfunding, and social media. We’ll provide examples of successful initiatives and give you a check-list to follow, as well as resources to help with your fundraising efforts.

Duration: 45 Minutes

Close Info

Duration: 1 hour

Close Info