[NHCOLL-L:2392] Image Permanence Institute Call for Applicants

[Hamann, Barbara]

Dear List:

I am forwarding this message on behalf of the Image Permanence Institute
(IPI).  If you have any questions about the project, or if you would like to
request an application, please contact IPI at the phone number or email
address provided at the end of the message.

Barbara Hamann
Section of Conservation
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Co-Chair, Conservation Committee, SPNHC

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Environmental Monitoring and Preservation Management Research at the Image
Permanence Institute
Beginning in the early 1990's, IPI became interested in environmental
approaches to preservation management. The first major development was a
temperature and relative humidity recording device called the Preservation
Environment Monitor® (PEM). Next, IPI developed a Windows®-based computer
program known as Climate Notebook Environmental Analysis Software®. Nearly
200 institutions from all over the US participated in a Field Trial of the
PEM and Climate Notebook from 2000-2004. Development and testing of these
tools and services was made possible by grants from the National Endowment
for the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, the Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The emphasis
on environment as a major element of preservation management continues at
IPI, where several projects are currently underway. One of the most
important is described below.
Based on the success of the Field Trial, IPI has received funding from the
National Endowment for the Humanities for a follow-up project entitled
Training and Implementation for Effective Use of Environment in Collections
Preservation (2004-2006). The goal of this project to offer basic and
advanced training on the use of the environmental assessment tools
previously tested. IPI will provide hardware, software, and services free of
charge to selected institutions in an effort to explore the best ways to
help cultural institutions implement and conduct effective environmental
monitoring programs.
There are three approaches, each designed for a specific group of
participants. Each approach represents a unique way for cultural
institutions to get an environmental monitoring project started and to get
real results from such a project.
I. Advanced Training for Field Trial I Participants (limited to 35
institutions in the US who were part of the original project). Training will
be expanded for institutions already evaluating the preservation
environment, to include more information on HVAC systems, regional climate,
data comparisons, report preparation, etc.
II. Environmental Analysis Service (limited to 20 institutions in the US).
IPI hopes to fully develop a cost effective Environmental Analysis Service
for institutions who want the benefits of environmental monitoring and
analysis but lack the staff, time and/or expertise to do the work on their
own. The service model will lead institutions through the process of
establishing an environmental monitoring program using the expertise of IPI
staff to expedite the learning process. Participants must be affiliated with
a non-profit institution with a collection. IPI will lend the hardware for
data collection, prepare summary data reports quarterly and a comprehensive
assessment at the end of the year which includes detailed analysis of the
collections environment and specific recommendations for improvement.
III. Train the Trainers, for Preservation Service Providers (limited to 15
organizations). Our objectives are 1) to introduce service providers to the
approaches and technology that IPI has developed; 2) to provide them with
the necessary hardware and software to offer environmental monitoring as a
service to their clients, and 3) to learn from them how best to use the
technology in the context of the service they provide, and the needs of the
clients. We are looking for organizations that have an established client
base, offer a variety of preservation services, and are interested in
learning the methods developed by IPI for environmental analysis. These will
be organizations and individuals actively working with institutions on a
range of preservation issues, including collection storage and display
environments. Participation is open to regional conservation centers,
national and state government services, private conservators and
preservation educators.
If a qualified institution is interested in participating in Group II or
III, we invite them to learn more about the project at through this link:
<http://www.rit.edu/~661www1/sub_pages/8page21a.htm>.
Applications are also available online. Deadline for applications is
September 15, 2004. IPI can also be reached by phone at (585) 475-2843, or
send an e-mail to <mailto:fldtrial at rit.edu>.