The California Preservation Program sponsors a variety of training and workshop opportunities, described below. These workshops enjoy partial sponsorship from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Getty Foundation, and the California State Library (LSTA).
- Protecting Cultural Collections: Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Response & Recovery
- ARE YOU READY? Scenario Planning & Collaboration Among Cultural Institutions to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Collections
- Grantwriting for Preservation Projects To Enhance Collection Care
Archived Webcasts, Online, and Infopeople Workshops
- Writing a Disaster Response Plan (Heritage Preservation webinar series)
- Basic Hands-On Book Repair for Libraries (Infopeople workshop)
- Intermediate Hands-On Book Repair for Libraries (Infopeople workshop)
- Before Disaster Strikes: Ten Things You Need to Know (Archived webcast-audio only)
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Download slide set (pdf).
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Protecting Cultural Collections: Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Response & Recovery
The “Protecting Cultural Collections” workshop is two days in length; Day 1 and Day 2 are scheduled 8-12 weeks apart. Participants will prepare short assignments prior to the first session; between sessions, they will undertake additional assignments resulting in a completed disaster plan at the end of Part 2.
Workshop goals:
- Prepare a written disaster response plan for the collections
- Set pre- and post-disaster action priorities
- Learn how to train staff to implement your plan effectively
- Learn how to use practical decision-making skills during an emergency
- Experience with salvage procedures for books, documents, and non-print media
Who should attend:
Administrators and staff responsible for emergency preparedness, response and decision-making, in all types of cultural institutions. By registering for the workshop, the institution commits to supporting the attendee(s) to achieve the workshop’s disaster preparedness goals. When possible, please send two attendees from an institution so they can work together on the disaster preparedness activities.
Cost: No charge to the institution.
Upcoming workshops
See Upcoming Events for upcoming workshops and registration.
For general & content information contact Julie Page, jpage@calpreservation.org
ARE YOU READY? Scenario Planning & Collaboration Among Cultural Institutions to Improve Disaster Preparedness for Collections
Okay, now you have a plan, but do you know how well it will work in a real disaster situation? It’s better to find answers now than after a disaster has occurred!
Goals of the “ARE YOU READY?” workshop:
- Test emergency preparedness & response plans and identify areas for improvement
- Identify mechanisms for collaborative partnerships
- Improve participants’ ability to evaluate risks (via a pre-workshop self-survey)
- Encourage participants to improve disaster preparedness
Who should attend:
When possible, send 2-3 participants from your institution to work together on disaster preparedness activities:
- Staff member(s) responsible for emergency preparedness
- Administrator and/or manager responsible for the building/collection
- Key members of the emergency/disaster team responsible for decision-making
Requirements for Attendance:
A written disaster plan that includes collections response/recovery; a letter of institutional commitment to explore collaboration to optimize preparedness; and a completed 3-page vulnerability assessment (distributed 3 weeks before workshop).
Cost: No charge to the institution.
Upcoming workshops
See Upcoming Events for upcoming workshops and registration.
For general & content information contact: Julie Page jpage@calpreservation.org
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Grantwriting for Preservation Projects To Enhance Collection Care
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Outlined a preservation project proposal specific to their institution
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Identified possible funding sources
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Tested their ideas with other workshop participants
Who should attend:
Administrators and staff responsible for care of the collection in all types of libraries and archives, with an emphasis on small-to-medium sized institutions without preservation grant writing experience. By registering for the workshop, the institution commits to supporting the attendee(s) to achieve the workshop’s goals to develop and submit proposals for preservation projects to enhance collection care. When possible, TWO attendees from an institution should attend so they can work together on project development.
Requirement for Attendance:
Completion of a questionnaire on collection vulnerability sent out in advance of the workshop.
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Basic Hands-On Book Repair for Libraries
Presented by Infopeople with the cooperation of the California Preservation Program. For complete description, registration, and dates and locations of planned workshops, see Infopeople.
The price of books has gone up, binding quality can be inconsistent, and in the course of repeated circulations, day-to-day handling and shelving, and photocopying, library books can sustain significant damage. However, there is an alternative to replacing “hurt” volumes. Many books can be restored to reasonably good condition if you know how to perform a few simple repairs.
In this course, you will learn how to assess book damage, how to identify which books can be repaired safely, and how to perform basic book repairs. If you, or someone you supervise, is responsible for caring for the condition of your collection, then this course can save you time and help you get those library materials back into users’ hands.
Workshop Description: This one-day hands-on workshop covers basic, beginners’ level skills for keeping a circulating collection of books in good repair. Participants will gain an understanding of the types of repairs to undertake, how to do the repairs, and the types of damage that need to be addressed by other means. Through discussion, presentation, and actual repair work you will become familiar with the basic book repairs that you can do with simple tools, equipment and materials. All hands-on steps will be clearly illustrated and everyone will practice doing the repairs.
Additionally, you will receive handouts to explain the repairs, a list of suppliers, copies of articles addressing the above topics, where to find information on the web, a bibliography of useful books and other printed material.
Note: This course addresses only repairs and maintenance of general circulating collections, and is not meant for preservation of special or specialized materials.
Who Should Attend: This course is designed for librarians and support staff who work in public, school and college libraries. Any library staff member who is responsible for the physical treatment of books, who is interested in basic book repair, and feels confident in working with simple tools, such as mat knives, scissors, brushes and adhesives is encouraged to attend.
Intermediate Hands-On Book Repair Workshop
Presented by Infopeople with the cooperation of the California Preservation Program. For complete description, registration, and dates and locations of planned workshops see here.
Would you like to know what can be done to put the damaged books in your collections back into circulation? How about a quick lesson in the chemistry and physics of materials to give you the confidence you need to assess the condition of a book and then perform the appropriate repairs? Come and review your basic skills and learn new techniques to supplement your book repair repertoire.
Workshop Description: This one-day, intermediate workshop builds on and extends the fundamentals acquired at the basic book repair workshop, which covered general maintenance, damage assessment and easy repairs to spines, hinges and torn or unattached leaves. In the intermediate workshop, we will review the basics of working with paper and binding structures, then tackle more structurally challenging repairs, such as repairs to flat-back bindings. The intermediate workshop will introduce new skills such as sewing, humidification, and flattening, and the preparation and use of Japanese paste. All hands-on steps will be clearly demonstrated and practiced by workshop participants. There will also be opportunities to share stories and troubleshoot questions about your own collections.