|
Wednesday, 27 February 2008 |
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
WAPAKONETA — A local historical society will soon more easily preserve cherished artifacts for future generations thanks to a collection of conservation materials.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, the primary source of federal funding of America’s museums and libraries, in conjunction with the American Association for State and Local History, awarded the Auglaize County Historical Society a set of conservation books, DVDs and online resources to preserve items for prosperity.
Officials from the Auglaize County Historical Society was one of the first recipients in the country to receive one of 2,000 free sets, valued at approximately $800, during 2008.
They applied for the set in November 2007, and received notification last week that they would receive the collection by mail within the next two weeks.
“We applied right away, and we got it,” Administrator of the Auglaize County Historical Society Rachel Barber said. “I guess we made a good case.”
The set will be utilized at the former Wapakoneta Woman’s Club, located on South Main Street in Wapakoneta.
Barber said the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf contains fundamental information for the care of artifacts and the general principals to maintain a collection — knowledge that would help preserve the history of Auglaize County.
“Our mission is to share the history of Auglaize County, but we can’t do it if we don’t preserve it in the first place,” Barber said. “We want people to know where they come from. We’re telling the story of the entire county — if we don’t no one else will.”
Founded in 1963, the Auglaize County Historical Society owns four historic properties: the former Wapakoneta Woman’s Club, the Mooney Museum located on South Main Street in St. Marys, the former Olive Branch Church located at Shinbone, east of New Knoxville, and the Gary Log House located in the Auglaize County Fairgrounds. Each location is open to the public.
“These small libraries and museums are taking up the charge to care for America’s heritage,” Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice said. “A recent national study tells a sobering story about the state of America’s library and museum collections. Without immediate action we stand to lose important collections that are at the heart of the American story.”
The Institute of Museum and Library Services Bookshelf focuses on collections management and planning, emergency preparedness and culturally specific conservation issues.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums in the United States.
Its goal is to work with state and local organizations to develop strong libraries and museums and to preserve heritage, culture and knowledge for future generations.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 03 March 2008 )
|
