
We're excited to announce that applications are open for Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) Planning & Assessment Services, and the next submission deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025.
Offered at no cost to qualifying New York State collecting institutions, Planning & Assessment Services connect organizations with DHPSNY specialists to assess preservation practices, deliver tailored recommendations, and develop actionable plans uniquely suited to your organization’s needs.
We are accepting applications for the following services for consideration in the spring 2025 review period:
- Preservation Surveys: Comprehensive evaluations of preservation needs, addressing areas like building conditions, collections care, and emergency preparedness.
- Condition Surveys: A detailed assessment of preservation needs for a specified set of materials; for organizations that have already completed a Preservation Survey.
- Archival Needs Assessments: Holistic reviews of archival programs, covering collections management and administration.
- Strategic Planning Assistance: Guidance from a trained facilitator to develop a three-year strategic plan.
Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a program of the New York State Archives and New York State Library to provide service and support for the state’s archival and library research collections.
The New York State Library’s Division of Library Development is excited to announce two scheduled webinars for February in celebration of Black History Month. Please read on for descriptions and registration details.
The Handbook of Black Librarianship – Past, Present, and Future
The Handbook of Black Librarianship was first published in 1977, intended to “provide reference information on the relationship of Afro-Americans to various aspects of librarianship and libraries.” Compiled and edited by E.J. Josey during his time as Chief of the Bureau of Specialist Library Services for the New York State Library, this volume provided resources for developing African/Afro-American collections, program guidance for serving Black youth, directories of library school programs primarily attended by Black students, and essays from Black educators, writers, librarians, and more. A second edition was published in 2000, adding to and updating the first volume.
A third edition has just been published, edited by Andrew "Sekou” Jackson, Marva L. Deloach, and Michele Fenton. Beyond updating previous volumes, the new edition adds over 70 new essays on Vital Issues, Service to Our Communities, Library Technology, Wisdom from Retirees, Global Issues, and Banned Books and Censorship. In this webinar, you will hear from the editors about their relationship to the Handbook, how this edition came to be, and how you can use it to engage with your library and its community.
Register for The Handbook of Black Librarianship
The Journey to Freedom Project – Preserving Local Stories from the Civil Rights Movement
The Journey to Freedom project has recorded the stories of women and men from the Capital Region of New York who participated in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Many traveled to the segregated Deep South. Others were active in their home communities. All worked to advance social justice. Their stories highlight the powerful impact that regular folks can have in effecting change, and the importance of documenting the histories of everyday heroes.
Siena College professor Dr. Paul Murray and co-producer educator Donald Hyman worked with videographers Kirk Daniels and Zebulon Schmidt to record and make publicly available the histories of 15 activists. Attendees of this webinar will learn the history of this project, its development process, and ways they can undertake similar projects in their home communities.
Register for The Journey to Freedom Project: Preserving Local Stories from the Civil Rights Movement
Both sessions will be recorded for later viewing by those unable to attend live; to receive the recording link, please register and it will be automatically sent to you. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these events, please reach out to Tor Loney at tor.loney@nysed.gov.