Connecting to Collections  is a federal grant project administered by the  North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.  NCDCR was awarded a 2009/2010 planning grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to formulate a plan of action to assist the state’s archives, museums, library special collections and historic sites with traditional preservation of collections and disaster preparedness and response.

The NC ECHO Project visited North Carolina’s cultural heritage institutions and conducted a needs assessment survey.   Survey findings show that collections preservation and disaster preparedness are universal concerns.  The Connecting to Collections project will address these concerns and assist North Carolina’s institutions in facilitating deeper partnerships and planning for sustainable, long-term success in these activities.

The Connecting to Collections Project planning grant activities include three regional forums to bring together staff and volunteers from institutions across the state to explore ways that the project can assist in collections care.  An online re-survey of institutions is being conducted to augment the data collected in the initial NC ECHO Survey.  Additionally, a database of collections preservation and disaster preparedness tools will be created as well as a database of geolocation information for every institution which can be used to assess risk in a natural disaster situation.

IMLS offers implementation grants to carry out the activities designated by the Connecting to Collections Working Group.  NCDCR will submit an application for a 2010/2011 implementation grant.  To be successful, the project needs your support and input.  Please attend one of the regional forums and complete the survey of institutions.

Have questions? Contact the Connecting to Collections Project Manager, LeRae Umfleet at LeRae.Umfleet@ncdcr.gov