May 8, 2017
K-State Libraries receives funding to preserve humanities collections
Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt
Kansas State University Libraries has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities to participate in the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts' 2017 Preservation Needs Assessment Program.
"NEH support will help to ensure that K-State Libraries' valuable collections receive the highest level of care," said Keli Rylance, head of special collections.
The Preservation Needs Assessment Program helps cultural heritage organizations make improvements in preserving and maintaining significant humanities collections. Funds will support a $5,000 environmental survey of the Richard L. D. and Marjorie J. Morse Department of Special Collections.
The purpose of the assessment is to review the department's preservation needs with regards to environment, housekeeping, pest control, fire protection, security, disaster preparedness, storage, handling, exhibition, treatment and preservation handling.
The Morse Department of Special Collections is home to the University Archives and nationally renowned consumer movement, cookery and agricultural history collections. Materials include the records of K-State presidents and the Consumer Federation of America, as well as the earliest known cookbooks printed in nearly every U.S. state and territory.