You have not heard from me in quite some time, but I am still here at CDLC. As of July 1, 2014, we no longer have the contract for the Documentary Heritage Program, which is why I haven't been sending out any messages about archives-related topics. At the moment, there is no Documentary Heritage Program in New York State. Rest assured, though, a return of this program is planned. Here is the official word from the New York State Archives:
From Christine W. Ward, New York State Archivist and Chief Executive Officer of the Archives Partnership Trust:
Dear regional archivists and service provider directors,
We
are writing to let you know of changes that are planned for the
regional services portion of the New York State Archives Documentary
Heritage Program (DHP). Our aim is to move the DHP in a direction that
will bring the best quality and most comprehensive services to New
York's historical records community with the resources available to us.
DHP Regional Services
For
over 25 years the DHP regional services have provided technical
assistance and training through contracts between the New York State
Education Department (SED) and nine regional providers, which have
included seven 3Rs library councils, the Museum Association of New York,
and the Greater Hudson Heritage Network. We thank the organizations
that have contributed to the success of this program and advancements in
preservation and access for New York's heritage.
When the
contracts between the SED and these agencies expire on June 30, 2014,
there will be changes to the contractual process for operating this part
of the program. The DHP competitive grants program will not change and
will continue to be operated from the New York State Archives' central
offices.
Service Delivery Changes
Instead
of nine separate DHP contracts, the SED will seek a single, statewide
five-year contract to deliver a set of supports and educational services
for eligible archives, libraries, historical societies, museums, and
other institutions that hold historical records and/or library research
materials and operate programs to preserve them and make them
accessible. The contract will cover DHP services and also incorporate
elements of the New York State Library's Conservation/Preservation
Program.
Interim Assistance
Until
the new statewide contract is in place, the State Archives will provide
basic support to the historical records community through email and
phone communications and delivery of on-line resources. Repositories in
need of archival assistance may contact Pamela Cooley at the New York
State Archives (
pcooley@mail.nysed.gov,
(518) 474-5393) starting July 1 and until further notice. For
preservation-related assistance, organizations may continue to contact
Barbara Lilley at the New York State Library (
blilley@mail.nysed.gov, (518) 486-4864.
