Call for applications--IPI WebERA project

Call for applicants

Image Permanence Institute Call for Applicants to Participate as
Research partners in IMLS-Funded WebERA Project

Research partners are needed to work with the Image Permanence
Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology to develop WebERA - a
unique web-based system for analyzing and managing environmentally
induced deterioration of collections.

The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) is calling for applications
from U.S. museums and libraries to participate as research partners
to test the design and function of WebERA. This novel web-based
system for environmental risk analysis and collection storage
quality ranking will enable collections care staff to efficiently
manage large volumes of environmental data using preservation
metrics and automated analysis. The premise behind the project is
that environmental risks can be mitigated once they are identified,
quantified, and communicated to facilities managers and institution
administrators. The WebERA concept has evolved through thirteen
years of environmental research and development at IPI.

Ten U.S. museums and five U.S. libraries will be selected for the
project based on representation from a variety of institutional
types, sizes, and geographical settings. We are also looking for a
broad representation of job titles as well - not conservators only.
Final selections will be made in January 2007. Research partners can
expect to commit up to 25 work days to the project between December
2007 and May 2009. Activities and estimated time requirements are as
follows:

    Nov/Dec 2007        Apply to participate, complete questionnaire
                        1 day

    Jan/March 2008      Prepare institutional background information
                        2 to 3 days

    March 2008          Travel to a two-day meeting in Rochester, NY
                        3 days

    April 08/March 09   Place loggers, collect data five times a
                        year, review data quarterly
                        4 to 6 days

                        Participate in web-log discussions over
                        one year,

                        one topic every two months
                        6 to 9 days

    May 2009            Travel to a two-day meeting in Rochester, NY
                        3 days

Our partners will receive (free of charge) IPI's new PEM2 standalone
dataloggers for their monitoring needs (an average of 20 per
institution). Maintaining the reliability and accuracy of the
original PEM (Preservation Environment Monitor), the PEM2 will
upload data using any USB flash memory drive, and can run for seven
years on a set of four AA batteries. We need you to interact with
IPI as a series of key features and functions are programmed and
added to WebERA for use and evaluation. A web-log will be the avenue
for feedback and tech support.

Near the end of the project IPI will prepare an Environmental Risk
Assessment Final Report for each partner, including analysis,
collection risk assessment, input about mechanical system functions,
and suggestions for improvement to preservation quality.

Learn more about the WebERA project and apply to participate online
at:

 <URL:http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/shtml_sub/weberainfo.asp>
 <URL:http://imagepermanenceinstitute.org/webera/>

The deadline for application is January 15, 2008.  For general
inquiries about the project please contact Patricia Ford at IPI by
email at pafpph [at] rit__edu pafpph [at] rit__edu or phone 585-475-2843.

Funding for "Research and Development for Web-Based Environmental
Risk Analysis (WebERA)" is provided by the Institute of Museum and
Library Services, an independent, grant-making agency of the federal
government. Only institutions within the United States will be
considered for participation in this federally-funded project.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:33
                Distributed: Wednesday, December 5, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-33-011
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