[PADG:1009] Field trials for US Cultural Institutions

[Douglas Nishimura <dwnpph@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Press Release from the Image Permanence Institute

Invitation to Test New Environmental Assessment Technology for
Preservation

The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) seeks libraries, archives, and
museums in the USA to participate in a field trial of newly developed
preservation management technology. IPI will offer hardware, software,
and training free of charge to eighty different cultural organizations
under the terms of a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities. The purpose of the project is to test and refine a
computerized system for gathering and interpreting data on environmental

conditions in collection storage and display areas.

Participating institutions will receive two Preservation Environment
Monitors (PEMs) and a copy of the Climate Notebook software program. The

PEM is an advanced datalogger developed specifically for preservation
use in an earlier NEH-funded project. Climate Notebook is a
windows-based software application created by IPI with support from the
Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Climate Notebook offers advanced
interpretation and reporting capabilities for temperature and RH data
collected from a variety of devices. The hardware and software will be
given to participating institutions during a mandatory 1½ day training
session, four of which will be held in different locations across the
country. The field trial will last up to two years, beginning in fall
2000.

Responsibilities of field trial participants include:
- sponsorship of a staff representative  (travel and accommodation
expenses) to attend an initial training session
- written evaluation of the complete system
- willingness to share (anonymously) summary data on collection storage
environments
- good faith effort to advance the utility of the new technology

Deadline: Applications must be received by Sept 1, 2000.

Selection criteria: Selection of participating institutions will be
based on achieving a diversity of institutional types, sizes, geographic

locations, and existing preservation capabilities. Level of interest in
the project will also be a consideration. Successful applicants will be
notified by Sept. 15, 2000.

More information including the application form is available on the IPI
web site at: http://www.rit.edu/ipi

IPI contact information:

Image Permanence Institute
Rochester Institute of Technology
70 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5604
Phone: (716) 475 5199
Fax: (716) 475-7230
e-mail: IPIWWW@xxxxxxx