August 5, 2008 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCPL Receives Grant to Help Preserve Library Materials

SYRACUSE, NY — Onondaga County Public Library recently received a New York State Discretionary Grant for Conservation and Preservation of Library Research Materials totaling $4,757.  The grant funds are earmarked to purchase new high-tech air monitoring equipment and related software, along with a high end vacuum cleaner that can filter air.  OCPL was one of only 12 agencies, including museums and colleges, to receive the competitive grant awards.

The library will purchase approximately 10 environmental dataloggers which will be located throughout the library.  These monitors will report data on the environmental conditions of these locations to a computer located in Central Library’s Local History and Genealogy Department.  The digital monitors will replace the old hydrothermograph in the Department, which houses many unique materials that are old and fragile, and require a controlled environment for proper preservation.

Data will be analyzed by a computer program to provide information that will be helpful in determining the best temperature and humidity for library materials and people working in and using the library.   “Environmental monitoring is critical to our role as stewards of library materials.  Implementation of this plan is necessary for us to be eligible for other types of preservation and conservation funding as well,” said Doreen Milcarek, co-manager of Central Library.