Bonaparte selected to attend National Conservation Forum “Preserving America’s Diverse

January 10, 2008, Washington, DC—Sheree Bonaparte, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, has been selected to attend a national forum, January 31- February 1, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia on “Preserving America’s Diverse Heritage.” She is one of 30 representatives of small and medium-sized collecting institutions nationwide invited to participate based on their leadership in the profession and in their communities.

More than 250 national conservation leaders, government officials, and museum, library, and archives professionals will take part in the forum focusing on culturally diverse American collections.   It will be held at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.

Sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and organized in cooperation with Heritage Preservation, the event will underscore the perils that endanger the books, works of art, documents, and historically significant materials specific to African American, Native American and Latino collections.

“Our nation’s treasures are visited billions of times a year in libraries and museums across the country.  Those representing some of our diverse cultures are essential to education and innovation, and yet their future is at risk,” said IMLS Director Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD. “Since these collections present unique conservation challenges we see this forum as a call to action for the special care these treasures need in order to endure for future generations.”

“Preserving America’s Diverse Heritage,” will address issues facing unique collections, such as the handling of culturally sensitive objects, caring for oral history archives, the special needs of photographs and audio-visual materials, and the difficulties in attracting funding. The forum will provide both information and inspiration to help participants care for significant collections and mobilize support in their communities.

The forum is part of IMLS’s multi-year, multi-faceted national program, Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action. It will be the first of a series of four national forums, to be held in 2008 and 2009, called the National Tour.

The meetings are designed to raise awareness among leaders of small and mid-sized museums and libraries about the importance of collections care and to give them practical information,

tools, and resources to inspire action nationwide.

The forum is open to museum, library and archives professionals.  Information is available at:

http://www.imls.gov/collections/tour

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit http://www.imls.gov

About Heritage Preservation

Heritage Preservation is the national organization dedicated to preserving our nation’s heritage. Its members include libraries, museums, archives, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservation organizations and other professional groups concerned with saving the past for the future. For more information, please visit: http://www.heritagepreservation.org