Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York

Celebrate Revolutionary history in your own backyard with the help of a new comprehensive guide from the NYS Library!

New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners provides a practical framework, offering information and support materials for libraries and cultural institutions interested in developing public programs for the 250th commemoration.

Organized into three sections, the guide provides best practices, showcases examples of programs, and offers ways to stay connected. Turnkey event ideas are categorized by time commitment, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to find options that fit their capacity.

Download the guide today! Visit: http://purl.nysed.gov/nysl/1588653230

We're hiring! DHPSNY is seeking a full-time Preservation Specialist to support cultural organizations across New York State! Candidates with archival preservation or preventive conservation training and experience working in archives, libraries, museums, or historic sites are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include conducting preservation surveys and writing reports, developing and presenting workshops and webinars, and collaborating with organizations to strengthen the long-term care of historical collections.

Candidates must reside in New York State or the greater Philadelphia area, and the position requires frequent travel within/to New York State. Candidates should have a Master’s degree in archives, preservation, or preventive conservation and a minimum of two years' experience working in a library, archive, museum, or historic site.

Priority will be given to applications received by Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Read more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4xpzns3



📸 Preservation Education Specialist Kate Jacus with Sophie Clough and Tabitha Scoville from the Cortland County Historical Society reviewing photographs in storage during a Preservation Assessment.

There's only about a month left to apply for the next round of DHPSNY Planning & Assessment services! These services are available to non-profit cultural institutions in New York State with historical records and/or library research materials, with programs to preserve these records and make them publicly accessible.

If that sounds like your institution, consider applying for one of DHPSNY's Planning & Assessment tracks by July 10:
Archival Needs Assessments: Holistic reviews of archival programs, covering collections management and administration.

Preservation Surveys: Comprehensive evaluations of preservation needs, addressing areas like building conditions, collections care, and emergency preparedness.

Condition Surveys: A detailed assessment of preservation needs for a specified set of materials; for organizations that have already completed a Preservation Survey.

Strategic Planning Assistance: Guidance from a trained facilitator to develop a three-year strategic plan.

Learn more about Planning & Assessment services and apply here: https://dhpsny.org/planning-assessment

📸 From left, Maija McLaughlin, Local History & Special Collections Librarian; Laurie Heyboer, Adult Services & Special Collections Librarian; Kate Jacus, DHPSNY Preservation Specialist; Heather Matzel, Executive Director. Reviewing the Matilda Joslyn Gage Civil War scrapbook in the Local History archives at the Fayetteville Free Library during a Preservation Survey.

Excited to connect with regional libraries at the Southern Tier Library System Spring CE event in Corning today! If you are attending today, please stop by DHPSNY's table to learn more about our free services for New York State.

🎉 We recently celebrated DHPSNY's ten year anniversary!

In the last ten years, DHPSNY has provided free services, such as planning & assessment services and educational programming across New York State. In honor of this anniversary, the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts celebrated with some cake, and some kind words from Director of Preservation Services, Dyani Feige. We're excited to continue to provide free services throughout the state for many more years!

🔎 Can you spot the Ten Agents of Deterioration in your own collections spaces? Our latest DHPS Tips blog explores what risks like water, pests, light, and dissociation actually look like during a collections walkthrough — and how small observations can help shape preservation priorities.

Continue learning about risks to your collections with our free Introduction to Risk Assessment for Cultural Collections webinar on June 16 or take a deeper dive through our Understanding Risk to Protect Collections workshops in Schenectady and NYC. Register soon — Schenectady workshop registration closes tomorrow (5/28)! Register for upcoming programs and read more on the DHPSNY blog: https://bit.ly/4wJweTI

DHPSNY staff members Kate Jacus and Kate Philipson were grateful to represent DHPSNY at The Museum Association of New York 2026 Annual Conference earlier this month at the New York State Museum.

We enjoyed connecting with colleagues from museums, historical societies, libraries, and archives across New York State and hearing about the many preservation, collections care, and digitization projects happening throughout the state.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to share ideas, ask questions, and learn more about DHPSNY’s free services and educational programs!

Don't miss this year's virtual New York Archives Conference and and in-person Watch Parties on Friday, June 5!

offers a FREE opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore presentations on current topics, emerging practices, and projects relevant to archives, libraries, and collecting institutions. In addition to the virtual conference, 10 local Watch Parties across the state provide opportunities to gather in person while learning alongside peers from across New York via Zoom.

Some of the DHPSNY team will be attending the University of Rochester Watch Party, and we'd love to connect with fellow attendees there. If Rochester isn't nearby, there may be another Watch Party location near you.

Learn more and register at nyarchivists.org.

New York Archives Conference New York Archives Conference Now Open: Registration for the 2026 New York Archives Virtual Conference NYAC will be having its annual (free) virtual conference on Friday, June 5th, 2026! Our conference program is listed below. Link to Register NYAC Watch Parties Want to get out of your house, meet fr...

Buffalo and Western NY! There’s still time to register for our Buffalo Risk Assessment Workshop.

Registration has been extended through May 23 for this free, hands-on workshop focused on identifying and prioritizing risks to cultural collections.

Participants will explore practical approaches to evaluating collections spaces, recognizing common preservation risks, and making informed decisions about where to focus time and resources for the greatest impact.
📍 Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (Buffalo)
📅 Wednesday, May 27
🕙 10am–4pm
🎟 Free to attend

Presented by Maddie Cooper, Owner and Preventive Conservator, M.C. Conservation Services.

🔗 Registration: https://bit.ly/3Pu1aXe