NCPC Preservation Grants

Preservation grants from the North Carolina Preservation Consortium (NCPC) are available to assist North Carolina libraries, archives, museums, historic sites, and record centers improve the preservation of their collections. These collections may include books, manuscripts, documents, journals, photographs, film, sound recordings, maps, architectural drawings, art, and artifacts. Maximum award is $2,000.00. Application deadline is January 15, 2008. Grants may be used to fund the following projects:

Preservation assessments

Applicants may request funding to hire a conservator, librarian, archivist, curator, or another appropriate consultant to conduct a general preservation assessment to contribute to a written preservation plan for the care of your collections. The consultant must visit your institution to assess policies, practices, and conditions affecting the care and preservation of collections and must prepare a written report that summarizes the findings and contains prioritized recommendations.

Collection assessments

Applicants may request funding to hire a conservator, librarian, archivist, curator, or another appropriate consultant to conduct a collection assessment to contribute to a written plan for the repair, conservation, storage, and care of your collections. The consultant may examine each item or examine a statistically valid sample of your collection. The consultant must prepare a written report that summarizes the condition of the collection and provide prioritized recommendations.

Preservation consultations

Applicants may request funding to hire a consultant to address preservation needs.

For example, consultants may provide advice for:

Preservation Project Work

Applicants may request funding to hire a qualified individual to do appropriate preservation work. For example, a person may be hired to accomplish finite projects such as:

Grantees are responsible for processing employment taxes, social security withholdings, and any applicable benefits.

Environmental monitoring equipment

Applicants may request funding to purchase environmental monitoring equipment (dataloggers, hygrothermographs, light meters). If the institution's staff does not have experience using the equipment, the application should include a request for training in the use and installation of the equipment and the interpretation of the monitoring data.

Storage furniture and enclosures

Applicants may request funding to purchase appropriate storage furniture and enclosures. If an institution's staff has limited experience in storing collections the institution should enlist the assistance of an appropriate consultant to provide guidance and training.

Tools and equipment for repair and conservation

Applicants may request funding to purchase tools and equipment for the repair and conservation of damaged material. The institution's staff must have appropriate training in collection repair and/or conservation depending on the nature of the material.

Conservation of collections

Applicants may request funding to pay a professional conservator to repair or restore damaged material of significant value. The conservator must be credentialed by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Education and Training

Applicants may request funding to send staff to workshops and courses that focus on the preservation of collections. Applicants may also request funding to hire a consultant to conduct onsite training for staff. Onsite workshops can be tailored to meet specific needs of the institution. Staff from neighboring organizations may also be invited to participate in onsite workshops.

Multiple Projects

Applicants may combine two or more project elements in a single application. For example, an applicant may request funds for a consultant to conduct a preservation assessment and an onsite preservation workshop for the institution's staff. In such cases, the consultant's letter of commitment should describe both the assessment and onsite workshop.

Institutions may apply for only one grant per year. An institution that has received a NCPC Preservation Grant may apply for another grant to support the next phase of its preservation efforts after successfully completing its initial grant project. For example, after completing a preservation assessment, an institution might apply to purchase storage supplies and cabinets to enclose a collection identified as a high priority. Subsequent proposals are considered new applications and evaluated by the same criteria as other applications.

NCPC Preservation Grants may not be used for:

Eligibility

Any library, archive, museum, historic site, record center, or other heritage organization in North Carolina may apply for a NCPC Preservation Grant. Priority will be given to institutional members of NCPC. Grants are not awarded to individuals.

Applicants must:

2007 Grant Recipients

2006 Grant Recipients

A list of the recent recipients of NCPC Preservation grants.

Submitting an Application

Institutions must complete the NCPC Preservation Grant Application (Word). The application must be postmarked by January 15, 2008 for submission in order to be considered for funding. Please mail application to:

NCPC Grant Program
North Carolina Preservation Consortium
P.O. Box 2651
Durham, NC 27715-2651

Sustainable Preservation


If you are interested in financially supporting the NCPC grant program become a preservation philanthropist.  Contribute to the preservation of educational, cultural, historical, and research collections in North Carolina libraries, archives, museums, and historic sites.  All donations, large and small, will contribute to our legacy of literature, history, heritage, and knowledge for present and future generations.  
Select Support NCPC.

Questions?

If you have questions about NCPC Preservation Grants please contact:
NCPC Executive Director.

last updated 12-13-07 | © 2007 North Carolina Preservation Consortium