Capitalize on Collections Care
A P U B L I C A T I O N O F H E R I TA G E P R E S E R VA T I O N I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H E I N S T I T U T E O F M U S E U M A N D L I B R A R Y S E R V I C E S
Generate New Contributions
Increase Support
Foster New Audiences
Capitalize on Col
lections Care
If you are reading
this letter, you are
already passionate
ly committed to a
collection. Across
the country, peop
le like
you in museums, l
ibraries, archives, a
nd historical socie
ties are preserving
the objects that co
nstitute our herita
ge.
Whether they are
nationally recogn
ized or have local
significance, these
collections provid
e enjoyment and i
nspiration,
and they generate
community pride.
Educators use the
se collections as pr
imary resources fo
r teaching and lea
rning.
Scholars need them
to advance knowl
edge.
You know that th
ese collections are
deteriorating at a
rapid rate and th
at new funding re
sources are needed
if they
are to survive for f
uture generations.
We have issued th
is publication to sh
ow how care of co
llections can help
generate
increased support
for your institution
and advance its m
ission. This public
ation will also help
explain to admini
strators,
governing boards,
and other stakehol
ders that collection
s care responsibilit
ies need not be a p
erpetual drain on r
esources
but rather are an e
xciting opportunit
y for attracting ne
w support.
Conventional wisd
om says that dono
rs look for project
s with instant visib
ility and impact, s
uch as a new build
ing, a
rare acquisition, or
a dazzling special
exhibition. While
preservation and c
onservation happe
n mostly behind th
e scenes,
out of the public
eye, they have ma
ny qualities that a
re attractive to do
nors, funding age
ncies, and the pub
lic. They
produce results. T
hose results will h
ave a concrete, las
ting impact for ge
nerations to come
. And without pre
servation,
collections will be
lost forever.
Many institutions
are beginning to u
se conservation as
an opportunity to
reach new audien