Emerging Conservation Professionals Network

ECPN Meeting Notes 10-15-09

2009-10-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

ECPN Conference Call
October 15, 2009

Rachel Penniman
Ryan Winfield
Ruth Seyler
Katie Mullen
Anne Simon
Karen Pavelka
Jason Church

I. Welcome

II. Project Updates

1. Communications –

a. Conference Call – Ryan and Ruth say recognize that the calls are committee conference calls. People would still be invited to sit in and the call number is posted, but we won’t set out blasts. Issue and theme calls could be specially promoted and separate. These could include interviews, webinars, twitter conferences.

b. Museums Wiki – we’ve been asked through a comment on the blog to list ECPN here. Katie will post this.
http://museums.wikia.com/wiki/Online_communities

c. Effort to get calls for bloggers is ongoing. Ryan will look at analytics. Investigate with Anagpic to see if they will let us link from that site. Karen will get us a name to contact about the ANAGPIC website. One new possibility is to invite people who are doing posters for AIC to submit them as blog postings, but that is contingent upon how presenting the posters after the conference is over is being handled by the poster committee.

2. Outreach - Angels Project

a. Ruth has been contacting sites; other folks have also been assigned sites to contact. Karen has contacted Paul M. for information on scheduling. From the board’s point of view the Angels project is the most visible and important thing we’re doing. That said, not much can be done until the site is selected. What can we anticipate? One example is supplies – however, again, that will be contingent upon what Paul hands over in terms of scheduling. Jason asks, if the project can still be moved to a Saturday – Ruth says both the Tuesday and Saturday are viable dates at this point.

b.Mentoring program –
1.AIC staff did the matching this time, due to concerns about letting the information on the matching forms go out of the office. Next time around, we may designate one officer from the group, the board liaison and a staff member to do the matching, so that multiple perspectives are represented.

2. We need to come up with a list of criteria that can be tested to see if mentoring is successful. Possibilities are geographic area, specialty, and manner of communication. Contact the parties that are participating 3 months out and solicit feedback on whether the match is good for both the parties involved. Figure out how to adjust matching process based on this feedback. This information, not connected to names, can be shared with the group. We should allow people to apply as a mentor or mentee as they become interested in the program, and not set a yearly deadline to apply.

3. Lack of architectural conservators applying as mentors is a problem – two more mentors in this area are needed. Ryan has sent an email to be posted on their specialty group listserve, but is not sure if it has gone through. Karen suggests two people to contact, and Jason has the name of one architecture conservator who has definitely expressed interest in being a mentor.

c. Purchasing a Recorder – AIC’s lendable AV equipment lives with (the multimedia coordinator for AIC) Brett – the recorder will too. Jason will contact Ryan about creating a form for lending that includes a disclaimer that AIC retains ownership of any recording made with it.

3. Professional Development/Training

a. Rachel reports on behalf of Amber that Amber has been working w/ IIC on attracting submissions for a student poster session for their Istanbul conference. They will make their outreach effort to U.S. grad programs through ECPN.

b. Ryan will contact Amber about her questions on finalizing the survey. Survey Monkey can be used for the survey instrument.

III. New Business/Open Discussion
1. Amber Kerr may attend IAG on behalf of Rachel Penniman.

IV. Setting of next call and adjournment
Next call:
Thursday November 19th, 1PM.

ECPN Conference Call Minutes 9-17-09

2009-10-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

ECPN Open Conference Call
September 17, 2009

Present
Ruth Seyler
Ryan Winfield
Rachel Penniman
Karen Pavelka
Rose Daly
Anne Simon

I. Welcome

II. Project Updates

A. Communications

i. Guest Bloggers

Ryan has granted Katie admin status on the blogspot account in order to be able to add authors. To attract more bloggers, we need to brainstorm on incentives to post. Be more proactive about setting up a date to blog, so that it’s not on their back burner. Facebook posting has been good – what other ways are there to spread the blog? Maybe the people in the training advisory group can recruit their classmates – talk to Amber to see if we can’t ask in a welcome email to them that we’re looking for posters. Contact Dan Cull – see if he can share tips on how to get guest bloggers, or have suggestions on who to contact.

ii. Logos -
Get ourselves more branded. Try to tag posts. Logo needs to go by AIC board before they actually are used. Once posts are tagged we can ask for more submissions.

B. Outreach - Angels Project
Tony Rajer and Ruth Seyler have identified 5 potential sites. They in talks to pinpoint the final site, then we’ll move on to sponsorship and supply and the other issues. Karen Pavelka points out that this is the most important thing we’re doing from the group’s perspective. And it’s an enormous amount of work. Ruth will contact Paul Messier and see if he has a calendar/timetable set up based on his experience. Rachel Penniman asks what the group can do to help our more – Ruth says not to worry, there will be plenty to do once we get a site set up and a timeline in place.

C. Professional Development/Training
Karen Pavelka reports on behalf of Amber Kerr – no updates right now on PD/training.

D. 2010 budget
Ryan Winfield outlines the next budget
– travel to anagpic for chair $500
– travel to IAG for chair $500,
– Refreshments at annual meeting ECPN meeting $800.
– Possibly cost to rent mailing list from the college arts association to get out the fliers to relevant undergrad programs - will be minimal, probably $250. Or we can ask for money to print and then fall back on mailing list option.
– Check with Jason Church to see if we need budget for Audio Visual equipment.
This budget assumes that we won’t try for a workshop at the 2010 Annual Meeting. Deadline for all budget issues – October 1st. The Angels project has a separate budget. Ryan will draft a budget, and then it will be sent out to EPCN group officers for approval. The draft should be sent out by the end of next week.

III. New Business/Open Discussion
A. ICCROM– Amber is working with ICCROM to set up poster session.

B. Mentoring - Anne Simon says she and Angie would like help with matching participants and with logistics. Can there be another point person for the mentoring program? Discussion of the merits of trying to attract more participants to the mentoring program – Karen Pavelka points out that starting small is actually good. Match up who we can, and she will reach out to her contacts if more mentors are needed. We’ll do another blog post about mentoring, what a mentor can offer, so that potential mentors have a better sense of what they can offer and how to participate. Rachel Penniman and Katie Mullen will both help to get this off the ground and do whatever needs to be done – they will set up call with Ryan, Angie and Anne to get this sorted out.

IV Setting of next call and adjournment

October 15th, 1PM

A message will be sent out a day or two before the call with the phone #and pin #
No agenda requests will be sent out in the next meeting reminder in the hopes that more people will participate.

Winterthur Research Fellowship Program

2009-10-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Winterthur offers one to three month short term fellowships for academic, museum, and independent scholars, including graduate students. Fellows receive a stipend of $1500 per month. Applicants need not apply for a specific named fellowship, but they do designate certain awards as:

* Faith Andrews Fellowships for the study of Shaker life and material culture

* Robert Lee Gill Fellowships for research on American decorative arts, painting, architecture, or historic preservation

* Dwight P. Lanmon Fellowships for the study of glass and ceramics

* Neville McD. Thompson Fellowships for the study of domestic life, late 19th- and early 20th-century design and material culture

To Apply

1. Application Form: Complete the application cover sheet. If you are applying for a Dissertation Fellowship or a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, you may ask to have your application considered for a short-term research fellowship in the event that your primary application is not accepted.
2. Essay: Prepare an application essay of no more than 1,500 words that opens with a concise overview of the project and then addresses the following questions.
* What ideas, questions, or problems guide your project? If this is a new area of research, explain its significance in your discipline and field of study.
* What is distinctive about your project? How does it complement, expand, or challenge prior study in the field? Please be specific about prior scholarship that informs your work.
* What work do you plan to undertake at Winterthur? Why is a residence fellowship at Winterthur necessary for successful completion of your project?
3. Bibliography: Based on your searches of Wintercat (our online library catalogue), prepare a bibliography of no more than two pages of primary sources you plan to use at Winterthur. If you plan to use objects from the museum collection in your research, please provide a brief listing.
4. Vita: Provide a copy of your current vita.
5. References: Obtain two recent letters of reference addressing your previous scholarly record, your current project, and your ability to work with a collegial group. If you are a graduate student, one of these letters must come from your dissertation advisor. Please instruct your reference writers to e-mail their letters to the address below. Please ask that they put your last name and the word "reference" in the subject line. We prefer .pdf documents. Word documents are also acceptable.
6. E-mail the completed application package to the e-mail address below (cover sheet, essay, bibliography, and vita). Please put your name in the subject line.

researchapplication@winterthur.org
Subject: Your Name

Mailed copies are also acceptable, if necessary. Mailed copies must contain six copies of the completed application package (cover sheet, essay, bibliography, and vita) to the address below. Mailed letters of recommendation (one copy only) also should be sent directly to this address

Rosemary Krill
Administrative Assistant, Research Fellowship Program
Academic Programs
Winterthur Museum & Country Estate
Winterthur, DE 19735

The deadline for all research fellowship applications is January 7, 2009. Notice of acceptance is sent by mid-April.

Conservation Glossaries

2009-09-21T16:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, Katie and Rose – you’ve convinced me to answer the call!

Hello fellow ECPNers! Allow myself to introduce…myself. My name is Crista Pack and I am currently employed by the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis as their Conservation Technician. Some might find this odd considering that there are no conservators at the Eiteljorg…in fact there isn’t a conservation department or lab either. I’m it. I like to joke that I’m the head of the department and the lackey all rolled into one.

I’m at the Eiteljorg because two years ago they were awarded an

IMLS grant to conduct a condition survey of nearly 5,000 objects in their collection. The money is being used to bring in Conservators specializing in objects, textiles, paper, paintings, and sculpture. I get to work with these conservators to survey and photograph the objects and then enter this information into our database. It’s a great gig and I’m happy to have it.

However, today as I was entering my 2,437th survey into the database it occurred to me how nice it would be to have a conservator type sitting across the room who I could just shout out questions to spontaneously and then get an immediate response. Sure, I’m lucky to have Richard McCoy as my mentor extraordinaire…but he’s all the way across town at the IMA. And even though I imagine that he is usually just sitting by his phone, anxiously awaiting my phone calls - sometimes he’s not.

But, I digress. The point is, as a person still learning the field; I often have random questions about simple things. Like, what the heck does “skinning” mean when referring to a piece of paper? Or, what is the difference between cockling and buckling? What exactly is Silly Putty made of?

So, I turned to my trusty Google toolbar. I figured I would at least get hits on a half dozen dictionaries, and from those I should be able to decipher a conservation-related meaning for “skinning.” But I got something much better. I’m sometimes the last person to figure out tech/web-y things, so bear with me if you’ve known about these websites for years, but holy friggin’ cow…I feel like I hit the motherload today!

The first one is the Fine Arts Conservancy website:
http://www.art-conservation.org/glossary.htm

There you will find glossaries for paintings, works on paper, furniture, and decorative furniture elements. This is also where, by the way, I found my answer:

Skinning:
Excessive intervention resulting in losses of the original media; also called “over-cleaning”, or “excessive cleaning”.

Yay! Very handy. The only way the website could be any better is if they had a glossary for ethnographic objects. Which made me think, “hmm, what other glossaries might be out there?”

Well, in my search I found these gems:

Paintings: http://www.si.edu/MCI/english/learn_more/taking_care/painting_glossary.html

Scientific Research:

http://www.nga.gov/resources/scienceresearch/glossary.shtm

General: http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/treasures/glossary_of_terms.htm
(Go Nebraska!)

But the cream of the crop really has to be the MFA, Boston’s CAMEO website:
http://cameo.mfa.org/

I’ve heard of this one before and have used it a few times in the past….but I don’t think I truly appreciated just how great it really is. C’mon….any glossary that includes Silly Putty in its list of definitions with an IR spectrum of it has definitely got it going on:

Material Name: Silly Putty®
Description
[Binney & Smith] A bouncing, rubbery polymer developed in 1943 by James Wright at General Electric. Silly Putty® is made from silicone oil
polymerized by the addition of boric acid. Peter Hodgson gave the bouncing rubber the name Silly Putty® in 1950 when he introduced it at the International Toy Fair in New York. Binney & Smith purchased the rights to the product in 1971. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Silly Putty® was put on display in the Smithsonian Institution.
Synonyms and Related Terms: Potty Putty (Br.); Tricky Putty
Hazards and Safety: May leave silicone oil residue on contacted surfaces.
Additional InformationSilly Putty: Website

IR spectrum of silly puttyTransmission spectrum. Sample prepared on zinc
selenide crystal. Credit: Infrared Spectroscopy Lab, Analytical Answers, Inc.,
Woburn, MA.

Surely, there must be others out there. If you have websites that you use regularly, or that you’ve heard of, please post them here! I would love to find out what other resources people in the field regularly use.

Of course, it still might be nice to at least have a cardboard cutout of a conservator I can prop up on my back wall. I’ve been thinking about adding this paper conservator to the department:

She was posted by

Rachel on the ECPN blog before and I’ve been told that she kind of resembles a mini-me. Frankly, I don’t think my head is quite that square.

http://www.luzrasante.com/la-conservacion-un-juego-de-ninos/

The Emerging Leaders Network Survey

2008-05-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Two very active members of the Emerging Leaders Network, Rachel Penniman and Laura Brill, have drafted a survey in order to gauge the best direction in which we should take this group. Many of you received a draft copy of this survey. If you did not, please e-mail Ryan Winfield at rwinfield@aic-faic.org for a copy. The survey is a work in progress, so please feel free to read through the survey and put your comments and suggestions here. We will gather and consider all these additions and changes before sending the survey to the wider membership.

Another Logo Possibility

2009-02-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

Here's another version of the logo that we could use. Let everyone know what you think!

Logo!

2009-02-05T07:09:00.001-08:00

Chris Watters has submitted the first possibility for a logo for the ECPN!

What do you think?

Thanks Chris!

Two more Logos from Crista Pack!

2009-02-12T20:54:00.000-08:00

WUDPAC Portfolio Day

2009-09-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

October 7, 2009 from 3:30-7 PM at Winterthur Museum

Students interested in applying to the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUPAC) should not miss this insightful career opportunity. On October 7, 2009, the program will host its annual Portfolio Day, in which the entering class of graduate students shares their pre-program experiences, art work, and résumés. Students will be able to engage with graduate students. Potential applicants are welcomed to ask the current conservation fellows questions and get an idea of the process involved in applying to graduate school for art conservation. Faculty will also be on hand to answer questions.

http://www.artcons.udel.edu/news/2009/07/03/Fall_Art_Conservation_Portfolio_Day_

CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP

2009-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Peter J. Sharp Internship in the Library Conservation Department at The New-York Historical Society is designed to provide an opportunity for practical hands-on training in book and paper conservation at an intermediate level. This internship is for individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree and who have 1-2 years of practical experience working in book and paper conservation, or for students currently enrolled in a formal conservation training program.

Interns will undertake and complete a project based on their interests and skills and the needs and capabilities of the Conservation Department. At the end of the internship period, the intern will be required to produce a written report and possibly deliver a presentation of their work.

To apply for this internship, please submit the following:

A detailed letter of interest that indicates the specific department(s) with which you would like to be placed;

A current resume;

Three professional recommendations;

A five to ten page academic writing sample;

Please note: An interview with the Senior Conservator is required (preferably on-site) and candidates should present a portfolio of completed treatments at that time.

All applications must be submitted electronically only. Please email completed application package to internships@nyhistory.org with your name in the subject line. The cover letter, resume, and writing sample should be submitted together in one email. Recommendations must be emailed directly from the reference to internships@nyhistory.org and should have “Recommendation for Applicant’s Name” as the subject.

Applications are due by 5:00 PM on Monday, September 14^th, 2009.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Betsy Gibbons by email at internships@nyhistory.org or by phone at 212-485-9281.

ECPN Conference Call Minutes 8-20-09

2009-08-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

ECPN Conference Call 8-20-09
Present:
Ryan Winfield
Katie Mullen
Rose Daly
Rachel Penniman
Kathleen Dardes
Angie Elliot
Jason Church
Steve Pickman

I. Welcome
II. Project Updates
a. Communications

i.Blogging/calendar
Email, NING and Blog will get text of call for bloggers, please also send this out to folks that you personally know are interested.

ii. Skype interview with Jeff Guin
Interview between Jeff and Rachel P. will be posted. Address available soon...

b.Outreach
i. Angels Project
Ryan reports that Ruth did not get a chance to visit any potential sites, but Tony Rajer is providing leads, and we will ask Ann to start looking for potential sites as well.

ii. Flicker site for presentation photos
Possibly - Flickr.com\groups\ecpn
No approval needed for joining, must join to post. Most important thing is to tag your photos as extensively as possible. Jason will do a blog post explaining how the Flikr group will work. Jason will discuss on the blog being aware about use your institution permits, along with an emphasis on photos that can be shared, and about how to edit the rights licenses

Logo – we’ll revisit the logo, since we’re branding on flickr, etc. We’ll ask for more submission within a month and then do a poll. Group members will try to go back and tag the logo entries in the blog in preparation.

c. Professional Development/Training
i. Status of training advisory group
RP reports for Amber that all ANAGPIC programs, except Buffalo, have contacts in place. Katie will send name of contact that she had initially at Buffalo. Then Amber will send out introductory email to advisory group explaining what types of things we’re looking to work on. Example: ECPN can coordinate with the programs to provide a consolidated source for emerging conservators on internship and volunteer (pre-program) info, and on possibilities funding info for attending conferences. The information can then be placed in the career section of the website.

ii. Mentoring
Angie – Ryan has passed on more applications. There need to be more matches – what’s the best way to do it? Ryan will send out an email blast w/ call for mentoring program applicants and bloggers.
How will people be matched up? – Ryan says that Angie et al, can match people once they want to know how to approach it. One idea: Rank people by 1st – how they want to communicate, then by specialty. The mentee applications will be sent to the mentors, who can then choose from a pool – but that might lead to problems if many mentors pick one mentee. Tyrna points out current program in NY to mentor possible museum directors, she will pass on contact info and we’ll see what they can learn from that program about matching people. An “online dating model” might be a good way to approach this as well – all people go into a pool that is password protected, then choose each other.

III. New Business/ Open Discussion
a. 2010 Budget
It is budget preparation time, come up with ideas for September about what type of budget we might like to see, which will go to the board meeting in November, e.g. funding to attend anagpic.
Rachel asks if people have ideas for projects that would require a budget. Example, should we try again to have a workshop at AIC?
Steve suggests for equipment for podcasts, as a possibility – Zoom h2 handy recorder, which is under $200. Ryan says AIC in general might purchase this, he’ll check into this. Jason could coordinate who and how it’s going to if we did get one. We are looking into meeting accessibility requirements in terms of close captioning and transcription for podcasts.
Also add budget for chairperson attendance at internal advisory group.
Budget for ECPN meeting at the annual meeting next year, which would be a good opportunity to solicit more mentors and mentees, and have those who are already meet. This will be also be announced in the official program next year.
We’ll have informal dinner again (but not a budget issue)

b. 2009 IAG Meeting
Nov 14th, Saturday. All committee and specialty group chairs meet with the board and all strategize for the next year of the organization. If we have anything for this – pass it on to RP before she attends.
No further new business.

IV. Setting of next call and adjournment

Next call will be September 17th 1 PM EST.

Interns begin a SOS! Project

2009-08-27T18:20:00.000-07:00

During the summer of 2009, the four intern/fellows, Rose Daly, Diana
Larrabee, Laine Kirkhof, and Laura Brill, decided to look at outdoor
sculpture through the SOS program to learn more about documentation
methods, outdoor sculpture, public outreach, and Vermont. Rose arrived
in Vermont with the idea for this project, and the three
other interns in the lab were interested in it as well. The
project is accessible to anyone, regardless of the extent of their
knowledge of outdoor sculpture, since the guidelines and forms are
already in place. There is even a girl scout merit badge, which we all wanted desperately, but had to be affiliated with a girl scout troop, too bad.

The project was very informal. Our objectives were to become more
familiar with the SOS process and investigate how the project had been
carried out in Vermont. We also wanted to encourage future efforts
in Vermont, and other interns to do the same in other states. After
researching and downloading SOS forms, we set out to examine a
sculpture.
Rose and Laura examining the first sculpture

We printed out reports an went to look at one sculpture as a group to get an idea of how difficult it would be to write up a report in the field. In terms of logistics, it took us about 45 minutes to fill out the form and take pictures. For this sculpture we used the longer form, that is no longer required by the project.
We brought along a camera, tape measure, our clipboard, forms and a pen. A flashlight, a
magnet, and color card could also be useful items.

A few days later, Rose, Diana and Laine went to the Vermont Historical
Society to research the 1992 SOS files. They spoke with Paul Carnahan
the VHS librarian, who explained the filing system, and gave some
suggested some improvements for future efforts. He was very supportive
of the effort and offered to publicize any future project through the
League of Local Societies. On a side note, Barre is one of Vermont's
biggest granite producer's and there are many granite sculptures and buildings in the area.
Diana and Laine researching previous records of sculpture and more about the goals of the SOS! project.

To prepare for the trip to Burlington Laura downloaded the Art in Public
Places tour booklet from the Burlington City Arts. We chose the walk
down Church Street as it had the most public sculptures. We looked at
Democracy, Leapfroggers, and Millennium Sculpture.

We greatly enjoyed the project and would recommend it to any emerging conservator who is interested in outdoor sculpture.

ECPN needs you!

2009-08-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

We’re opening the blog up as a forum for our members! Get your name, your work and your own blog out there to your peers Are you an emerging conservation professional with something you’d like to say? Or an experienced professional with something you’d like us to hear?

Seeking guest bloggers for ~500-1500 word entries!

Suggested topics include your outreach efforts, your ongoing treatments, perspectives on your specialty, resources you think we want to hear about, how you get and keep volunteers in your lab, disasters you’ve planned for and ones you haven’t! Have another idea that you’d like to write about? Just let us know!

How:

Pick a week in the next calendar year in which you think you can post one blog entry and contact Katie Mullen @ kamullen at library dot in dot gov to get signed up.

Abstract/Proposal Writing Workshop

2009-08-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

* If you're eager to present a paper at a meeting but aren’t sure how to condense your ideas into 250-500 word proposal . . .
* If you’re familiar with bibliographic abstracts but aren’t sure how to convert that style into a dynamic and compelling response to a call for presentations . . .
* If you want to use the abstract-writing process as a way to clarify your thoughts for future writing projects . . .

. . . this is a workshop for you.

In this 60-minute online meeting you will learn:

* The four different goals for writing an abstract.
* What you need—and don’t need—to include in a paper or presentation proposal.
* How to write an abstract/proposal for a paper you haven’t yet written.
* How to make your proposal engaging without sacrificing your authority.
* Three simple tricks to match your abstract to a call for papers.

Writing a good abstract or proposal is a skill you can learn.

The workshop presentation will be a text-based discussion in a “Group Meeting” or IM format.

Cost:
To attend the workshop: $25.00
Special: Attend the workshop and we will review* your draft abstract/proposal $40.00

American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Member Special: 20% discount.

Click here for the registration form ABSW09
Download, complete and mail or email your registration to us. Use the drop-down menu and button below to pay via credit card or PayPal. We also accept checks.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 6611 New York NY 10128

Why Blog?

2009-08-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

I can't speak for everyone involved, but as someone who is engaged with trying to get the blog up and running in a meaningful way for ECPN, here's how I see it:

Why Blog?

I think the better question is why not blog?

*It provides a relatively informal forum in which emerging conservators can pitch their research, and get their names out there!

*It invites collaboration - in that the format of a blog invites informal peer review and discussion, in a more accessible way than other conservation publishing venues permit.

*It's timely - ongoing research can be posted and commented on. There is often a several year lag time with other venues.

*Along with collaboration and review, it encourages transparency in our work.
(see Richard McCoy's musings in Dan Cull's brilliant blog on the role of "conservy" blogs http://dancull.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/the_conservy/)

*a blog invites discussion also on people's thoughts and reflections on the field, not just their research, in a timely and direct way that is not possible through traditional venues.
(here's a good example, again the product of Richard McCoy, guest blogger for Ellen Carrlee:
http://ellencarrlee.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/new-directions-or-radical-ideas/
Indeed, look at all of Ellen's posts on the proceedings at AIC for great examples of how to marry quick dispersal of the research being done in conservation with review. Like this:
http://ellencarrlee.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/aic-2009-in-la-more-sessions/)

*The blog is a playground! Not only to get to know one another one one another's research, but for those of us, like myself, who don't blog on our own, it invites us to engage with and learn how to use emerging technologies and communications methods. And we can even find members to tell us how to begin!
(http://emergingconservator.blogspot.com/2009/08/helpful-thoughts-on-writing-blog-post.html)

*We're already attracting some attention and discussion, no? So I would say it will serve as a touchstone for building the ECPN community. And possibly serve as a base for those interested in some of the great blogging that a few conservators are doing now, through the engagement of guest bloggers and tools like a blog roll.

*It's empowering!

Helpful thoughts on writing a blog post

2009-08-22T01:07:00.000-07:00

Writing a blog post can be daunting. You have a page staring back at you and you want to be informative, clever, and maybe a little silly. Luckily, there are several tutorials online to help you out.

The ECPN blog is run through blogger.com.
Youtube.com is a great source for how-to videos of blogging.
From the basics of setting up a blogger account and writing a post, an example of adding pictures from the internet see this tutorial.
There are also youtube videos about adding youtube videos to a blog

Blogger provides a comprehensive help section as well.

Now we've covered the basics and the how-to, I would like to open a discussion about what makes a blog interesting and fun to read.

Write about what you know: I think this is most important, and if you have a specialized knowledge of something in conservation you would like to share, that's great. People will love to hear about it. Blogs are written by people, not corporations, and people want to know what YOU think.
Be honest, share your opinions, offer hints and advice, write a review about:books, articles, workshops, museums, websites, other blogs . The best blog posts are discussions that offer information, lots of links to sources for more information, and ask a questions to start a dialogue between the blogger and the reader.
Link as much as you can, let the reader decide what information they can follow. This tutorial can help you to add links in your posts.
Add photos and video if you can. There may be rules and regulations depending on your museum, and we hope to address those issues in future posts. I did find a number of photos of the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum online, and with Creative Commons I can use the photos if they are attributed correctly and not used for profit.

from flickr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/ / CC BY 2.0

The information I used for this post I found on this site, and this one. But a simple search for "How to write a blog post" will give you many other sites.
But to really begin you need to understand and become part of the blogosphere by reading and becoming actively engaged with other bloggers.

From: http://www.coxandforkum.com/

Here is my conservation blog and a few other blogs I read and enjoy. You can read them, post comments, link to them, and join in the conversation on the ECPN blog
http://www.dalyconservation.com/
http://dancull.wordpress.com/
http://ellencarrlee.wordpress.com/
http://bethhellerconservation.wordpress.com/
http://jeffpeachey.wordpress.com/
http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/category/conservation/

Happy Posting!

Helping other emerging professionals beyond our border…Part 2…Kinda…

2009-08-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Think of this as more Part 1a than as Part 2. So a little more than a month ago I posted about the initiative by the US State Department to develop a new National Training Institute for the Preservation of Iraqi Cultural Heritage in Erbil, Iraq as well as how we as emerging conservators could help. While I don’t have additional information to communicate at this time, I thought I would share something I came across the other day that very strongly resonated with me about what I had posted.

I listen to a podcast program supported by National Public Radio on WNYC called Radiolab, which is hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. Let me say to begin with that I am a big fan of this podcast and would highly recommend it. I could try describing them but they do a much better job than I do: “Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility” (http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/).

I usually will listen to the episodes in spurts and often save them for when I am involved with a more in-depth conservation project. The other day I was listening to an episode titled “Race” that was originally broadcasted in December 2008 and revolved around a quote by Francis Collins in 2000 following the completion of the first full mapping of the Human Genome - "the concept of race has no genetic or scientific basis." The podcast sought to delve into what does this mean and where does it leave us by exploring the issue along several avenues of thought. What grabbed my attention was the last thought of the podcast, which focused on whether we can accurately identify a person’s background from their appearance. In it, a former translator and correspondent of NPR’s Baghdad office, Ali Abbas, related about how the question of identity and appearance in Iraq today becomes an issue of life and death based on the religious tensions and violence between the Sunni and Shi’a. The difference in identity came down to the spelling/pronunciation of a name (do you say uh.mar or uh.maar?).

The podcast is just over 59 minutes long but the section I am directing you to starts at the 48 minute, 04 second mark. You can find it at the following link: http://blogs.wnyc.org/radiolab/category/podcasts/page/3/utm_source=podcasts&utm_medium=hp&utm_campaign=radiol. As you can see (or rather hear), the challenges that a program such as the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP), which seeks to unite the Iraqi people around a shared cultural heritage rather than try to divide them, will be many. All the more reason that I again encourage you to show your support for this project and our future colleagues through the simple act of donating a book for the institute’s library.

For more information about donating, see the recent post on the AIC blog: http://blog.conservation-us.org/blogpost.cfm?threadid=1384&catid=172.

Scholarship to attend Museum Computer Network conference

2009-08-07T14:01:00.000-07:00

The following announcement was posted to the AAM-EMP group:

Announcing scholarships to attend the 37th annual Museum Computer Network conference in Portland, Oregon!

The Museum Computer Network is delighted to offer museum professionals the opportunity to apply for scholarships that will enable them to attend the MCN annual conference in November.

The annual meeting provides an occasion where you can meet and learn from experts on the technology topics challenging today’s museums. It’s also a great time for networking and establishing new relationships to strengthen your resources for the coming year.

SCHOLARSHIP BASICS
What? Eight scholarships are available to attend MCN’s 2009 annual conference. Each stipend includes the full conference registration fee, free hotel stay, and a US $50.00 stipend to cover additional expenses.

Who? This scholarship is available to museum professionals who meet one of the following criteria:
• Employed at an institution with no more than 20 permanent staff
• First-time MCN conference attendee.
• New to the profession with less than 2 years experience in the field.

Where?Museum Information, Museum Efficiency: Doing More with Less
37th Annual MCN Conference
November 11-14, 2009
Portland, Oregon

Why? The annual MCN conference offers tremendous personal and professional benefits and rewards. Not only do attendees gain professional knowledge from sessions, they also have the opportunity to network with professionals from around the world.

How? Complete the MCN 2009 Scholarship Application and Acceptance Agreement and submit according to instructions available online at http://www.mcn.edu/conferences/index.asp?subkey=2454.

Submission Deadline: August 15, 2009

Questions? Please contact Jana Hill, 2009 Scholarship Committee chair, jana [dot] hill [at] cartermuseum [dot] org.

Minutes 7/16/09 ECPN Call

2009-07-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

ECPN Call 07/16/09
Present

Jason Church
Ruth Seyler
Ryan Winfield
Amber Kerr
Ann Simon
Kim
Rachel Penniman
Katie Mullen
Karen Pavelka

I Welcome

II. Project Updates

a. Communications

i. Blogging/calendar –
After looking at Google calendaring and 30 Boxes, we’ll go with 30 boxes. It’s easy to add an email to a scheduled event to send out reminders and it can be embedded in the blog. Katie will work on an email calling for posts – like call for papers. Amber will pass it on to her program contents and Katie will post it to the Distlist, the Ning site, the blog and Ryan will send it to the ECPN email list. Rachel, Katie and Jason all have contacts who are already interested in posting and will pass on the message to them. Suggested topics will be included, such as perspectives on one’s specialty, ongoing projects, disaster planning, implementing preventative measures. Guest bloggers (outside AIC) are welcome!

ii. Website search/ connecting to ECPN page
RP pointed out that when searching on the new AIC website for “emerging conservator” ECPN does not show up, but searching on “emerging conservation” does pull up the group. Ryan will add the word “conservator” to the ECPN page to fix this.

b. Outreach

i. Angels Project (CAP Assessment, other contacts)

ii. Site Visit

Ruth is preparing for a site visit to Milwaukee at the end of the month and is working through contacts there to identify a possible site for the 2010 Angels project. Ann is also speaking to contacts in Milwaukee. Ruth will have more information after her site visit!

c. Professional Development/Training

i. News
Amber Kerr is compiling a list of program contacts. There is a delay hearing back from Buffalo, Queens and the Strauss Center because of the summer break. Amber will begin to compile contacts outside of Anagpic and also internationally.
Jerry Podany has asked ECPN members to submit poster for the next IIC meeting in Istanbul. More will be forthcoming about this.

ii. Pre-program Internship Guidance
A brochure is in the works along the lines of “Top 10 things to know about pre-program internships.” It is also suggested that we do the reverse, and ask conservators what they expect from these students going forward. We’ll use the Ning forum to gather initial information from ECPN’ers regarding pre-program and internship experiences, then build a survey based on this to engage the experience of our network. Once this and the changes (see below) to “Find a Conservator” are complete, Amber and Ryan will work on a brochure to send out to undergraduate departments across the country that may have students who are interested in pursuing conservation.

iii. Changes to Find a Conservator
Ryan Winfield is working on changing the “Find a Conservator” tool on the AIC website to allow users to search for conservators who will take pre-program and internship students.

d. Mentoring

i. Matching of mentors and mentees

ii. Online Application Form
Ryan is running into some bugs setting up the online form. While these are being worked out, he will scan the mentee/mentor application forma and email them to Ann and Angie Elliot. There are about 15 total responses so far. We’ll also ask participants going forward if they are willing to blog about the experience.

III. New Business/ Open Discussion
None

IV. Setting of next call and adjournment
Next call will be August 20, 1 PM. This conflicts with an AIC board meeting, so the call will be held in the absences of Ruth Seyler and Karen Pavelka

FAIC Online Courses: Summer Stimulus Sale Ends Soon

2009-07-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Attention AIC Members!

Only 1 week remains to take advantage of our Summer Stimulus Sale!

Right now, save 50% on the registration fees for all remaining 2009 FAIC online courses!

The convenience, the new insights, and the on-line community of an FAIC online course will allow you to take your conservation practice to the next level without leaving your home or office.

Register by July 22 and receive the low registration fee of $100 for members ($150 for non-members) for courses such as:

“Mitigating Risks: Contracts and Insurance for Conservators” (July 30-August 26)
“Establishing a Conservation Practice” (July 30-August 26)
“Laboratory Safety for Conservators” (September 10-October 7)
“Marketing for Conservators” (October 22-November 18).

Save gas, time and money and still participate in meaningful professional development.

Simply go to:

www.conservation-us.org/education

Log in as a member to the our website and register for an online course (or two!) before July 22 to take advantage of 50% off registration fees.

Please let me know if you have any further questions about this.

Best,

Lisa Avent

Education Manager
Foundation of the American Institute for
Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
1156 15th St. NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005-1714
Phone: 202-661-8069
Fax: 202-452-9328
Email: lavent@conservation-us.org
Web: www.conservation-us.org

Helping other emerging professionals beyond our borders

2009-07-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Recently at the AIC annual meeting in Los Angeles, I had the chance to talk more in depth with Terry Drayman-Weisser, director of conservation and technical research at the Walters Art Museum (Baltimore, MD), about an initiative that she has of late been promoting – the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP). Developed under the aegis of the International Relief and Development (IRD) through a grant from the United States Department of State, ICHP is a multi-faceted initiative designed to focus US and international resources and expertise on rebuilding the professional capabilities of Iraq's museum, heritage and archaeology organizations, as well as supporting antiquities preservation and management. IRD is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization that directs assistance in regions of the world that present social, political and technical challenges.

A tangible result of this project will be the creation of the National Training Institute for the Preservation of Iraqi Cultural Heritage in Erbil, Iraq, housing two training programs: a Collections Conservation and Management program, and a Sites, Monuments, and Buildings Preservation program. Cultural partners, including the University of Delaware, Winterthur, the Walters Art Museum, the US National Park Service, and other institutions were selected by the US Department of State to work in consultation with the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage to develop the programs to meet the short- and long-term preservation needs of Iraqi collections and cultural institutions. Beyond serving the preservation and training needs within Iraq, ICHP will also assist with the re-establishment and expansion of the professional environment within the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad; as well as identify and facilitate opportunities for professional development and capacity building of Iraq's museum and heritage staff. Recently, Jessica S. Johnson, formerly Senior Objects Conservator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, has accepted the position as program director for the Collections Conservation and Management program.

What in my mind is one of the more interesting aspects of this project is that the program is meant to transcend religious and ethnic divides, aiding reconciliation by emphasizing the nation's rich heritage. In order to understand how ICHP intends to do this requires at least a basic understanding of the profound tensions that have existed and remain present in Iraq.

Within the Islamic world, religious practice is divided mainly between two major denominations of Islam – Sunni and Shi’a, with their essential difference being grounded on the legitimacy of the Caliphs as successors to Muhammed.While Sunni sects represent almost 90% of Islam’s adherents worldwide and 97% of Iraq’s population is Muslim, Sunni Muslims are nonetheless a minority group in Iraq - representing only between 32 to 37% of the population. Even more of a minority are Sunni Arab Muslims, who represent only approximately 12 to 15% of the overall population. While a minority group within the religious population, a Sunni Arab controlled state has existed in the area of present-day Iraq since as early as mid-16th century under the Ottoman Empire, acting as a buffer against the influence of a Shi’a Safavid Empire in Iran. This dominance continued after the fall of the Ottoman Empire during the first half of the 20th century under both British rule and the subsequent British-backed Iraqi monarchy, with Sunni Arab Muslims experiencing political and socioeconomic prominence. Under Saddam Hussein and the Iraq-based secular Ba’ath party, Sunni Arab Muslims prospered while Shi’a clergy and Muslims experienced severe repression and marginalization.

Notice before that I made the distinction of Sunni Arab Muslims, which leads into the other major source of tension – ethnic disparity. Beyond religious identity, ethnic identity has functioned as a source for either social unity or discord. The Iraqi population can be described as an Arab majority and a number of smaller minorities, the largest of which are the Kurds. Kurds are ethnically related to ancient Persian cultures (Hurrian and Medes). Some 70% of Kurdish population is Sunni Muslim (even this is misleading as the majority follow a different school from the Arab population), representing between 18 to 20% of the country’s population. During the early part of the 20^th century, the ideology of a pan-Arabism, arguing that Arab culture and the history of the Arabs transcended religious and communal ties, became popular in Iraq. This came at the exclusion of non-Arab minorities, such as the Kurds, who had their own nationalistic aspirations. Under Saddam Hussein, the Kurdish population experienced massive repression by his Sunni Arab-oriented government in the name of national unity, including genocidal campaigns and human rights violations.

Now if you are not yet confused, place these ethnic and religious divides into a geographical context. Southern Iraq is predominately comprised of a Shi’a population while the Sunni Arabs are wedged in the center of the country from Baghdad north to the southern portions of Kirkuk and Mosul. Civilian violence in Iraq is centered mainly in central and southern Iraq and can be described as both religiously exclusive (Shi’a-on-Shi’a or Sunni-on-Sunni) and sectarian (Sunni-to-Shi’a or vice versa). Northern Iraq is inhabited mainly by (but not exclusively) a Kurdish population and has undergone peace and development since Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Putting all this information into context, the new Institute will be situated in Eril. The city of Erbil (or Arbil) is located in Northern Iraq and also happens to be the capital of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region. Beyond the immediate relative security and stability that this location will provide to the program and its students, the reality is that students will have to struggle with and rise above the inherent tensions already described for a greater goal - protecting and preserving Iraq’s cultural heritage. With the training, these Iraqi students will become the new faces of Iraq’s emerging conservation professionals, collaborating with museums and sites within the country to promote national unity around the preservation of Iraq’s rich cultural heritage as well as engaging the wider international professional community.

As interesting as all this might have been to read, you may ask why am I posting this description in the ECPN blog? As emerging conservation professionals, we have the opportunity to collaborate with and support this initiative in a small but substantial measure. One aspect of the institute’s development is the creation of an on-site conservation library at the institute that will remain a resource to the Iraqi conservation students long after the project’s reins are turned over to its Iraqi partners. At the annual meeting, Terry made a call to conservation professionals to consider donating a book to this library in support of the project and these future conservation professionals. After having the chance to talk to Terry, and afterwards to Jessica Johnson and Vicki Cassman (who is helping to coordinate the library development from the University of Delaware), I believe more and more that this is a real opportunity for emerging conservators here in the US to help emerging professionals across borders (think of it as promoting cultural connections and ties with people of Iraq). While many of us have extremely limited incomes, it has been my experience that we often put something extra aside or make exceptions for buying books and adding to our own libraries. Wouldn’t it be great that when we buy ourselves that book that we also consider buying one for this project as well? It may sound a bit hackneyed but think of the old adage “if you give a man a fish, you feed him for one day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” For me, that’s seems to be the effect that a donation of a book can have for this institution.

In the near future, AIC will be publishing on its website an article about the project as well as a link to the books that are still needed for the library’s completion. I strongly encourage you to keep an eye out to learn more information about the project and consider donating. If you would like to make a more immediate donation or just have more questions about the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, please feel free to contact Jessica for more information at: jessicasjohnson@gmail.com.

Minutes for ECPN Conference Call 6/18/09

2009-06-30T06:33:00.000-07:00

Minutes for ECPN Conference Call 6/18/09
Attendees: Rachel Penniman, Ruth Seyler, and Ryan Winfield
Minutes taken by Rachel Pennimen

I. Welcome

II. Project Updates
A. Communications:Podcasts
Rachel will check with Jason on potential podcasts

B. Outreach: Angels Project in Milwaukee
Ruth will look into getting information on CAP assessment programs from Heritage Preservation. The next step will be to arrange a conference call with conservators who have knowledge of the institutions in that city and could help us in selecting a potential site.
In order to “compete” with other workshops/activities on that day of the Annual Meeting, we should have information about the Angels project in the registration brochure. The deadline to have this information included is the end of October/early November.

C. Professional Development/Training:
1. Training Advisory Group
Amber was unable to attend the call but is making contacts for this.

2. Pre-program “camp”: Judy Walsh’s idea for a workshop geared towards pre-program students
Discussed how this could be done so it was useful but still affordable. Concern that it might be too expensive for pre-programs to travel. Will talk to Eric to see if we can get funding like the other AIC workshops. Could potentially do a webinar so no travel costs.
Could possibly have graduate programs or conservators in private practice refer pre-program students or interns who contact them to the workshop.
What kind of info would be presented and who would be the audience?

There are some building blocks we need to develop before we can get a whole workshop up and running. Advertising to pre-programs and people interested in conservation (Ryan has an idea to make a flyer for undergrad studio art and art history departments). Survey who is taking interns and how that develops, what their needs are. Etc.

The pre-program workshop is a great idea and one we want to pursue, but aren’t yet in a position to get that started. But we’re definitely on a track to develop it in the future.

3. Mentoring Program
Ryan will send an email blast to get more applicants (mentors and mentees.)
We’d like to start pairing up the applicants we already have. By next month’s conference call we should try to review the applications and make preliminary matches.

III. New Business/Open Discussion
Ryan suggested the possibility of adding a feature in the “Find a Conservator” where PA’s and Fellows can note that they accept apprentices or pre-program interns. So you could find a potential internship by searching in the “Find a Conservator.”

IV. Setting of next call and adjournment
Next call will be Thursday July 16th at 1pm Eastern time.

NPS/NCPTT Ornamental Iron Workshop June 18-19 2009

2009-06-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

June 18-19 2009 was an Ornamental Iron Workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana co-sponsored by the National Park Service, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, Save our Cemeteries, and Tulane University. The instructors were Jason Church, Eric Schindelholz, and Mary Striegel. The workshop met at Tulane University in the morning, beginning with introductions from the 14 participants who were a mixture of conservators, students, staff from Save our Cemeteries, and the Tulane Preservation studies program.

The first day began with lectures about metal production, structures, alloying metals, and surface treatments. This led into lectures about corrosion and then cleaning, priming, and painting. The final lecture covered writing condition reports, then a trip to St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 for a tour by a from the staff of Save our Cemeteries. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and No. 2 are available for tours and included on the African American Heritage Trail. The tour answered why so many people are buried in one tomb, after a burial it is customary to wait one year and one day, then the tomb is opened, the coffin remains are discarded, and the human remains, mainly bones, are moved to a lower section underneath the main chamber. In the afternoon, the participants seperated into groups and wrote condition assessments 1 or 2 monuments.

The next tour was of a Andrew's welding and blacksmith shop. Darryl Reeves (pictured) gave a tour and demonstration, creatin g a beautiful "steak flipper" out of steel and then raffling it off to a lucky participant.

The second day began with presentations of the condition reports and lectures about the care of ironwork and safety. Returning to St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, treatment stations were begun that included: priming, cleaning, simple repairs, rust treatments, and painting. These treatments were on abandoned tombs, the archdiocese of New Orleans considers a tomb abandoned if there has been no burial or any activity for 50 years. The treatments lasted the rest of the afternoon, followed with a wrap-up and group photos back at the Save our Cemeteries office.

The work was challenging, the spaces between tombs were small and to reach some areas you had to slide in carefully. Howard Wellman (pictured) demonstrates these skills while he is priming ironwork. It was also hot, with the temperature over 100 degrees on both days, luckily there were shelters over the areas where work was being done, and the workshop provided sunscreen and lots of water.

The workshop was a great success. It was a good balance of lectures, information, and hands-on practical work that was challenging. It was well-paced and interesting, including lectures, each participant left with a binder full of more information about ornamental ironwork conservation. Mary was a great supervisor, balancing hard work and breaking for great food in a city that is known for it's culinary history.

For more information about my personal experiences on this trip to New Orleans please go to http://www.dalyconservation.com/?p=88

Update on CoOL

2009-06-19T08:58:00.001-07:00

This email was just sent out to AIC members:

CoOL is Coming to AIC!

Having reviewed a proposal from AIC and following several discussions, Stanford University Libraries has decided that AIC will be given responsibility for CoOL and the Conservation DistList. The transfer of content from the Stanford servers will take place immediately with expert guidance from Walter Henry, John Burke, and technicians at Stanford.

Our first goal is to have the DistList operational as soon as possible. Watch for one or more announcements on the DistList for periodic updates regarding the resumption of activity. Other CoOL resources will come online under new URLs as expeditiously as possible.

AIC is pleased to be entrusted with these invaluable resources and for the opportunity to sustain and develop them into the future. Our goal is to keep CoOL and the Distlist safe, viable, objective, and accessible for the conservation community worldwide.

Thank you for your support of this major initiative.
- AIC Executive Director Eryl Wentworth and the AIC Board of Directors

Conservation DistList

2009-06-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

The following was recently posted on the Conservation DistList and Conservation OnLine website:

Special Announcement
Important News about CoOL and the Conservation DistList

Date: 10 Jun 2009
From: Catherine Tierney
Subject: CoOL and the Conservation DistList
Dear Colleagues,
This is a difficult posting to write. For twenty two years, it has been Stanford University Libraries' great pleasure to serve and support the conservation community by hosting Conservation OnLine. Sadly, Stanford---like so many other institutions---has been hurt by the economy. As a result, we have had to make difficult choices. It is with deep regret that I inform you that we are no longer able to support CoOL. We feel it is important to alert you to this change as we are aware that so many of you rely on the distribution list as a medium of communication; there are still a number of things to be worked out.

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/june17/layoffs-061709.html

Catherine Tierney
Associate University Librarian for Technical Services
Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources

Date: 10 Jun 2009
From: Walter Henry
Subject: CoOL and the Conservation DistList

It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with this community and I look forward to finding ways to continue to do so. I've always held that conservation professionals were, as a class, unusually committed to the cause they serve; we really do care deeply about the cultural materials we are lucky enough to work with, and that care takes form in a remarkable dedication to the profession, to the ethical foundations upon which it is built, and to the community of practitioners from whatever discipline or specialty.

So, at the beginning of what would have been the DistList's twenty third year it is with great sadness, but also with some sense of pride, that I finally give up this enterprise and that of Conservation OnLine as a whole. I don't know exactly what will happen to the resources here but I have every faith that their fate will be in good hands.

I would like to thank, with all sincerity, Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources, my own department, the systems and IT staff, and most of all the directorate, who have been unfalteringly supportive of my work all these years, and I know would continue to be so were the world in just a little better shape than it is now.

As DistList tradition demands, I leave you a final accounting: As of this day, the Conservation DistList comprises 9696 people from at least 91 countries. Conservation OnLine contains, at a very rough guess, 120,000 documents, possibly quite a few more. I hope they have been useful to you all, and I hope to be of service to you as we move into the future.

onward,
walter

The final instance of the Conservation DistList, as it was distributed may be found at
http://cool-palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/instances/2009/2009-06-11.dst
or in its archive (HTML) at
http://cool-palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/instances/2009/2009-06-11.dst

And this email was sent to AIC members shortly after:

Thursday, June 11, 2009
Dear AIC Members,
You may have seen today’s issue of the ConsDistList, which announced the news that Stanford University Libraries can no long support CoOL. The resources on CoOL, including the ConsDistList, have been major assets for the conservation community over many years.

http://cool-palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/2009/0656.html
http://cool-palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/2009/0655.html
Press release: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/june17/layoffs-061709.html

The AIC board and key staff have met by phone conference call to discuss the implications. CoOL is an important resource for the conservation community internationally, and it must be preserved and maintained. AIC is committed to do all we can to ensure that CoOL is not lost.

AIC has benefited greatly from CoOL in many ways. Many of our internal listservs and specialty group websites, for example, are hosted by Stanford. If you are responsible for a specialty group website, please keep in mind it can be migrated easily to the new AIC website. Contact Brett Rodgers (brodgers@conservation-us.org) to discuss this. JAIC, which is currently archived on the Stanford server, is also accessible online through JSTOR (www.jstor.org). AIC leadership is assessing all its assets currently hosted by CoOL and will devote itself to ensuring a smooth transition.

We thank Stanford University Libraries and Walter Henry for the invaluable service they have provided for 22 years. We are in full support of sustaining CoOL into the future.
- AIC Board and Staff