South Dakota "Connects to Collections" Survey
South Dakota Connects to Collections Project Update
July 30, 2010 - The IMLS report is now available. It may be downloaded and viewed now (please be aware, the file is quite large and download time may be extended depending upon your internet connection).
Our South Dakota Connects to Collections brochure is also available for download.
To all who participated in the survey for the South Dakota Connects to Collections project – THANK YOU. We are fortunate to have so many institutions and individuals who care about preserving the cultural history of South Dakota.
The completed surveys are in the process of being compiled and analyzed. The results will be used to create a plan to improve preservation and conservation efforts throughout the state. A comprehensive report will be generated and distributed to all participants in late spring.
Project coordinators will hold a session at the Association of South Dakota Museums Annual Conference in Aberdeen – April 16th – to present the findings and discuss with the group possible next steps. Similar meetings will be held in other areas around the state. The locations and times will be announced at a later date.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Jane Roth Williams, Associate Curator of Outreach, South Dakota State Historical Society via e-mail at jane.rothwilliams@state.sd.us
The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently awarded the South Dakota State Historical Society a planning grant to capture a comprehensive picture of the condition and preservation needs of this state's historical collections. The Association of South Dakota Museums is collaborating with the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society in the implementation of this statewide grant.
A survey has been developed to collect the necessary information from the state's archives, museums, libraries, and historical societies. Smaller institutions are completing the survey via a site visit while larger ones are receiving and submitting it electronically.
The survey results will be used extensively in the years ahead as administrators, policy makers, government agencies, and private funding sources make decisions that affect the preservation of collections. Institutions that tested the questionnaire found it to be a thorough self-assessment, helping them gather information that was useful for long-range planning and funding requests.
We need your help to ensure that all institutions are accurately represented in the final results. If you or your institution has not been contacted regarding the survey, and you would like to participate, please call or e-mail Jane Roth Williams, Associate Curator of Outreach at the SD State Historical Society/Cultural Heritage Center, in Pierre at 605-773-6935 or jane.rothwilliams@state.sd.us. Items available for download include:
- Cover Letter - Description of the Program
- Instructions for Survey Completion
- Survey One - for All Respondents
- Survey Two - for Respondents with Historic Structures
As a part of the "Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action" this statewide planning project is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and matched with non-federal dollars. This project is a partnership between South Dakota State Historical Society, South Dakota State Library, and the Association of South Dakota Museums.