Division of Preservation and Access

Division of Preservation and Access is a division of the National Endowment for the Humanities that provides leadership and support for the preservation of and access to United States cultural heritage, working closely with institutions such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution. The division collaborates with organizations like the Council on Library and Information Resources and the Society of American Archivists to advance the field of preservation and access. Through its programs and initiatives, the Division of Preservation and Access supports the work of archivists, curators, and conservators at institutions such as the New York Public Library, Getty Museum, and National Gallery of Art. The division also partners with academic institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Michigan to promote the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials.

Introduction

The Division of Preservation and Access plays a critical role in supporting the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials in the United States, working with institutions such as the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, and National Museum of the American Indian. The division's programs and initiatives are designed to support the work of museums, libraries, and archives in preserving and making accessible their collections, which include materials such as rare books, manuscripts, and photographs. The division collaborates with organizations like the American Library Association and the Society of American Historians to promote best practices in preservation and access. By supporting the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials, the Division of Preservation and Access helps to promote cultural heritage tourism and support the work of historians, curators, and educators at institutions such as the National Park Service, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and National Museum of African American History and Culture.

History

The Division of Preservation and Access was established by the National Endowment for the Humanities in the 1970s, with the goal of providing leadership and support for the preservation of and access to United States cultural heritage. The division's early work focused on supporting the preservation of historical manuscripts and rare books at institutions such as the Library of Congress and New York Public Library. Over time, the division's programs and initiatives have expanded to include support for the preservation of photographs, films, and sound recordings at institutions such as the National Archives and Records Administration and Smithsonian Institution. The division has also worked closely with organizations like the International Council on Archives and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions to promote international cooperation and collaboration in the field of preservation and access. Today, the Division of Preservation and Access is a leading supporter of preservation and access initiatives in the United States, working with institutions such as the Getty Conservation Institute, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and World Monuments Fund.

Grant Programs

The Division of Preservation and Access offers a range of grant programs to support the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials, including the Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions program and the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program. These grant programs provide funding to institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives to support the preservation of their collections and make them more accessible to the public. The division also offers grant programs to support the development of digital humanities projects, such as the Digital Humanities Advancement Grants program, which provides funding to institutions such as Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of California, Los Angeles to support the development of digital humanities projects. By providing funding and support for preservation and access initiatives, the Division of Preservation and Access helps to promote the work of archivists, curators, and conservators at institutions such as the National Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Art Institute of Chicago.

Preservation Initiatives

The Division of Preservation and Access supports a range of preservation initiatives, including the National Digital Newspaper Program, which is a partnership with the Library of Congress and National Endowment for the Humanities to digitize historical newspapers and make them available online. The division also supports the Preservation and Access Research and Development program, which provides funding to institutions such as University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Wisconsin–Madison to support research and development in the field of preservation and access. Additionally, the division supports the Save America's Treasures program, which is a partnership with the National Park Service and Institute of Museum and Library Services to support the preservation of historic buildings and cultural landscapes. By supporting preservation initiatives, the Division of Preservation and Access helps to promote the preservation of cultural heritage and support the work of historians, architects, and conservators at institutions such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, World Monuments Fund, and International Council on Monuments and Sites.

Access and Digital Humanities

The Division of Preservation and Access supports a range of initiatives to promote access to cultural heritage materials, including the development of digital humanities projects and the creation of online archives and museums. The division collaborates with institutions such as the Stanford University Libraries, University of California, Berkeley Library, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries to support the development of digital humanities projects, such as the Digital Public Library of America and the Internet Archive. By promoting access to cultural heritage materials, the Division of Preservation and Access helps to support the work of scholars, researchers, and educators at institutions such as the American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, and National Council on Public History. The division also partners with organizations like the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to promote the development of digital humanities projects and support the work of digital humanists at institutions such as the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities and the Stanford Humanities Center.

Organizational Structure

The Division of Preservation and Access is part of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and is led by a division director who reports to the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The division is organized into several programs, including the Preservation and Access Program and the Digital Humanities Program, which are responsible for supporting the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials. The division also has a number of advisory committees and review panels that provide guidance and support for its programs and initiatives. By working closely with institutions such as the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution, the Division of Preservation and Access is able to support the preservation of and access to cultural heritage materials and promote the work of archivists, curators, and conservators at institutions such as the National Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Art Institute of Chicago. The division also collaborates with organizations like the American Alliance of Museums and the Society of American Archivists to promote best practices in preservation and access. Category:National Endowment for the Humanities