In Good Faith Project Prepares Preservation Survey for Small Theological and Religious Studies Libraries

Chicago, IL, February 25, 2014 – Through funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) and project partners the Catholic Library Association (CLA) and the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) are preparing a preservation survey for small theological and religious studies libraries, archives, and cultural institutions.  The survey is the centerpiece of an IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libr​aries Planning Grant for the project, “In Good Faith: Collection Care, Preservation, and Access in Small Theological and Religious Studies Libraries.”

The survey will help the project partners gain a better understanding of collection care, preservation, and access practices in small theological and religious studies libraries, archives, and cultural institutions and begin to identify valuable and vulnerable collections held in these institutions.  The partners will use the results of the survey to explore collaborative initiatives to respond to identified long-term collection care, preservation, and access needs. 

The survey is expected to be available March 12, 2014 through April 14, 2014. Participants should be part of a formal or established institution; have a library, archive, or other research collection which includes religious and/or theological materials; have religious and/or theological historical or rare materials as part of the library, archive, or research collection; and have at least one contact person (volunteer or salaried, full-time or part-time) responsible for the care/management of the research collection that can serve as the contact for the survey.  

The partners will promote the project through their memberships as well as through discussion lists and forums that include religious and theological libraries, archives, and cultural institutions.  Institutions interested in participating in the survey and organizations interested in helping to promote the survey may contact memberrep@atla.com to receive notice of the survey’s availability.  

National Leadership Grants for Libraries support projects that address challenges faced by the museum, library, and/or archive fields and that have the potential to advance practices in those fields. IMLS offers grants to help make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive.

About ATLA

Established in 1946, the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is a professional association of nearly eight hundred individual, institutional, and affiliate members providing programs, products, and services for theological and religious studies libraries and librarians. ATLA offers a prestigious product line of electronic resources to support the scholarly study of religion and theology, including the ATLA Religion Database® (ATLA RDB®), ATLASerials® (ATLAS®) and ATLA Catholic Periodical and Literature Index® (ATLA CPLI®). For more information visit http://www.atla.com/.

About AJL

The Association of Jewish Libraries promotes Jewish literacy through enhancement of libraries and library resources and through leadership for the profession and practitioners of Judaica librarianship. The Association fosters access to information, learning, teaching and research relating to Jews, Judaism, the Jewish experience and Israel.  To learn more, please visit http://www.jewishlibraries.org/.

About CLA

Established in 1921, the Catholic Library Association is an international membership organization, providing its members professional development through educational and networking experiences, publications, scholarships, and other services. The Catholic Library Association coordinates the exchange of ideas, provides a source of inspirational support and guidance in ethical issues related to librarianship, and offers fellowship for those who seek, serve, preserve, and share the word in all its forms.  To learn more, please visit http://www.cathla.org/.

About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow IMLS on Facebook and Twitter.

Press Contact
Miguel Figueroa, +1.312.454.5100 ext. 4415, mfigueroa@atla.com

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