September 12, 2013
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is demonstrating its support for the Museum of Northern Arizona by awarding it two grants to strengthen its zoology and photographic collections.
The IMLS grants address the preservation needs for MNA’s zoology holdings and photo archives. A $149,998 grant will help address the preservation needs of zoology holdings, and a $150,000 grant will help preserve photo archives.
“This institution has a history of solid commitment to collections care shown in ongoing processing of collection data, construction of new climate controlled facility and consolidation of dispersed parts of the collection,” stated an IMLS review of MNA’s proposal.
The $149,998 grant for the museum’s zoology collection will purchase museum quality cabinets. The new cabinetry will be installed in the award-winning Easton Collection Center. It will increase access to the collection and improve the environmental requirements for specimens including the avian (bird) osteology (bone) collection, a small bird and egg nest collection, a 400-specimen comparative osteology collection, and for the remainder of its 300,000-piece invertebrate collection that includes both mollusks and entomology specimens.
The $150,000 award for the preservation of MNA’s photo archives will be used primarily to develop a digital policy and a digital procedures guide, and to complete pilot rehousing projects to address future preservation needs for the endangered photo archives. Most of MNA’s photographic content is primary, original, unique and irreplaceable.
“IMLS recognizes three valuable roles museums have in their communities: putting the learner at the center, serving as community anchors, and serving as stewards of cultural and scientific collections,” said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth.
From more than 700 applications the IMLS received, only 186 grants were awarded. MNA, and Delaware’s Henry Francis du Pont-Winterthur Museum, were the only museums to receive two collections stewardship grants.
MNA Collections Manager Elaine Hughes co-wrote the successful grant proposals with the help and expertise of Archivist Patricia Walker and Associate Collections Manager Janet Gillette.
The Museum of Northern Arizona celebrates its 85th year of inspiring a sense of love and responsibility for the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting, and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Tours of Collections are offered on a rotating basis at 4 p.m. on the third Friday of the month. Upcoming tours include a biology tour on Sept. 20, and a paleontology tour on Oct. 18. Tours are free to members (donations appreciated) and $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Call 928.774.5213 ext. 219, or e-mail membership@mna.mus.az.us.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is at 3101 N. Fort Valley Road in Flagstaff, Arizona. For information, go to musnaz.org or call 928.774.5213.