1. Ellis Island Immigration Museum Research Library & Special Collections April 2011 Preservation Assessment

2. About the Research Library & Archives The Research Library contains books, unpublished manuscripts, periodicals, oral history interviews photographs, video, poetry and research files relating to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, immigration history and the National Park Service. Bob Hope Memorial Library Reading Room

3. The Oral History Project Library and Studio The Ellis Island Oral History Project interviews are available to researchers and the public. The Oral History Library is located on the 3rd floor of the Museum. There are computer stations in the Library where you can access complete interviews and transcripts. Unfortunately, do to budget cuts and being short-staffed, the Oral History Library has been closed for over a year and the well-equipped studio is rarely used. A partnership with New Jersey City University will allow students studying Recording Engineering to help out so the studio will get used once again. Oral History Studio Oral History Library

4. Budget & Operations Budget As a government operation, the Supervisor could not tell us (wasn’t aware of) the budget. “I ask for something. Sometimes I get it, most times I don’t” – George T. Hours The Oral History and Research Library is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. People with specific requests should make an appointment in advance.

5. Staffing/ Hierarchy Museum Services Division includes: Reference Services Reference Library, Archives, Oral History Center Exhibits Maintain permanent exhibits & put up temporary exhibits Collections Handle objects donated to the museum & artifacts Research Library & Archives - 5 FT staff members: 1 Supervisory Archivist 2 Library Technicians 1 Archives Technician 1 Photographer/Audio Technician George Tselos Supervisory Archivist

8. Recommendations - Light Short-term Move documents from areas that are exposed to light until a solution to the light issue is in place Place blinds on all windows to keep the light out Long-term Install UV filters on all windows and light fixtures

11. Recommendations Fire and Theft Have broken locks on compact shelving repaired and make use of existing working locks Insects and Rodents Continue use of pest control company to monitor and treat for insects and rodents

13. Recommendations Move all maps and documents from the rooms that have had leaks in the past Do not store maps or other documents on the floor even temporarily Determine the source of the leaks and have them repaired

15. Some maps placed in mylar when in use

16. Post-its were used to mark place in archive folder

17. Photos & negatives were stored in mylar

19. Collections – Reformatting Options Many research requests are made by the public for photos, interviews, videos and other materials housed within the Museum Services Division. To minimize damage to originals, copies are always used. Originals are housed on a separate hard drive. Some of the most common requests are for information pertaining to ancestors featured in Museum exhibits. Several digitization projects have been started, but due to budget and personnel, they are still in limbo.

20. Recommendations- Collections Storage Map Usage and Storage Maps should be housed in mylar any time they are taken out for use. Post-its should not be used to denote location in archives since they can fall off. A system of using a plastic paper clip and paper attached to the mylar would be a more efficient method. Photographs/Audio/Video Changing formats and degradation have caused some of the A/V materials to be unreadable. Equipment for cold storage has already been purchased (but unused for many, many months). Priority should be given to this project over cataloging. Store materials most at risk and make digital copies for everyday use. Shelving Fix broken lock since often the public wander into the “Staff Only” areas OPAC/Organization The main issue is that there is no OPAC. The system currently being used is ProCite, a bibliographic tool. No one outside (or inside) the library (except the Library Technicians) can find material they are looking for.

23. However, much has not been processed.

24. Many of the documents, themselves are not formally labeled or in a proper place.

27. Fundamental Issues Collection Policy Due to the absence of a formal collection policy, the facility accepts most materials donated. A written policy would allow them to decline gifts that do not fit into the mission of the library. Staff Characteristics & Training There are no trained librarians on staff which presents a problem with adhering to the standards of library & archival collections care. Disaster Planning Since the library & archives are part of the NPS, their disaster plan is to follow the NPS guidelines in the event of emergency. Financial Assistance Since Ellis Island is a National Park and under governmental control, most outside resources are not allowed to be used. Exception- Bob Hope Memorial Library

28. Questions?