LISNews: Librarian News

Kathleen writes "The Smithsonian Institution selected a prominent space on the Mall near the Washington Monument as the site of its National Museum of African-American History and Culture. [Monday, January 30, 2006].
For links to other African American Museums see the Association of African American Museums. "

Ellis County Historical Society president Wilbert Pfeifer Says someday, the museum might have space to display eight to 10 percent of its artifacts, but not yet."We have a lot of things that can be brought out to enhance what we do have already," said Erin Hammer, curator of the Ellis County Historical Museum.

In the basement and sub-basement, Hammer shows items that are processed and stored in acid-free paper and plastic drawers. The No. 5 plastic is safe for storing artifacts and makes cataloging and finding the items much easier.

The attic is a different story, though. Racks of clothes are covered in plastic. The silk beaded dresses from the 1920s narrowly escaped damage from a leak in the roof.

the_anarchivist writes "This article from the Associated Press details the damage done by Hurricane Katrina to some of the 126 museums in the Gulf Coast region. These include the New Orleans Museum of Art, the National D-Day Museum, and Longue Vue House & Gardens."

Kathleen writes "Early next year, U.S. restrictions on importing artifacts stolen from Italian museums and archaeological sites will expire. In effect since 2001, the bilateral agreement that imposed these restrictions has helped catch criminals and has shown America's commitment to protecting an important part of our world heritage. This gesture of goodwill has also led Italy to allow long-term loans of important artifacts and works of art to American museums and institutions, so that the American public can learn more about Italy's rich and storied past.
See the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs on International Cultural Property Protection.
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