Preserving Cuban collections

U.S. and Cuban Institutions Work Together to Preserve Unique
Information Resources

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) in Andover,
Massachusetts and the Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) in
Washington, D.C., announce that they are working together to
preserve collections of museums, archives, and libraries in Cuba. On
April 17-23, 1996, staff members of NEDCC and CMC visited Havana to
meet with Cuban counterparts, exchange information, and plan for
future collaboration.  Conservation of research resources cuts
across disciplines and brings together people who are preserving all
types of materials.

Cuban institutions hold collections that provide data for scientists
involved in the study of biodiversity.  This includes not only
natural history specimens, but data and other records on paper that
support scientific research.  Cuba is also a rich source of
documents relating to U.S. history. For example, all administrative
records relating to the early history of Florida and Louisiana, when
they were ruled by Spain, are held in the National Archives of Cuba.

Cuban institutions are eager to work with international partners on
research and other professional activities.  Institutions visited
included the National Museum of Natural History, the Zoological
Society, the National Archives, and others.

NEDCC and CMC are planning further collaboration with Cuban
institutions, especially a national conference in Havana on
preservation of informational resources.

For additional information contact NEDCC or CMC (1725 De Sales
Street, NW, Washington, DC  20036; 202-429-5609).

Gay Tracy
Public Relations Coordinator
Northeast Document Conservation Center
100 Brickstone Square
Andover, MA 01810
508-470-1010
Fax: 508-475-6021

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:82
                   Distributed: Tuesday, June 4, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-82-001
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