[padg] IPI's WEBera from IMLS -- Call for participants.

["D NISHIMURA" <dwnpph@xxxxxxx>]

Image Permanence Institute Call for Applicants to Participate as Research partners in IMLS-Funded WebERA Project

 

Research partners are needed to work with the Image Permanence Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology to develop WebERA ? a unique web-based system for analyzing and managing environmentally induced deterioration of collections.

 

The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) is calling for applications from U.S. museums and libraries to participate as research partners to test the design and function of WebERA. This novel web-based system for environmental risk analysis and collection storage quality ranking will enable collections care staff to efficiently manage large volumes of environmental data using preservation metrics and automated analysis. The premise behind the project is that environmental risks can be mitigated once they are identified, quantified, and communicated to facilities managers and institution administrators. The WebERA concept has evolved through thirteen years of environmental research and development at IPI.

 

Ten U.S. museums and five U.S. libraries will be selected for the project based on representation from a variety of institutional types, sizes, and geographical settings. We are also looking for a broad representation of job titles as well ? not conservators only. Final selections will be made in January 2007. Research partners can expect to commit up to 25 work days to the project between December 2007 and May 2009. Activities and estimated time requirements are as follows:

 

Nov/Dec 2007             Apply to participate, complete questionnaire             1 day

Jan/March 2008           Prepare institutional background information            2 to 3 days

March 2008                 Travel to a two-day meeting in Rochester, NY          3 days 

April 08/March 09       Place loggers, collect data five times a year,

                                    review data quarterly                                                  4 to 6 days

                                    Participate in web-log discussions over one year,

                                    one topic every two months                                        6 to 9 days

May 2009                    Travel to a two-day meeting in Rochester, NY          3 days

 

Our partners will receive (free of charge) IPI?s new PEM2Ò standalone dataloggers for their monitoring needs (an average of 20 per institution). Maintaining the reliability and accuracy of the original PEM (Preservation Environment MonitorÒ), the PEM2 will upload data using any USB flash memory drive, and can run for seven years on a set of four AA batteries. We need you to interact with IPI as a series of key features and functions are programmed and added to WebERA for use and evaluation. A web-log will be the avenue for feedback and tech support.

 

Near the end of the project IPI will prepare an Environmental Risk Assessment Final Report for each partner, including analysis, collection risk assessment, input about mechanical system functions, and suggestions for improvement to preservation quality.

 

Learn more about the WebERA project and apply to participate online at:

 http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/shtml_sub/weberainfo.asp. The deadline for application is January 15, 2008.  For general inquiries about the project please contact Patricia Ford at IPI by email at pafpph@xxxxxxx or phone (585) 475-2843.

 

Funding for ?Research and Development for Web-Based Environmental Risk Analysis (WebERA)? is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent, grant-making agency of the federal government. Only institutions within the United States will be considered for participation in this federally-funded project.