Why I Give to CoOL

Nancie Ravenel
Objects Conservator, Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, Vermont, USA

Dec 2011

It's an amazing resource--this freely available repository of the intellectual output for the field of preservation and conservation. It's the first place I look when there's some new conservation problem I'm asked to address. Chances are there's a resource or link on CoOL that will help me start navigating that decision-making process. If there's not a resource or link on CoOL, I can turn to the Conservation DistList, where I'm connected with more than 10,000 colleagues from over 92 countries. I rely on CoOL to give me access to much of the literature that helps me do my job.

And I remember what it felt like when it went away in 2009. It happened without warning, and it was shocking. Within eight days, FAIC assumed responsibility for CoOL and the Conservation DistList and three months later the first DistList instance appeared on cool.conservation-us.org. It felt great to be reconnected.

I want to thank Walter Henry for creating and managing this resource for us all. I want to support him in his work, even if it is just a small token. I want this resource to be more than simply maintained. I want to see it improve and grow. The more conservators who contribute financially to CoOL, even in a small way, the more FAIC can tell other funders how important this resource is to our field in a way they understand.

So what about you? Will you consider sending a donation in support of CoOL?

You can donate on line at http://www.conservation-us.org/donate
or mail a check to:

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC)
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005

Thank you for your participation and support.