Tacoma Historical Society announced yesterday it has been selected to receive assistance from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in its effort to preserve its collection of objects and artifacts.

According to a statement, THS will receive IMLS’s “Connecting to Collections Bookshelf,” a core set of conservation books, DVDs, and online resources as part of an effort by IMLS and its cooperator, the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) to donate a total of 3,000 free sets by the end of 2009.

“This collection of resources will prove invaluable as we work to preserve such things as our extensive collection of bound volumes of Tacoma Ledger issues that date back to the 1890s,” said Director Mary Bowlby.

Tacoma Historical Society received the donation based on an application describing the needs and plans for care of its collections. The IMLS Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in history or art museums and in libraries’ special collections, with an added selection of texts for zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and nature centers. It addresses such topics as the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues.

The IMLS Bookshelf is a component of “Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action,” a conservation initiative that the Institute launched in 2006. IMLS began the initiative in response to a 2005 study by Heritage Preservation documenting the dire state of the nation’s collections. The multi-faceted, multi-year initiative shines a nationwide spotlight on the needs of America’s collections, especially those held by smaller institutions, which often lack the human and financial resources necessary to adequately care for their collections.

For more information on the conservation initiative, visit http://www.imls.gov/collections .

The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.