Library coordinator secures grants to enhance collections, archives

Amanda “Mandi” Shepp, coordinator of Special Collections and Archives in Reed Library, was awarded three grants totaling $21,000 during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Hired in Fall 2018, Ms. Shepp has brought her experience as a successful grant writer to Fredonia from her many years as director of the Marion Skidmore Library in Lily Dale. The three recent grants awarded are from the Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) and the Western New York Libraries Resources Council (WNYLRC).

The first DHPSNY award is a competitive strategic planning grant, valued at $10,000 that supports the creation of a 2020-2023 strategic plan for the Special Collections and Archives division. Consultants will assist Shepp in creating a strong mission and vision for the library's world-renowned collections.

The second DHPSNY grant, for $6,000, will fund a preservation survey. The grant will support the evaluation of the collections, storage spaces and exhibit spaces in Special Collections and Archives. It will culminate in the creation of a document that gives suggested preservation actions to improve longevity and use of collections.

The third grant awarded, a WNYLRC Innovation and Access Grant, provides $5,000 that will allow for the digitization of Chautauqua County directories, resulting in world-wide access to the valuable research and genealogy resource.