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WESTERN CENTER RECEIVES CONSERVATION BOOKSHELF  Historical artifacts and ancient fossils held by the Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology will be preserved for future generations with help from the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, a core set of conservation books, DVDs, and online resources donated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding of the nation’s museums and libraries. The Western Center received a set awarded during the first round of awards. IMLS will award a total of 2,000 free sets of the IMLS Bookshelf by the end of 2008.
"This is a valuable resource for the Western Center staff and volunteers. As a new museum, it can be difficult to obtain quickly the resources needed to train new staff and volunteers in the best practices for preserving artifacts and fossils. We are grateful for the recognition in receiving this award, " noted Paisley S. Cato, Assistant Director at the Western Center.
“We are pleased to announce the first group of IMLS Bookshelf recipients. These small libraries and museums are taking up the charge to care for America’s heritage,” said Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, Director of IMLS. “A recent national study tells a sobering story about the state of America’s library and museum collections. Without immediate action we stand to lose important collections that are at the heart of the American story.”
The Western Center is among the first to receive this essential set of resources based on an application describing the needs and plans for care of its collections. The IMLS Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in 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 crucial 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. Click here for more information on the conservation initiative. About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services 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. To learn more about the Institute, please visit the IMLS Website. Click here for the Western Center Press Release |
| WESTERN CENTER RECEIVES LEED PLATINUM CERTIFICATION The Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology, as part of the Water + Life Museums complex near the entrance to the Diamond Valley Lake, received notification of the Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. Executive Director Richard Giese noted, "It is exciting to be part of the first museum complex to secure such a distinct achievement. The challenges of creating a green building that addresses the preservation requirements for artifacts and fossils are extensive; it is a credit to the design and construction team that the goal was achieved."
 photo by Jim Watters, Sr.
About the Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology: The Western Center museum and outdoor learning center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the archaeological and paleontological resources of Riverside County. The core of the collection is nearly 1 million artifacts and specimens found during the excavation of Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet California. Lehrer + Gangi Press Release |
ANCIENT TREASURES
 The Western Center for Archaeology & Paleontology celebrated its first anniversary by hosting its first temporary exhibition. Through a partnership with La Sierra University, and the efforts of its President Emeritus Dr. Lawrence T. Geraty, the Western Center presented “Ancient Treasures from the Middle East,” from October, 2007, through January, 2008.
The exhibition highlighted artifacts that represent the daily life of people living in the region of the Dead Sea during the Iron Age which dates back roughly 4,000 years ago. Nearly 200 artifacts were featured and visitors were pulled into the past to explore and experience the activities of daily living within a four-room house. Pieces were displayed together showing the progression of simplistic ceramic designs to ornate metal pieces, offering a timeline of the past.
“The Ancient Treasures allowed visitors insight into a culture and region of the world that holds great fascination for many people. Without the support of La Sierra University, this would not have been possible,” said Executive Director Richard Giese.
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Recent articles about the Western Center... Diamond Valley Lake museum buildings rated 'Platinum'
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The Architects Newspaper, New York, NY, USA |
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