December 06, 2005
Associated Press: "Museum Artifacts in U.S. in Danger"
Millions of rare artifacts in museums and libraries across the United States are slowly disintegrating because of improper storage, reports the Associated Press, detailing the results of a comprehensive survey directed by 1993 Earlham graduate Kristen Overbeck Laise for the Washington, D.C.-based conservation group Heritage Preservation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Said to be the largest-ever study of its kind, the survey examined the status of art, literary and historical collections at more than 3,300 museums, libraries and archives around the country. It found that about 65 percent of those collections already had suffered some damage, mostly because of a lack of appropriate environmental controls that prevent damaging fluctuations in temperature, light and humidity. A principal goal of the survey is to convince government agencies, private foundations and governing boards of various institutions that they need to direct money not just toward acquiring objects, but also toward their preservation. “Like personal health, preventive care pays off in the long run, and the price tag for solutions is often not as high as the cost of what could ultimately be lost,” says Laise, who also recently spoke about the survey with National Public Radio.
December 02, 2005
"Obscure" Virus Infects Immunology Students — With Enthusiasm!
Assistant Professor of Biology Peter Blair had no idea six months ago how his selection of a then-little known virus would inject a new level of interest and excitement into students in his immunology class.