SCHOAM! for July 2026

Special Collections, Historical Organizations, Archives & Museums

in short: News | Grants | Ideas | Events | Webinars | Jobs

News from SCRLC

A New Annual Survey

As part of our new Plan of Service, SCRLC will conduct annual membership surveys. Please complete the survey by August 7, 2026. Thank you!

New Collection: Dutton S. Peterson Library Collection

This collection from Odessa's public library shows decades of library programs and services, from building construction to story time craft projects. This was made possible by a 2025-2026 SCRLC Digitization Grant awarded to the Southern Tier Library System.

New Collection: Arthur Curtis Diaries

Arthur Mills Curtis (1866-1951) was a Mathematics and Penmanship professor at the Oneonta Normal School. From 1910 to 1913, he wrote a series of diaries in which he discussed his views on current events of the time, participation in woman suffrage, religious ideals, involvement in the community, and relationships with his colleagues. These diaries were transcribed by SUNY Oneonta students.

New Collection: Norwich Family Bibles

The Otis A. Thompson Local History Room at Guernsey Memorial Library has family Bibles that have lists of births, deaths, and marriages on their endpapers. These have been photographed for this digital collection. When working through transcriptions for these handwritten pages, I happened to recognize the name Platt Benson Oakley, who has thousands of images on New York Heritage thanks to Historic Geneva.

Grants & Assistance

Don't forget! You have access to Candid Foundation Directory through SCRLC.

Candid's Foundation Directory is a best-in-class research tool that helps nonprofits identify and connect with over 240,000 U.S. grantmakers. The tools available in the database are meant to reveal opportunities beyond published calls for proposals, which Candid claims make up less than 1% of total foundation funding.

To access the directory: https://access.esln.org/

ICYMI: NYSCA/GHHN Conservation Grants

Support of up to $10,000 is available for conservation treatment of paintings, works on paper (including individual drawings, watercolors, prints, or photographs), textiles (including costumes, domestic textiles, and upholstery), furniture, frames, sculpture, historical, ethnographic, and decorative objects by professional conservators. Due Sept. 1.

Ideas & Inspiration

New DHPSNY Website

DHPSNY has unveiled a nice new website design and logo. The darker colors are more accessible and they've kept the feather of their original logo. DHPSNY, which stands for "Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York," is a program funded by the New York State Archives and New York State Library. DHPSNY services are available to all collecting institutions across New York State. The program is managed by the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) of Philadelphia.

Openings for New York Archives Conference (NYAC) Board Members

The Board of the New York Archives Conference (NYAC) is holding an election for open member-at-large positions. Joining the NYAC Board is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network and give back to the profession. Due July 17.

Public Library Awards via NYLA

The Public Libraries Section of NYLA just announced the 2026 awards and scholarships: PLS Innovative Program award ($600, due 8/14); PLS Building Award ($1,000, due 8/14); and PLS NYLA Conference Scholarship Awards (3 awards, $600 each, due 8/14). There are some local history public librarians reading this with great history programs and archives spaces in their building who could apply for these awards.

Happening in the Neighborhood

Delaware

• Delaware County Historical Association is hosting a driving tour on July 18 to visit four cemeteries with Revolutionary War veterans buried there. On July 25, they're hosting the Summer Soiree at the Gideon Frisbee House, with a potluck and dessert buffet. On August 15, they'll have their annual auction benefit with Delhi's This and That.

Otsego

• This Sunday, July 12, at 1 pm, bring your lawn chair to hear Helen Rees and Norma Slawson present "Oneonta's Early Settlers: Lawrence Swart & Others" at the Swart-Wilcox House Museum in Oneonta. Next Sunday, July 19, Harry Bradshaw Matthews will present "African American soldiers in the Revolution War and Beyond." The whole slate of speakers for the free Summer Sunday Series is great, so check it out!
• The Greater Oneonta Historical Society has lots of upcoming tours planned, including one on July 16 of the Homer Folks Tuberculosis Hospital and one in August with Wayne Wright exploring the Oneonta Fairgrounds. GOHS also has many historical markers to unveil this summer and their Hometown Heroes banners are again on display through Veteran's Day.
• Fenimore Art Museum is hosting the Glimmer Globe Theatre this month as they perform As You Like It, and has many kids events planned. Save the date, August 25, for Fenimore Deep-Dives: Julia Madore, Director of Exhibitions, as she discusses fascinating pieces in the collection over Zoom.

Chenango

• Chenango County Historical Society has published a few journal articles as written by community members- a great way to get community involvement and fresh stories! The subjects so far include plank roads, two local women of note, and a local veteran of note.

Broome

• Broome County Public Library has planned a great series of programs with Binghamton University's Archaeology Department (since the summer reading program theme this year is about archaeology). On July 27, Dr. Laurie Miroff will discuss the Precontact History of the Susquehanna Valley. On July 31, the library has a super fun murder mystery event planned, all about a library time capsule! On August 10, John Ferri will talk about The Search for Fort Bull: Archaeological Investigation of a French and Indian War Battlefield.

Cortland

• Yesterday, Cortland County Historical Society hosted a lunchtime lecture with Mike McMahon called "Migrant Labor on New York Dairy Farms." That might be something to borrow for your own event calendar! CCHS has a free workshop planned for July 14 with Brooke Kemak called "Deeds to Discoveries: Researching Cortland County Land Records" that looks very helpful. Other lunchtime lectures planned for this month include Michael Brewster's "Inventing Cortland: The Role of the Revolutionary War" and Tony Kissel's "The Hastings Family of Homer."

Tompkins

• Newfield Historical Society is offering up a free microfilm reader for pickup. Email Jim at newfieldarchives@gmail.com if you're interested.
• The Backbone Ridge History Group, an all-volunteer group working to preserve the history of the area now known as the Finger Lakes National Forest, has recently updated their website to include their recent newsletters full of interesting articles.
• Cornell has a new exhibit about George Washington for America250, which is free to visit at the Kroch Library during their open hours.
• Historic Ithaca is hosting Walk and Talk events, tomorrow (July 11) at 9 am at the Ithaca City Cemetery to learn about Revolutionary War veterans and July 25 at 9 am, at Historic Stewart Park with Friends of Stewart Park and Wharton Studio Museum.
• The History Center in Tompkins County is hosting their annual preservation event for the Tommy plane and their regular HistoryForge transcription sessions. Eve Snyder will be leading a lecture on July 25 showing how HistoryForge shows the layers of history of Six Mile Creek and its changes over time. THC's Move for Museums fundraiser was a huge success: they raised nearly $20,000!
• Tompkins County Public Library has a cool lecture on July 11: the History of Journalism in Tompkins County with Corey Ryan Earle. Next month, on August 13, TCPL will lead a walking tour of the public art around downtown Ithaca, with a focus on literature-inspired projects.


Tioga

• Spencer Historical Society will have an ice cream social on July 19 from 1 to 4 at the museum on Center Street.

Cayuga

• The Cayuga Museum of History and Art will have a traveling exhibition, Harriet: A Taste of Freedom, on display from July 17 through October 17. The exhibition features over 40 artists’ creative interpretations of the life, legacy, and enduring spirit of Harriet Tubman, curated by Larry Poncho Brown. The Cayuga Museum is hosting concerts on the lawn this month, with Petty Thieves playing on July 22. All around the grounds of the Cayuga Museum, you can also see their new History Walk.
• The Seward House Museum continues to have a fantastic social media presence. The museum was recently tagged by local school districts for their field trip tours, and we get to see Nellie Ludemann at work. Auburn's public access channel has just released the recording for a recent SHM lecture: Charlotte Cushman Symbol of an Age. SHM is hosting ghost tours this month: July 17 and 31. Every Saturday morning right as the Auburn farmer's market begins next door at the Equal Rights Heritage Center, SHM is offering free history tours at 9:30 am. Coming up on July 16, SHM is hosting the second annual "O Cara Mia: The Rebecca Carr Memorial Classical Concert."
• Jessica Armstrong, research assistant at the Cayuga County Historian's Office, has just published the culmination of a year of research: Revolutionary War Soldiers Who Received Their Bounty Land and Died in Cayuga County, New York.

Seneca

• Edith B. Ford Memorial Library in Ovid is planning its annual Words & Wine fundraiser for August 12, to be held at Knapp Winery.
• Interlaken Public Library is working on a very cool local history project with the local historical society: A Survey of the Village of Interlaken. "By the end of this project, expected to span over four years, every property within the Village will have been documented, its history recorded, and the information added to the Maurice Patterson Research Room for future historians and researchers to reference."
• Seneca Falls Historical Society is getting ready for their popular Talking Tea, Suffrage Style event on July 19, which features historical reenactors. SFHS is borrowing our Immigration exhibit and the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation's Haudenosaunee Confederacy traveling exhibit, too.
• The Waterloo Library and Historical Society has three great events coming up: Venturing Behind the Scenes at the Memorial Day Museum on July 21, From Home and Beyond: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation on August 3, and the Grown Up Book Fair on July 25 at WeBe Brewing in Geneva.

Schuyler

• Rachel at the International Motor Racing Research Center is growing their digital collections. They still have collections on NY Heritage but thanks to a special donation, they're now hosting their own instance of CONTENTdm, too. IMRRC is hosting a special Racing Story Hour for kids this month.
• Tomorrow, July 11 at 1 pm, Schuyler County Historical Society is hosting a lecture with local history buff Michael Ariano about the Sullivan campaign. This is part of their America250 programming, which has kept them very busy all month. If you follow them on Facebook, you'll also see how their Brick Tavern renovation progress is going. A few weeks ago the new elevator was installed!

Yates

• Yates County History Center will have a special lecture with Perry Ground on August 5 at 6:30 pm: 250 Years of Haudenosaunee History.

Chemung

• Chemung County Historical Society will be hosting an Out to Lunch program on August 12 at 12 pm that connects to their new exhibit, "Fighting for our Nation." The lecture will look at Elmira’s contributions to the American Civil War efforts. CCHS will also visit the Elmira Wisner Park Farmer's Market on August 5 to show off their mammoth tooth.

Steuben

• Kirk House of Steuben County Historical Society just posted a photo of Austin Steward- the only known image of a person enslaved in Steuben County.
• The Southern Tier Library System is working on community time capsules through their member libraries. Visit an STLS member library to submit an entry as described here on the Southeast Steuben County Library site. And no, you're not imagining it; the owl icon in the header of the SSCL website really is blinking at you!

Zooms & Webinars Up Your Alley

[Choice] When AI Comes Knocking: A Decision Framework for Archival Collections

Tuesday, July 14 at 11 am

[METRO] Book Talk: “Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy” With Colin Rhinesmith

Wednesday, July 15 at 1 pm

[NYSL] NY250: Tapestry of New York

Tuesday, July 14 at 10 am

[Trust Archives Initiative] Taxonomies for AI-Generated and Altered Media

Tuesday, July 14 at 12 pm

[Gaylord Archival] Paper Mending Demonstration

Thursday, July 16 at 2 pm

[Backlog] Archival Value

Monday, July 20 at 6 pm

[CDLC] Museum Scan Vendor Demo

Tuesday, July 21 at 3 pm

[Niche Academy] Success(ion) Planning: Increasing Impact Through Talent Development

Wednesday, July 22 at 2 pm

[NYS Archives] The Basics of Maintaining Your Inactive Records Storage

Thursday, July 23 at 10 am

[CLRC] Trauma-Informed Communication Strategies

Thursday, July 23 at 2 pm

[CLRC] We Can Work It Out – A Framework for Library Vendor Negotiations

Thursday, July 30 at 10 am

[CLRC] Highlight Your Local History with Fully Funded Historical Markers

Tuesday, August 4 at 2 pm

[CCAHA] New Tools to Create Dynamin Collections Resources for Your Organization

Tuesday, August 11 at 12 pm

[Library of Congress] Geography & Map Virtual Orientation

Tuesday, August 11 at 3 pm

[ESLN] Introduction to Candid Foundation Directory

Wednesday, August 12 at 10 am

[DHPSNY] Funding: New York State Conservation & Preservation (C/P) Grants

Wednesday, August 12 at 12 pm

[FAIC] Preserving the Now: Archiving in Times of Crisis

Wednesday, August 12 at 12 pm

[LILRC] 9/11 Memorial & Museum Resources for Libraries, Educators, and Communities

Wednesday, August 12 at 1 pm

In-Person Events & Save-the-Dates

• DHPSNY Practical Digitization: Planning, Handling, Imaging Workshop
  Aug. 11 | Painted Post, NY
  Aug. 13 | Greece, NY
• APHNYS 
  Sept. 28-30 | Utica, NY
• NYS Digital Equity Network Annual Conference
  Sept. 29 | Albany
• GHHN Annual Conference 
  Oct. 27 | Yonkers
• National Council for History Education Annual Conference
  March 4-6, 2027 | Providence, RI

Recordings & Follow-up Resources

• DHPSNY: Glove, Actually: Confident Decision Making in Artifact Handling
• DHPSNY: Introduction to Risk Assessment for Collecting Institutions
• Choice & Clarivate: AI Essentials for Academic Libraries: Beyond the Basics
• Choice & Clarivate: Genuine Learning in the Age of AI: A Panel Discussion
• NYSL: Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History
• FAIC: Hidden Supports: The Art and Practice of Mountmaking
• FAIC: May Day 2026 Assessing Risk to Protect Your Collections
• American Historical Association: Advocacy 101 Training Workshop

Openings in the Field

• AI Literacy Librarian at Cornell University
• Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at The Corning Museum of Glass 
• Instructional Assistant - Library Fulton Campus (PT) at Cayuga Community College
• Outreach Coordinator and Administrative Assistant at Alfred University
• Media and Emerging Technologies Learning Associate at Binghamton University
• Manager of K-12 and Family Programs at the Everson Museum of Art
• Archives Assistant at the Rochester Institute of Technology
• Library Technician IV at Syracuse University
• Preservation Librarian at Syracuse University
• Director of Lavery Library at St John Fisher University
• Member Services Librarian/Coordinator at CLRC (Syracuse)
• Historical Services Coordinator at Rochester Public Library
• Library Systems Specialist at SUNY Upstate (Syracuse)