The document summarizes the Kennedy Branch of the Piscataway Public Library. It describes the library's areas, collections, preservation concerns, and local history room. The local history room aims to document the town's history through donations but lacks formal archival procedures. While there are some best practices, there are also issues like leaking roofs and lack of staff training that could impact preservation of materials.

1. Kennedy Branch – Piscataway Public Library

2. Kennedy Branch – Piscataway Public Library One of two library branches serving the reidents of Piscataway. Building was originally constructed in 1965, and has witnessed several renovations over the years. The library employs 16 individuals, some of them on a part-time basis, and also benefits from the efforts of about 10 volunteers.

3. Areas of the Library

4. Main Stacks Popular fiction and non-fiction Sizable World Language collection

5. Kids Print, audio and audiovisual materials Six computers Storage space

6. Local History Books, maps, and posters Newspaper collection on microfilm Photographs

7. Computer Lab Contains computers, copy machine, and vending machines

8. Café Area Tables and chairs for eating food from the vending machines or outside food.

9. Performance Space Can be rented for events Has small kitchen attached

10. Preservation Hotspots

11. Food Library contains café area. Floor and surfaces of café area easily cleaned. Food consumption not limited to café area.

12. Lighting Lighting consists largely of fluorescent tubing No UV filtering sleeves (insert picture)

13. Windows/Skylights Though windows have shades, they are not closed Very large skylight in center of facility Skylight in children's area has been removed (insert photos)

14. Roof New sloping roof constructed to address leaking New roof built over old roof Roof continues to leak (insert photos)

15. Security Building protected by security system Coming and going is limited to a single entrance Exterior of building surrounded by security cameras Access to keys for secure areas is limited and controlled (insert photos here)

16. Fire Suppression System/Extinguishers Water based fire suppression system running through ceiling above collections Fire extinguishers placed throughout the premises (insert photos here)

17. Climate Systems Modern HVAC system No climate data gathered (insert photos here)

18. Shelving Enamel coated steel (insert photos here)

19. Book Placement Books are arranged well and are not falling over (insert photos here)

20. Disaster Plan Were told that it exists (though the location and contents were not made clear)

21. Local History Room

22. Overview Small but growing Created organically through donations over time Aims to document the history of Piscataway, and places that have been part of Piscataway at one time Not expressly managed as an archives, but it does contain “archival” materials, and a semblance of archival procedures have been applied

23. Preservational Assessment

24. Storage Original documents largely housed in acid-free folders. Many maps housed in polyester sleeves to limit wear. Many photos in polyester sleeves.

25. Reformatting/Digitization Much of accessible portion of the local history collection consists of copies of originals. Some of the oral history collection may be played from online catalog. Transcripts of some oral histories have been created.

26. Accessioning No record of origin exists for most smaller local history items.

27. Description A majority of local history items are not described in the library’s catalog. Among the many exceptions are larger gift collections, municipal records, and some oral histories. No archival finding aids exist. How Local History Appears in Catalog: Catalog Record: Family Scrapbook Catalog Record: Municipal Budget Catalog Record: Oral History

28. Collection Policy Policy is to collect items that document Piscataway’s history, natural history, prominent families, etc., and also records pertaining to communities that were part of Piscataway at one time. Policy is not in writing.

29. Staff Training Staff not trained in archival standards and techniques. Still, Ed, charged with running local history, is a kind and dedicated guy!

30. Conclusion: Preservation Pros and Cons

31. Pros Separate café area with easily cleaned surfaces Window shades New sloping roof Security system Security system Limited points of entry and exit Tightly controlled keys to secure areas Extensive fire suppression system

32. Pros (Continued) Modern HVAC system Enamel-coated steel shelving Properly arranged (non leaning) books Existence of disaster plan Acid-free folders/polyester sleeves for local history collection Some reformatting of local history materials Reasonable collection policy

33. Cons Food consumption not limited to café area No UV filters on lighting Window shades remain open Roof continues to leak Fire suppression system is water based, runs through ceiling above collections No water alarms No climate data gathered

34. Cons (Continued) Little independent ability to control climate in library sections, such as local history area Location/contents of disaster plan unknown to host No accession records for local history holdings Local history holdings largely not described in catalog Collection policy not in writing Staff not trained in archival techniques