The Kentucky Geological Survey, a research center within the University of Kentucky, is one of 75 institutions in the United States selected to participate in the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation’s Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program. CAP helps small and mid-size institutions improve the care of their collections by providing support for a general conservation assessment of the collections and buildings. Through this program, KGS staff will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preservation priorities.

Liz Adams, research administrative coordinator at KGS, is leading the effort. She will select the assessors and coordinate discussions among KGS staff, the governor-appointed KGS advisory board and the assessors.  

“By putting forth these efforts today, we are ensuring the availability of our collections and data for future use by researchers, educators and the general public," Adams said. "Most of the physical items and specimens are donations from various earth science industries, state agencies and individuals or the result of projects funded by the survey and federal and state agencies. The time and financial costs of re-creating these collections would be insurmountable.”

KGS maintains research collections that include rock samples, maps, field notes, project data, publications, photographs and even artwork. Its Earth Analysis Research Library on Research Park Drive contains samples and information from thousands of oil, gas, groundwater, mineral exploration and engineering boreholes drilled throughout the Commonwealth. The assessment will consider environmental conditions, storage, metadata collection and management, and policies related to care of the collection. The final assessment report will help KGS set priorities to improve the care of its geologic collections. The CAP program and the assessors will help KGS write the final report, including recommendations about funding and a timeline for the long-term improvements.

KGS collections are open to the public upon request (subject to restrictions imposed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic) and many parts of the collections can be viewed online via the KGS website.

The CAP program is administered by the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation through a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The foundation saves cultural heritage for future generations, protecting it from decay and destruction. Learn more about the foundation at www.culturalheritage.org/foundation. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. It advances, supports and empowers America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grant making, research and policy development.