We’ve made a group, and you can join!

The North Country Special Collections Collaborative is made up of Northern NY cultural organizations, from public libraries to museums to arts organizations.

We do things together! Like…

• Meet-up at heritage institutions for tours and discussions
• Share resources, questions, and connect with fellow history, heritage, and cultural workers via an email list
• Prototype solutions to shared needs rather than thinking or just talking about them

Join the Group

Do you work in a cultural organization in the North Country? Fill out the interest form or email Katelyn to become part of the community.

North Country Resource Exchange

A community-driven platform that aims to make the exchange of materials and knowledge easier, more visible, and more sustainable between cultural institutions across the North Country.

Upcoming Activities

Fall Tour & Talk: Chazy Double Feature

When: Friday, October 2nd, 2026, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, followed by a social hour

Where: Alice T. Miner Museum, 9618 US-9, Chazy, NY & Miner Institute – Heart’s Delight Farm Heritage Exhibit, 1034 Miner Farm Road, Chazy, NY

Northern New York Library Network members and fellow colleagues are invited to tour two institutions with a shared history in Chazy, the Alice T. Miner Museum & Miner Institute. The “behind-the-scenes” tours will take place from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, visiting both sites. Our hosts will share information about their institution’s history, collection holdings, and current work, with highlights to include how the two organizations collaborate to preserve and carry on the Miner legacy. Attendees will be able to explore the spaces and ask questions.

After the tours, all are invited to enjoy a social hour with light refreshments (to be provided by the Network), giving participants a chance to connect about ideas, work, and current trends in the field.

Registration closed on September 25th.

Special Collections Community Hours

When: 2nd Thursdays of each month, 9-11am

Who: Anyone caring for archival/historic materials

Where: Zoom [Link to Join Community Hours]

Join Special Collections Consultant Katelyn for virtual Community Hours! Inspired by academic office hours, these no-appointment sessions are a shared, collaborative space for all those engaged in special collections work to chat, ask questions, brainstorm, share information, and discuss challenges. While Katelyn will always be available during this time, the group will learn a lot from each other’s knowledge and experiences. Whether you have a question, want to co-work, or simply want to connect with colleagues across the region, you’re welcome to stop by.

Upcoming dates:

• October 8th
• November 12th
• December 10th

To view additional dates, please view the Network’s Events listings.

Past Activities

Special Collections Tour & Talks

Network members and fellow colleagues come together for a behind-the-scenes tours at regional institutions that have special collections. Tours focus on viewing spaces as well as learning about their history and current work. Each tour is followed by time for participants to connect about ideas, work, and current trends in the field.

Collection Management System Demo: CatalogIt with Historic Saranac Lake

2026 September 29

Chessie Monks-Kelly, archivist/curator of Historic Saranac Lake, demonstrated their instance and implementation of CatalogIt and discussed the migration process to this software from PastPerfect.

DHPSNY Red Flag! Workshop (In-Person)

2026 September 17

Presented By: Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for NY (DHPSNY)

Led by DHPSNY Preservation Education Specialist Kate Jacus, this hands-on workshop helped participants recognize common preservation issues or “red flags,” in paper, book, and photographic materials. Participants learned how to identify signs of physical damage, environmental concerns, and handling risks, and how to determine when action is needed. Through guided examples and discussion, the workshop focused on practical decision-making and understanding when to rehouse materials, improve storage conditions, or seek conservation treatment. By the end of the session, participants were more confident in identifying issues and setting informed, manageable next steps for collections care.

New York Archives Conference Watch Party

2026 June 5

Colleagues gathered at the Network to view the 2026 virtual conference, learn about free services available to them (through the Network and Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for NY), win some archival prizes, and engage in discussions about their work and trends in the field.

New York Archives Conference Watch Party

2025 June 13

Colleagues gathered at the Network to view the 2025 virtual conference, learn about Network services (EmpireADC and NYS Historic Newspapers), and engage in discussions about their work and trends in the field.