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

Webinar: An Introduction to DHPSNY Services

When: June 24th, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Where: Virtual Webinar on Zoom

All are welcome to join this virtual webinar to learn more about the free services Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) provides to New York institutions caring for archival and library research collections. Please register to attend and/or receive a recording.

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:

• July 9th
• August 13th
• September 10th

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

Summer Tour & Talk: Oswego “Double Feature”

When: Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, 10:30 am – 3 pm

Where: Penfield Library – SUNY Oswego, 7060 State Route 104, Oswego, NY & 

Oswego County Historical Society/Richardson-Bates House Museum, 135 E. 3rd Street, Oswego, NY

Northern New York Library Network members and fellow colleagues are invited to a double feature tour with double the hosts and double the tours. We will start with a morning tour of SUNY Oswego’s Penfield Library and wrap up the day with an afternoon tour of Oswego County Historical Society – located in the beautiful Richardson-Bates House Museum!

Between tours, all are invited to enjoy lunch (to be provided by the Network) and have a chance to connect about ideas, work, and current trends in the field.

Save the Date: DHPSNY Red Flag! Workshop (In-Person)

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

When: Thursday, September 17th, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Northern New York Library Network (Potsdam)

Led by DHPSNY Preservation Education Specialist Kate Jacus, this free hands-on workshop helps participants recognize common preservation issues or “red flags,” in paper, book, and photographic materials. Participants will learn 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 focuses on practical decision-making and understanding when to rehouse materials, improve storage conditions, or seek conservation treatment. By the end of the session, participants will feel more confident identifying issues and setting informed, manageable next steps for collections care.

*Registration Coming Soon

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.

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.