Hunter New England Health Libraries has completed a comprehensive Preservation Needs Assessment (PNA), supported through the second phase of Community Heritage Grants program.
This project marks a significant step forward in strengthening the long‑term care, management, and preservation of our historic collection.
Delivered through a two‑day site visit and extensive consultation, the PNA evaluated every aspect of the collection’s current condition and care. This included assessment of individual items, storage environments, building infrastructure, environmental conditions, pest risks, and existing documentation practices. The findings provide a clear framework for improving preservation standards across the collection.
Conducted by Tegan Anthes of Collect Preserve, the assessment highlights several priority actions, including upgrading archival storage, implementing preventive conservation measures, developing a collection‑specific disaster plan, and progressing a digitisation initiative to improve access while reducing handling risks.
This work builds on our first CHG‑funded Significance Assessment by Dr Fiona Starr, which confirmed the national importance of the collection—particularly the John Irvine Hunter materials, rare medical texts, and artefacts associated with James Fletcher Hospital. Together, these projects strengthen our commitment to preserving the region’s rich medical and mental health history for future generations.
📄 Read the full Preservation Needs Assessment report
📄Read the complete Significance Assessment here
👉 Submit an Expression of Interest to donate historical items
👉 Helpful resources on identifying historical items (Video)
📩 For more information about the Preservation Needs Assessment, Significance Assessment please contact Cherish McDonald.