Survey

Formation of Survey Forms

A pre-determined set of individuals were contacted regarding their participation as part of the local advisory team. The confirmation of the team members was finalized during the month of October 1996.

An invitational letter requesting participation as a part of the Survey Review/Support team was composed and mailed to various individuals nationwide. After receipt of the acceptance letters, the listing of this team was finalized. See Attachment No 1

A meeting was held with the local advisory team in November 1996 to devise initial survey questions and concept. A report of that meeting is included as a part of this report as Attachment No. 2

This report was mailed to the Review/Support team members for analysis and comment. Return letters included a few additions and changes to the proposed survey. These adjustments were discussed with the local advisory team and incorporated into the final survey forms.

Database Formation for Survey Results

A potential listing of archives, museums and historical organizations was compiled to be included as a part of this survey. Although a listing of the likely institutions was assembled to address a nationwide sampling, the largest ratio was located in Louisiana. The research involved analyzing over 500 different locations.

Additional names were gathered and subsequently added to the existing database of the general Creole public to be included as a part of the final survey. The resulting database numbered in excess of 1500 names.

The initial database was setup using MS Works due to its ease of use for the average computer user. There is also the ability to export the database to more powerful programs to enable the creation of detailed reports and graphs.

Individual database fields were designed for each survey to allow for various reporting methods. A cut- off date was established in order that data received by that date could be compiled.

Survey I - Targeted Institutions

A survey form directed towards the targeted institutions that could be accessed and answered through the Internet was designed. The survey contained questions relative to the existence and maintenance of collections or exhibits associated with the Creole culture and history, policies involving accepting collections, policies regarding providing workshops and/or seminars; recommended publications regarding cataloging and preservation of cultural items; status of Internet access, and contact information of the institutions. Once the survey form was completed, an Internet search was performed for web sites to the targeted 500 plus institutions.

Each site was reviewed and an e-mail message was sent regarding the survey and directed the recipient to St Augustine Historical Society’s web page, which contained a complete informational sheet and the actual survey.

The Internet survey form was set-up to allow for return of e-mail messages with each answer identified. Example of this concept is shown below:

Question submitted. What is your policy on accepting collections?
     Permanent placement only      Temporary placement only      Both methods      None

If answer was “permanent placement only”, the e-mail returned: COLLECTION POLICY = PERMANENT

This system allowed for correct and quick entry into the database.

Survey II - Creole Public

A survey form directed at the general Creole public was composed of Yes or No questions that could be easily completed in a brief amount of time. A direct mailing of this survey was performed using the existing database on hand. The survey form was also carried as a part of the St. Augustine Historical Society’s web page with a link from the informational sheet mentioned above. E-mail messages were also sent to individuals on file who have Internet access.

All data was entered into the appropriate database and the results are shown below.

Survey Results - Targeted Institutions:

1. Creole Collections - All institutions answering the survey indicating that they maintained collections and/or exhibits labeled as “Creole” are located in Louisiana. It should be noted, however, that over 20% of the answers received outside of the state indicated that they were either interested in obtaining Creole collections or requested additional information regarding Creole collections.
2. Collection Policies - Of those institutions reporting a collection policy, over 73% indicated that their policy was on a permanent basis only. A small portion (13%) of the units surveyed indicated that both permanent and temporary policies were used.
3. Workshops and/or Seminars - None of the institutions responding to the survey indicated that they provided workshops and/or seminars on a regular basis. It should be noted however, that a small portion of these units did state that they would consider the idea. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of the respondents did indicate that workshops were held on an irregular or as-requested basis. Chart No. 1
4. Recommended Publications on Preservation Methods. The following is a listing of the most named publications recommended by the surveyed institutions for the general public:

   “Introduction to the Usmarc Format for Archival and Manuscripts Control”, Marion Matters, SAA

   “Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts”, Fredric M Miller, SAA (2)

   “Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts”, F. Gerald Ham/ SAA

   “Society of American Archivists Manual”

   “Preservation Series”, published by the Historical New Orleans

   “Keeping archives”, 2nd edition (as a good overall guide) ed Judith Ellis

   “Registration Methods for the Small Museum”, Dan Reibel

5. Recommended publications on collection methods. The following is a listing of the most named publications recommended by the surveyed institutions for the general public:

   “Preserving Archives and Manuscripts”, Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler/ SAA (2)

   “Northeast Document Conservation Center Technical Leaflets”

   “The Care of Antiques and Historical Collections”, Bruce MacLeish

   “Society of American Archivists Manual”

   “Preserving Library Materials”, Swartzburg, Susan G.

   “Collection, Use and Care of Historical Photographs”, Weinstein, Robert A.

6. Internet access of cataloging information: Of the institutions surveyed, over 62% stated that their catalog could be accessed through the Internet. This number increases when including only the major universities and archives. Of the remaining 38%, at least one-third stated that they were in the process of getting their catalog online or had future plans to do so.

Survey Results the Creole Public

1. Collection owners: Seventy-eight percent (78%) of the surveyed individuals stated that they had items considered to be artifacts relating to the Creole culture and history. This is based upon the reply regarding having items such as photographs, historical documentation, books, furniture, tools, needlework, folkcrafts, etc. Of this number, only 17% stated that these items were either organized for storage purposes or were on display. Chart No. 2
2. Collection Donations or Loans: In answer to the question on whether the individual was willing to donate items to an institution which could catalog, preserve and display their collections, 17% answered yes. Over one-third of the individuals surveyed stated they would be willing to loan items for display. An even larger number of 68% stated that they would be willing to loan paper artifacts (copies of prints, photos, and historical documents) for the purpose of scanning the information for public research and access. Chart No. 3
3. Learning to Preserve and inventory collections: Over 85% of the surveyed individuals indicated that they would like to learn ways to protect their collections. This same number stated that they did not have access to information regarding general preservation methods and would be willing to attend a workshop that would address the subject. See Chart No. 4 and Chart No. 5
4. Types of help needed: Chart No. 6 gives a breakdown of the percentages regarding various types of assistance this group desires through local archives, museums, libraries, etc. The largest percentage (85%) of information requested addressed the existence and listings of reference materials on Creole history and culture.
5. Maintaining collection ownership: Over 88% stated that they had not made arrangements for future ownership of their collection as a part of a will or similar type document.