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This plan is part of the larger Department of Cultural Affairs Strategic Plan.
Vision
Statement
To help Iowans comprehend who
they are and what they can become, the State
Historical Society of Iowa serves as a trustee of
Iowa's historical legacy and an advocate for
understanding Iowa's past.
Mission
Statement
The State Historical Society of
Iowa has a dual mission of preservation and
education.
As a trustee of Iowa's
historical legacy, SHSI identifies, records,
collects, preserves, manages, and provides access
to Iowa's historical resources.
As an advocate of understanding
Iowa's past, SHSI educates Iowans of all ages,
conducts and stimulates research, disseminates
information, and encourages and supports
historical preservation and education efforts of
others throughout the state.
Goals
and Objectives
Goal
1:
Administer
a planned program to identify, evaluate, record,
collect, preserve, and make accessible the
essential evidence of Iowa's history using the
highest professional standards.
a. Identify and
collect appropriate manifestations of Iowa
history.
b. Provide a safe
and stable environment for SHSI collections by
maintaining, monitoring, and surveying the storage
and exhibit facilities.
c. Provide
appropriate preservation measures and conservation
treatments to protect SHSI collections.
d. Expand access to
and knowledge of SHSI collections, and enhance
referrals to outside resources.
e. Assist and
educate other agencies, organizations, private
businesses, and individuals in evaluating
preserving, and establishing suitable
environmental standards and professional practices
for their collections and properties.
Goal 2:
Excite
and educate the public about history, particularly
Iowa history, by systematically providing
historical and technical services, programs,
exhibitions, and materials.
a. Nurture the
enthusiasm of existing audiences for Iowa history
b. Identify new
audiences throughout the state and create programs
that awaken their curiosity about history.
c. Utilize
appropriate media and technology to maximize educational opportunities.
d. Assist the
public in researching, preserving, and
understanding history, especially Iowa history.
Goal 3:
Nurture
mutually beneficial partnerships to maximize
SHSI's dual mission of preservation and education.
a. Foster
relationships that promote the sharing of
historical re- sources and information, including
technical assistance, facilities, finances, and
personnel.
b. Encourage the
development of partnerships that allow for expanded work toward SHSI's mission.
c. Promote
beneficial partnerships that encourage lifelong
learning about Iowa history from youth through
senior citizens.
d. Strengthen
partnerships that encourage the preservation and
documentation of Iowa's historic resources.
Goal 4:
Conduct, promote, and
publish research about Iowa history in appropriate
formats.
a. Cultivate
diverse ways of researching and publishing Iowa
history while maintaining high scholarly standards
for all historical research, interpretation, and
publications.
b. Maintain an
active publications program targeting diverse aud-
iences through scholarly, popular, and educational
historical publications at the current high
standards of quality.
c.
Expand marketing and increase visibility of SHSI
publications.
d. Monitor new
technologies and embrace opportunities that
enhance access to research collections and help
disseminate research products.
e. Identify
critical areas in need of study and initiate
internal or collaborative research and publication
in these areas.
Goal 5:
Identify, develop,
apply, and evaluate internal resources to
accomplish SHSI's mission of preservation and
education.
a. Annually
evaluate and amend the strategic plan and provide
feedback to staff and constituents.
b. Provide
professional, technical, and interpersonal skill
development opportunities for paid and volunteer
staff.
c. Furnish all
advisory and partner groups with the necessary
information to 1) communicate SHSI's mission to
the public and 2) solicit public input to assist
SHSI in fulfilling its mission.
d. Maintain,
develop, and preserve SHSI's facilities including
build- ings, grounds, and equipment, to improve
preservation functions, educational opportunities,
public accessibility, and security.
Goal 6:
Increase Iowans'
awareness, support, and appreciation of SHSI
programs and services.
a. Increase
statewide visibility for SHSI program areas.
b. Actively promote
SHSI's programs and services as being both
valuable and desirable.
c. Generate support
for SHSI through new and existing financial,
material, and human resources, both public and
private.
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