Connecting to Collections Free Webinars Launch This Week! The Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) initiative, Connecting to Collections, created a national network of individuals and institutions committed to preserving collections for future generations.  Based on the content of the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, Forums, and Workshops, Heritage Preservation, in partnership with IMLS and the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has produced a series of free webinars. The series launches on October 28 with two webinars focused on innovative solutions for using the media, both “traditional” and “new” on behalf of your institution’s collections. The series has a dual focus: 1) Learning how to conduct outreach to the media, the public, and funders on behalf of collections, and 2) Deriving maximum benefit from the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf.  Sign up for the entire series, or select just the sessions that most interest you.  And feel free to invite your colleagues to participate as well; it’s free of charge!  You are also encouraged to organize a group in your institution or community to participate in the webinar, then work together to put in action what you have learned. Telling the Story of Your Collections to the Press Thursday, October 28, 2010 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT Presenter: Anne Edgar, Founder and Principal, Anne Edgar Associates, New York Commentator: Judith H. Dobrzynski, Arts Writer, New York Do you feel that your collection is rich in stories, but no one is interested? Publicist Anne Edgar, who has generated media coverage for museums large and small, will discuss how to attract the attention of journalists, especially for stories that don’t appear compelling at first glance. She will be joined by Judith H. Dobrzynski, freelance arts contributor to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and other publications. Even if you are not responsible for public relations at your institution, their advice will help you present your collections’ stories in a way that will draw attention. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT: BREAK Using Social Media to tell Your Collections’ Stories Thursday, October 28, 2010 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. EDT Presenter: Nancie Ravenel, Objects Conservator, Shelburne Museum, Vermont Commentator: Colleen Dilenschneider, Museum and Non-Profit Blogger, California While the morning session will focus on attracting the attention of journalists who will tell your story, this afternoon’s session on social media will help you tell the story yourself, directly to readers, through the ever-expanding worlds of Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Foursquare, and beyond. Nancie Ravenel, a conservator with an interest in social media, has taken the lead in using social media to share information about the Shelburne Museum. Colleen Dilenschneider writes the popular blog Know Your Own Bone, and helps museums and non-profits evolve through community engagement using social media.