Conservation OnLine Saved by AIC

I have posted over the past several weeks about the decline in interest from many governments and institutions about the decline in material culture conservation programs. The Conservation OnLine (CoOL) database hosted by Standford University for the past 22 was no longer able to continue managing the database. I would assume the sever economic issues in California had much to do with the decision.

The Art Newspaper is reporting the American Institute for Conservation will take over managing the online database. So instead of closing, the database will continue to server the conservation profession.

The Art Newspaper states CoOL has proven to be a useful resource for conservation professionals and the institute’s decision to sustain the database has been met with great relief from the conservation community. The forum is used by nearly 10,000 conservators in more than 90 countries and is most valued for the open discussions that occur in its “DistList” section. The institute has recognised the need for a brisk and seamless transition and hopes to return the DistList to full operation as soon as possible. According to the institute: “Our goal is to keep CoOL and the DistList safe, viable, objective and accessible for the conservation community worldwide.”