Thomas More University was one of just 65 schools nationally to receive a Preservation Assistance Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The university plans to use the $10,000 grant to fund a general preservation assessment, train staff, and purchase preservation supplies for a special collection in the Thomas More Room of the Benedictine Library.
Thomas More is the only Kentucky institution to receive a preservation assistance award in this grant cycle.
Objectives outlined in Thomas More University’s grant submission entitled “Inspiring Scholars: Preservation Assessment for the Special Collections Room,” will be carried out during the grant period of September 2022 through August 2023.
During this time, expert consultants from Lyrasis, a nonprofit organization supporting libraries, archives, and museums around the world, will visit campus to examine the Thomas More Room and provide guidance and training on how to adequately preserve the special collection, ensuring that it can be used by students and scholars studying the works of St. Thomas More for years to come.
The Thomas More Room’s collections illustrate the social development of the local community, with a focus on Catholicism in Kentucky.
The room is primarily a collection of rare and historic books, university ephemera, local history works, and works pertaining to the history of the Catholic Church.
“Not only will this grant support the Thomas More Room,” said John Ernst, director of the Benedictine Library and the Center for Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship, “but it will also support initiatives from our Strategic Plan – Lighting the Way. In working with the NEH, the premier agency for the humanities, we are strengthening the academic reputation and reach of Thomas More University, while also creating valuable connections and ensuring the longevity of our resources.”
Thomas More released a five-year strategic plan and capital campaign during its centennial celebration in 2021 with a primary focus to accelerate campus investments, solidify new financial partnerships, and introduce innovative academic opportunities.
The goal is to elevate the University’s visibility and stature in the global community as the region’s premier Catholic University.
For more information about Thomas More University, visit www.thomasmore.edu.