Last week, the Illinois Association of Museums honored the work we do with the 2026 Innovation Award for collections stewardship and the Volunteer Service Award to Carol Straka!
Carol has dedicated over 11,000 hours to the McLean County Museum of History over the last 30 years in various capacities. She is an invaluable resource in our Library & Archives, helping researchers and organizing our collections. Most notably, she led the effort to make our entire vertical file collection into a searchable online catalog. Click here to check it out.
Her work has uncovered overlooked stories, powered major programs and exhibits, and made local history more accessible than ever. Carol, your commitment and passion have left a lasting mark on our community and the Museum, and we thank you.
We also received the Innovation Award for implementing new technologies and project management tools within our Collections Department. This initiative, led by Curator of Collections Jackie Cain, streamlined operations and created systems for consistent data collection and monitoring of our collection spaces. Maintaining consistent environmental conditions is paramount to the long-term preservation of objects. However, our 1903 courthouse building doesn’t always like to cooperate.
Jackie’s innovative tracking system uses Monday.com to maintain a constant pulse on environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. When things fluctuate outside the normal range, we’re instantly notified and can quickly address the issue before too much damage is done. In addition to environmental monitoring, Jackie has also created systems for object processing, inventory, and other vital operations on Monday.com that have transformed the way we work for the better.
