The deterioration of printed materials is a problem which is plaguing libraries worldwide. Preservation of these millions of volumes is a daunting task--many of the materials are so brittle that the lightest touch may damage them irrevocably. This paper explores the issues of maintaining preservation efficiency without infringing upon copyright…

Discusses oral history interviews in terms of selection criteria, identification, storage conditions, and duplication. (CHC)

Highlights some of the skills and technological advances that have changed the way special collections are preserved in reference to two approaches: item-level conservation and collections conservation. Discusses mechanical paper splitting; computer imaging and mechanization; mass deacidification; controlling temperature, humidity, pests, and…

Discusses the basic issues and practices in the administration of photographic collections, specifically with respect to the preservation of photographic materials, the organization of photographic files, and the cataloging of photographs under the Anglo American Cataloging Rules. An 18-item bibliography is included. (JL)

The Archives Library Information Center (ALIC) acquisition list provides sources of information on a wide range of topics, including military, black history, and government archives, collection development policy, classification of nonprint media, archival preservation and access, electronic records management, and other facets of information…

Our society is witnessing an ever-increasing sophistication in the development and use of computer and associated telecommunications technologies. Archivists are no longer faced with preserving relatively simply numeric files, but with maintaining a vast array of electronic information holdings ranging from complex databases to compound electronic…

Traces developments in cooperative preservation in microfilming projects from 1930s to mid-1980s. Participation by the Library of Congress, American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries, Council on Library Resources, National Endowment for the Humanities, American Theological Library Association, Research Libraries Group, and…

Two articles summarize qualities of medium being used in production of microforms: silver halide film, diazo film, and vesicular film. Highlights include policy of Law Library Microform Consortium, a nonprofit library cooperative and major supplier of legal materials on microfiche; archival storage and preservation; and recent recommendations.…

Describes techniques for assessing the preservation needs of library collections and facilities to provide documentation for preservation program requests. The techniques described involve surveys of the physical facility, the storage environment, the condition of the collection, and preservation related incidents in the past. (nine references)…

A report by the Commission on Preservation and Access and the Research Libraries Group (May 1996) recommends a certification process for digital archives and calls for a legal authority to rescue digital files in danger of being lost. Reactions of the library, archival, and educational communities are reviewed and current actions being taken are…

This self-evaluation form for microform storage and care was designed to assist librarians who work with active non-book collections. Developed from an extensive literature search on the storage and care of non-book materials, the form has been field tested for value and usability in 20 institutions representing a variety of types of library…

Explains how the American Jewish Periodical Center (AJPC) (Cincinnati, Ohio) is meeting and expanding beyond its goal of preserving American Jewish periodicals on microfilm. Holdings of the AJPC, accessing its holdings, preparing materials for filming, the filming process, storing the microfilm, and acquisition of Canadian and Latin materials are…

Description of the Optical Disk Pilot Program of the Library of Congress defines characteristics and differences between analog videodisks and optical digital disk technology. Benefits of the optical digital disk, material selection, and the system configuration (bibliographic indexing, document preparation and input scanning, image and record…

Describes Louisiana State University Libraries' Electronic Imaging Laboratory for preservation. The project uses digital imaging technology to reformat rare book materials for access. This technology can exist with traditional conservation procedures. (JLB)

Examines the need for reevaluating archival principles and practices. Reviews opportunities created to enhance and enrich archival work and difficulties of archiving digital information. Illustrates the consequences in terms of selection and appraisal of records. Emphasizes the impact of digital information on ethical, legal and societal issues.…