Publication on library and archives preservation

Knowing the need: a report on the emerging picture of preservation
    need in libraries and archives in the UK

The National Preservation Office's report on preservation need is
the result of preservation assessments carried out in a large number
of libraries and archives over the past five years. A great deal of
data has been collected and analysed, providing a statistical basis
for prioritising preservation activity both within institutions, and
collaboratively.

The headline findings show that:

    *   Significant amounts of unique or nationally important
        material are at risk because of poor preservation practice

    *   There is a lack of environmental monitoring and control
        especially in libraries

    *   13% of material surveyed is actively deteriorating or will
        be damaged if used

    *   50% of material is stored in inadequate accommodation.

The report is being widely distributed. We hope that individual
libraries and archives will be able to apply the generic findings to
their own preservation planning and use the report to raise
awareness of the need to support collections for the benefit of
current and future users. The findings are commended to strategic
consortia, regional and national organisations. Collections are at
the heart of libraries and archives, and must be maintained and
supported in order to underpin access, learning and community
strategies.

The NPO will be working with representatives of key institutions and
organisations to develop strategies to meet the collection needs
which have been identified.

The full text is at
<URL:http://www.bl.uk/services/npo/pdf/knowing.pdf>. A limited
number of paper copies is available : if you require one please
email npo [at] bl__uk

Alison Walker
Head
National Preservation Office
National Preservation Office
British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
+44 20 7412 7798
Fax: +44 20 7412 7796


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:47
                 Distributed: Wednesday, March 29, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-47-013
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