Preservation Self-Assessment Program (PSAP)

The University of Illinois and its project partners are proud to
announce that after two years of development and testing, The
Preservation Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) is available for use:

    <URL:https://psap.library.illinois.edu>

The PSAP is a free online tool that helps collection managers
prioritize efforts to improve conditions of collection materials.
Through guided evaluation of items and collections, storage/exhibit
environments, and institutional policies, the PSAP produces reports
on the factors that impact the health of cultural heritage
materials, and defines the points from which to begin care.

The PSAP was created to assist any organization that collects paper
documents/books, photographic and image materials, and audiovisual
media, including library special collections, archives, museums, and
historical societies.  Like the Audiovisual Self-Assessment Program
(AvSAP) which preceded it, the PSAP is designed to assist in
organizations where little to no prior preservation training exists.
Our goal is to help collections managers develop a prioritized
preservation plan as well as to educate them on the "health risks"
posed to their collections and what they can do to mitigate them
with the resources at hand.

In addition to the assessment functions, the PSAP also offers the
Format ID Guide among other useful resources.  The Format ID Guide
is a stand-alone guide that can assist collection managers in
identifying the formats of materials in their collections ranging
from matte collodion photographs to U-matic video recordings.  Once
identified, the Format ID Guide provides useful advice on that
material type's history, composition, preservation challenges, and
optimal storage and display.

About the developers of PSAP: The University of Illinois Library
partnered with Heritage Preservation, the Spurlock Museum, the
Illinois State Library, the McLean County Museum of History, the
Chicago History Museum, The Urbana Free Library, and the Illinois
Heritage Association on this project.  The PSAP was made possible
with generous support through a National Leadership Grant by the
Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS).

For more information on the Preservation Self-Assessment Program
visit the PSAP website at:

    <URL:https://psap.library.illinois.edu>

Jennifer Hain Teper
Bud Velde Preservation Librarian
Professor and Head, Preservation Services
Room 425 Main Library
1408 W Gregory Drive
University of Illinois
217-244-5689


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