[PADG:104] Core competencies in Preservation

[Karen Brown <KEBrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear PADG: The ALCTS Education Committee is in the process of updating their "Educational Policy Statement of ALCTS" (approved by the ALCTS Board of Directors June 1995). The ALCTS/PARS Education Committee has therefore been asked to make recommendations to update the section "Preserving Access," pasted into the body of this email, below (the full document is online at http://www.ala.org/ala/alcts/alctsmanual/conted/cepolicy.htm).

 

We are asking our colleagues to 1) point us to similar documents regarding preservation core competencies that should be considered to assist the process; and 2) review the policy statement and submit any comments to Karen Brown, Chair, ALCTS/PARS Education Committee, at kebrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The ALCTS/PARS E. Ctee will digest all suggestions and present draft recommendations at the mid-winter meeting in January.

 

Thank you for your support, ideas and suggestions.

 

Karen Brown/Preservation Librarian

SUNY Albany, LE 310 Science Library

1400 Washington Ave., Albany NY 12222

518/437-3923

Preserving Access

Access to library collections is an integral part of librarianship. All librarians must possess a conceptual knowledge of the physical and intellectual nature of library materials as well as the factors affecting the life expectancy of library materials. Librarians must understand basic preservation activities for ensuring continued access to information in the most appropriate format. Knowledge and skills required for preservation of information resources include:

• knowledge and understanding of the interdependent roles that the building, environment, and security and fire protection systems, as well as pest control and housekeeping programs, play in the preservation of collections, and the application of this knowledge for the planning for new buildings and additions to and renovations of existing buildings, including appropriate and nondamaging handling procedures and storage conditions;
• knowledge of and skills in the application of preventive and remedial treatments to keep materials usable for as long as they are needed;
• knowledge of and skills in the application of methods used to preserve materials in their original format when appropriate;
• knowledge to make decisions about the appropriateness of replacing or reformatting deteriorated materials;
• knowledge of not only preservation methods for paper, books, and other current library materials, but also preservation strategies for new and emerging technologies, including the updating and reformatting of magnetic media to allow continued access and protection against viruses, worms, and unauthorized alteration of data and information in electronic media;
• skills in initiating and supporting preservation initiatives at all levels, include supporting research into the causes of deterioration and the application of new treatments and technologies;
• knowledge of the operations of other parts of the organization and how they relate to preserving information resources;
• skills in communicating the need for increased funding for the preservation of endangered materials to appropriate organizations and federal, state, and local government agencies;
• skills in educating current and future librarians, library users, and the public about collection care and preservation;
• skills and initiative to promote the use of permanent and durable media by publishers of information products; and
• knowledge of state-of-the art research and practice in this area.