Preservation planning: the big picture and the small picture By Heidi Rees, M.A., M.L.I.S. Acting Head, Government Collections and Library Systems, Manitoba Legislative Library

What does preservation look like? Old books and documents Old, rare books and documents Folios Latex or cotton gloves Masks

The Big Picture: Planning at the Collection Level  Formal direction  Library mandate  Client-focused planning  Selection and withdrawal

House of Lords Journals Formal direction Library mandate Client-focused planning Selection and withdrawal

Birds Hill Provincial Park Formal direction Library mandate Client- focused planning Selection and withdrawal

The Small Picture: Planning at the Item Level

Placing items in acid-free envelopes

Placing material in covered boxes

Avoid shelf-overcrowding

The Small Picture: Planning at the Item Level Envelopes Covered Boxes Archival paper Shelving Dry air Cooler room temperature Stable temperature

The Manitoba Experience 1)Retrofitted building (1970s) 2)Multiple HVAC systems 3)Lack of alarms 4)No automatic fire suppression in the building 5)Open staircases

Recent Emergencies

#1 Water from a leak in another part of the building was channelled along the corrugated ceiling

Closer view of the water exit point

Wider view of the water exit point

# 2 A blocked drain located within the ceiling caused a leak

Resources UNESCO Canadian Conservation Institute British Library Preservation Advisory Centre Heritage Institute

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Heidi Rees Manitoba Legislative Library (fax)