1. Preservation Planning & Prioritizing
Nancy E Kraft
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Preservation of Books and Other Media
21-25, May, 2012
IODE Project Office
Oostende, Belgium

2. Planning Consider the following: Why are you saving?
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Consider the following:
Why are you saving?
How does it fit with your collection policy?
How will it be used?
What will it cost in time/money?
What is the value of the item?
What works best for you?

3. Preservation of Books and Other Media
Set priorities

4. Preservation of Books and Other Media
COLLECTION SPECIFIC
Use—materials that are used frequently may be at higher risk than others. They include materials used by researchers or exhibited routinely.
Storage—collections that are stored under adverse environmental conditions or in damaging enclosures may require prompt preservation action.
Condition—items or collections in fragile condition may be at risk unless they receive attention quickly.
Value—absolute value (rarity, monetary worth, intrinsic or associational value, etc.) and/or relative value of collections to the institution may influence preservation priorities. Whether collections have long- or short-term value to the institution will also affect decision-making.
Format—whether or not materials need to be preserved in their original format will also influence priorities.

5. Preservation of Books and Other Media
OVERALL
Impact—those actions that will result in dramatic improvement or a slowing of deterioration, and those that will affect the greatest number of items, may be the highest priority.
Feasibility—this factor is essential; it includes staffing levels and expertise, policy and procedural changes, political considerations, and financial considerations (outside funding, capital outlay, operating costs, expenses for materials and services). Even if the impact of a preservation action is high, it may be given a low priority if implementation is not feasible.
Urgency—there will always be some activities that require immediate action; collections may be damaged or lost, or an opportunity to act on a particular project may be lost, if action is not taken.

6. Preservation of Books and Other Media

7. Preservation of Books and Other Media
Take baby steps

8. local history collection
Preservation of Books and Other Media
CASE STUDY
Public Library
local history collection

9. Preservation of Books and Other Media
Local history collection shelved in 12 different places. Relocate to NW corner in direct line of vision by reference staff.

10. Maytag company catalog interleafed, covers “protected” with duct tape
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Maytag company catalog interleafed, covers “protected” with duct tape
Interleaf with new, thinner paper and consult with
Conservator for binding.

11. Relocate collection away from window and
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Local historical collection in front of window and out of staff line of vision.
Relocate collection away from window and
closer to area where staff can provide better
Supervision.

12. Early photos of library
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Early photos of library
Verify that there are copies of these photos. If not, make copies, withdraw photos from display and replace with copies.

13. Remove historical pamphlets, catalog, put into
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Many older, important local history pamphlets interfiled with ephemeral vertical file items.
Remove historical pamphlets, catalog, put into
protective enclosures and shelve with local
history items.

14. High use microfilm collection of local newspapers
Preservation of Books and Other Media
High use microfilm collection of local newspapers
Rebox into archival boxes, quality check film, if poorly
filmed (blurring, gutter shadows, etc.), schedule to refilm, if
good quality film, select for digitizing, when refilming, have
digitized at same time.

15. Remove historical atlases, shelve with
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Historical atlases shelved with current atlases. Unprotected atlases shelved with bound atlases.
Remove historical atlases, shelve with
historical collection. Put soft cover atlases
into protective enclosures.

16. Verify that slides are as they appear.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Slides appear to be study slides of birds, important works of art, etc.
Verify that slides are as they appear.
Consider discarding or donate to local
school.

17. Improve access by reshelving with other local
Preservation of Books and Other Media
High school yearbooks. Popular research tool. Stored in board room, limited access.
Improve access by reshelving with other local
historical items. Early volumes showing
excessive wear put in protective enclosures.

18. donated to local museum
Preservation of Books and Other Media
CASE STUDY
Large collection
donated to local museum

19. Items in file cabinet well protected, show little wear.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Items in file cabinet well protected, show little wear.
Incorporate other loose file items into
cabinet as items surface. Since items are
well protected, concentrate on other areas of
collection.

20. Majority of collection is stored in highly acidic boxes.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Majority of collection is stored in highly acidic boxes.
Rebox into archival containers as time and
money allows. Monitor collection for signs of
damage from acidic boxes.

21. A few items appear to have mold on them
Preservation of Books and Other Media
A few items appear to have mold on them
Take out of frame and lightly clean (in well
ventilated area or outside.)

22. Preservation of Books and Other Media
CASE STUDY
Archives collection

23. Large unprocessed or partially processed collections.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Large unprocessed or partially processed collections.
As time and money allows, transfer
collections into archival boxes.

24. House unprotected items in archival boxes.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
House unprotected
items in archival
boxes.

25. Manuscript collection
Preservation of Books and Other Media
CASE STUDY
Manuscript collection

26. Slide collection most important
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Clean slides, digitize to archival specifications, store slides in archival plastic sleeves, archival digital image on gold CD, use digital image on silver CD. Image printed out, matted for study or display.

27. Store matted prints in archival boxes for easy transport and study.
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Store matted prints in archival boxes for easy transport and study.

28. Box like items together in appropriate size
Preservation of Books and Other Media
All other material
Box like items together in appropriate size
archival boxes. Audio and video tapes next
priority. All other items low priority.

29. Excerpts for Collection Development Policy, courtesy of Linda Pikula
Preservation of Books and Other Media
Excerpts for Collection Development Policy, courtesy of
Linda Pikula
Nancy E. Kraft
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, IA
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