Description
Book SynopsisA brand new and fully updated edition of this seminal work on archival preservation.
Access to archival material – the documentary heritage of people all over the world that gives them their identity and ensures their rights – is dependent on the survival of fragile materials: paper, parchment, photographic materials, audiovisual materials and, most recently, magnetic, optical and increasingly digital formats. The primary importance of such survival is widely acknowledged but sometimes overlooked in a rush to provide ever better means of access. But without the basic material, no services can be offered. Preservation is at the heart of archival activity.
Archivists in all types of organizations face questions on how to plan a preservation strategy in less than perfect circumstances, or deal with a sudden emergency. This book considers the causes of threats to the basic material, outlines the preservation options available and offers flexible solutions applicable in a variety of situations. It offers a wide range of case studies and examples from international specialists. This revised edition includes additional material on digital preservation and green building as well as a new chapter on the management and training of volunteers, reflecting a key concern for many archival institutions.
Key topics are:
Understanding archival materials and their characteristics
Managing digital preservation
Archive buildings and their characteristics
Safeguarding the building and its contents
Managing archival storage
Managing risks and avoiding disaster
Creating and using surrogates
Exhibiting archives
Handling the records
Managing a pest control programme
Training and the use of volunteers
Putting preservation into practice.
Readership: Archivists, librarians, curators and enthusiasts, trained and untrained, in museums, local studies centres and voluntary societies in need of good clear advice.
Trade Review…a welcome update…The vast practical experience of the two authors clearly enriches the text. Archivists and librarians will find it a great tool to turn to for high level preservation advice, and for students it will provide a good broad overview of the varied issues facing collections.
-- Business Archives
It is a book that all archive managers should read at least once, as it will guide them to developing that vital preservation strategy that is right for their archive and will be much needed when it comes to implementing improvements in the care of collections.
-- Archives and Records
Forde (fomerly Preservation Services, UK National Archives, and educator) and Rhys-Lewis (preservation and collections management consultant, and curation and stewardship, U. College London, UK) provide a completely updated second edition of their book on archival preservation. Topics include understanding archival materials and their characteristics, archive buildings, safeguarding the building and its contents, managing storage, exhibiting archives, and training and the use of volunteers.
-- Reference and Research Book News
This second edition...is a must-read handbook for three main audiences: those who already work within the area, those who want to work within it, and those who need to understand the issues or elements involved to be able to manage a quality archives operation.
-- Australian Academic & Research Libraries
Table of Contents1. Introducing archive preservation 2. Understanding archive materials and their characteristics 3. Managing digital preservation 4. Archive buildings and their characteristics 5. Safeguarding the building and its contents 6. Managing archival storage 7. Managing risks and avoiding disaster 8. Creating and using surrogates 9. Moving the records 10. Exhibiting archives 11. Handling the records 12. Managing a pest control programme 13. Training and the use of volunteers 14. Putting preservation into practice
