Practical Preservation and Conservation Strategies for Libraries

Designed as a “how-to” manual, Practical Preservation and Conservation Strategies for Libraries provides librarians with practical information to help them grapple with specific preservation challenges by identifying areas of concern, optimizing the use of resources put towards preservation, and establishing goals for continual improvement over time. Straightforward and pragmatic, it helps a library to reduce immediate and long-term preservation costs, and strengthen a library’s collection development goals. Topics include: Preservation in the digital ageEstablishing long-term preservation goals Environmental conditions Preservation needs of specific collections Understanding use patterns for library materials Identifying potential threats to a collection Recognizing readily available preservation resourcesAlmost 50 photographs, figures, checklists, and other tools make this a practical guide libraries will use on a day-to-day basis.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1Crossing the Preservation Rubicon Chapter 2Environmental Conditions Chapter 3Use Patterns Chapter 4Collection Development Chapter 5Preservation Resources Available Chapter 6Library Binding Chapter 7In-house Book Repair Chapter 8Preservation Treatment Decision Making Chapter 9Training Staff and Patrons on Care and Handling of Library Materials Chapter 10Disaster Planning Chapter 11Digital Preservation Conclusion

About the Author :
Brian Baird served as a conservator and preservation librarian at Princeton University and the University of Kansas. He has taught preservation courses at several universities and consulted widely on preservation issues. Brian worked in the private sector for several years providing preservation and library binding services to libraries across the United States before returning to academia at Brigham Young University. He has been active in researching and publishing about preservation issues.

Review :
This compact preservation course can be easily accessed at any time and should be a reference shelf standard for librarians and archivists, particularly those who work in small institutions. . . . this book would be useful for any librarian interested in preservation or establishing a preservation program, as well as library administrators. Baird speaks to libraries with the voice 25 years of experience. No jargon, no grand theories, just practical options for collections care. A must-read for anyone new to preservation wanting to know what to do to keep materials accessible. Baird’s Practical Guide is indeed just that, very practical. Clearly and concisely written, Baird’s step-by-step instructions make the tasks doable, and his years of experience in the field are evident in the many constructive words of wisdom he shares.