ACRL College & Researc Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

PRESERVATION NEWS

Prepared by Barbara Brown

College Libraries Committee Commission on Preservation and Access

• Evanston, Illinois. In October 1990 the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Libraries embarked on a one-year project to explore the mass deacidification processes and the organizational issues raised by them. A series of test runs is being conducted to simulate and measure organizational and logistical steps. All known mass deacidification vendors were invited to conduct the test runs, with two choosing to participate. A total of 1,700 items will be deacidified with the completion of three test runs. Based on the experience gained in the first two test runs, the third test (now underway) will result in each participating library experiencing first-hand the organizational issues of mass deacidification, including selection of materials, in- house staffing and procedural issues, quality control work, and marking or recording treatment. Before the end of the year, the CIC Task Force on Mass Deacidification plans to issue a document reporting on its activities and making recommendations.

The CIC is an academic consortium of major midwestem research universities, including the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, the University of Iowa, Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For further information, contact Sue Nutty, CIC Mass Deacidification Coordinator, at (708) 467-1379.

• Andover, Massachusetts. The Summer 1991 issue of the Northeast Document Conservation News contains two practical articles: “Relaxation of brittle paper artifacts by humidification” and “A matter of control—conserving the precious items in your collection involves setting and maintaining an appropriate degree of climate control, part two.” Single issues may be obtained by writing the Field Services Office, Northeast Document Conservation Center, 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810.

• Washington, D.C. A new report from the Commission on Preservation and Access explores the feasibility of a project to study the means, costs, and benefits of converting large quantities of preserved library materials from microfilm to digital images. The 41-page report, From Microfilm to Digital Imagery, was developed under contract to the Commission by Donald J. Waters, Head, Systems Office, Yale University Library.

• Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Harvard University Library Task Group on Collection Preservation Priorities has published a 74-page report, Preserving Harvard’s Retrospective Collections (April 1991). The publication is the group’s first step towards the development and systemization of a comprehensive preservation program for Harvard’s library collections. Topics discussed include selection for preservation action, preservation strategies, and preserving access. The report concludes with a summary of recommendations, which is intended to suggest priorities and a direction for individual library directors, senior librarians, and university officials. The publication is available for $15.00 from the Harvard University Library Publications Office, 25 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

• Lexington, Virginia. The first Preservation Management Seminar for College Libraries was held July 20-27 at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. The 16 participants were chosen on a competitive application basis, and all serve as the preservation coordinator for their libraries. Prior to the seminar, each had to complete an extensive set of readings and homework assignments. In 65 hours of classroom training and small- group working sessions, the seminarprovided training in preservation management and gave attendees an opportunity to develop specific documents and detailed plans for local use.

Planning for the seminar, reported over the past year in this column, was a collaborative venture between the SOLINET Preservation Program and the College Libraries Committee of the Commission on Preservation and Access. Partial fundingfor the development of the seminar was provided by the Commission on Preservation and Access through a grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Initial evaluations of the seminar, by participants and faculty alike, were very high. A follow-up evaluation will be conducted by the College Libraries Committee in February 1992, in which seminar participants and their library directors will assess the impact of this training. In October 1991 the College Libraries Committee and SOLINET will determine whether, when, and where to offer the seminar in 1992.

The 16 participants and two members of the College Libraries Committee are shown in the above photo: [left to right]: front row: Kathleen Spencer, chair of the College Libraries Committee and associate vice president for academic affairs and college librarian, Franklin & Marshall College; Gail Garfinkle, College of Charleston; Robin Brabham, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Vicki Stanton, University of North Florida; Margaret Clerkin, Middlebury College. Second row: Vickie Kline, York College; Catherine Crohan, Siena College; Krista Armstrong, Shenandoah University; Annette Morris, Georgetown University Law Center; Yolanda Warren, Washington & Lee University; Anne Armour, University of the South; Rebecca Stuhr-Rommereim, Grinnell College. Back row: Barbara Brown, member of the College Libraries Committee and university librarian, Washington & Lee University; Jane Hedberg, Wellesley College; Michael Sutherland, Occidental College; Ruth Ash, Berry College; Robert Garzillo, Rhode Island School of Design; Art Bagley, University of Tampa. Not included are the four faculty members: Charlotte Brown, Franklin & Marshall College; Carol Eyler, Mercer University; Lisa Fox, SOLINET; and Carolyn Clark Morrow, Harvard University.

Ed. note:Contributions to this column may be sent to Barbara Brown, University Library, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA 24450; FAX (703) 463-8964; e-mail brown.b.j@p9955. wlu.edu