Preservation Stewardship of Library Collections

Course Information

Instructor: Mark S. Roosa
Location: Los Angeles, California
Mode: In-person
Dates: August 6–10, 2007
Tuition: $995.00

not currently accepting applications

Description

An introduction to the principles and practices of contemporary library preservation with an emphasis on development and management of programs that make possible the responsible stewardship of analog and digital collections. Topics to be covered include: the physical characteristics of library materials, factors affecting collections and control strategies, assessing needs and setting priorities, and development and management of a balanced preservation program. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of science in preservation, conservation, reformatting endangered materials, and the safe exhibition methods. Theoretical models and innovative solutions to preservation problems will be explored as will approaches to aligning the library preservation program with the mission and agenda of the university, museum or institution. Participants will visit select libraries, preservation departments, and laboratories in the Los Angeles area and will hear from leading preservation practitioners.

Requirements

In their personal statement, applicants should provide a brief description of their library or preservation experience, the nature of their interest in this course, and specific topics or issues they would like to see addressed.

Course Readings:

Please read/become familiar with the following before coming to Los Angeles.

Course Texts:

Thomson, Garry. The Museum Environment. 2nd Edition. London: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.

Preservation: Issues and Planning. Edited by Paul Banks and Roberta Pilette. Chicago: The American Library Association, 2000.

Preservation of Library and Archival Materials: A Manual. Third Edition. Andover, MA. Northeast Document Conservation Center, 1999.

Additional readings will be assigned from the books listed below. A copy of each of these volumes will be available in class. Select journal articles will also be assigned.

Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage. Edited by Nicholas Stanley Price, et al. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 1996

Lavedrine, Bertrand. A Guide to the Preventive Conservation of Photograph Collections. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 2003.

Caple, Chris. Conservation Skills, Method and Decision Making. London and New York: Routledge, 2004.

Schweidler, Max. The Restoration of Engravings, Drawings, Books and other works on paper. Translated, edited, and with an appendix by Roy Perkinson. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 2006.

Offered

Credit

Completion of this course helps to meet requirements for one of the following certificate requirements:

  • the Descriptive Bibliography requirement for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts
  • 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice