Massachusetts Libraries steward unique and locally significant collections representing the history of their local communities and residents.
These materials, whether physical or digital in form, require specialized handling and storage measures, additional safeguards for access, and ongoing stewardship by librarians, archivists, and curators with in-depth knowledge of environmental factors and use-related impacts. Library staff, interns, and volunteers spend time stabilizing and rehousing fragile materials, creating and describing digital surrogates, estimating shelf and online storage needs, and monitoring for mold and pests. They may also need to research and navigate rights, permissions, and other legal questions connected to preserving and making the collections publicly available.
MBLC is committed to supporting Massachusetts Libraries across this broad spectrum of preservation activities. The agency’s Preservation services include
MBLC aligns its preservation-focused programs and activities with its mission to promote equitable access, advance innovation, and foster resilience in Massachusetts Libraries.
MBLC's Preservation in Massachusetts Libraries guide aims to be a useful, “at your fingertips” collection of preservation information, resources supporting good practice, introductions for further learning on a particular collections care topic, and a sampling of programs, organizations, service providers, and supply vendors - shared as examples, but not endorsements for any specific company or consultant. If you have additional questions about the information, activities, equipment, opportunities, or other topics included in this guide, or more broadly in the library and cultural heritage preservation ecosystem, please contact Jessica Branco Colati, MBLC's Preservation Specialist.
n.
the professional discipline of protecting materials by minimizing chemical and physical deterioration and damage to minimize the loss of information and to extend the life of cultural property
the act of keeping from harm, injury, decay, or destruction, especially through noninvasive treatment
v., preserve
to keep for some period of time; to set aside for future use
to take action to prevent deterioration or loss
[Source: Dictionary of Archival Terminology]
American Institute for Conservation's (AIC) wiki, offering a compendia of working knowledge on materials and techniques used to preserve and treat works of art and historic artifacts, including techniques, technologies, and methods.
ALA's Preservation Guide offers resources to educate and inform libraries in the provision of long-term access to the physical and intellectual contents of their collections through conservation, preservation, and digitization.
An online textbook from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) provides an informative overview of an effective preservation program's core concepts, standards, and practices.
A guide to handling and storing books in order to prolong their life and prevent damage from the Library of Congress.
Online preservation resources from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), organized by material type/format, preservation method, program focus, and broader strategic information.