Elements of a Preservation Policy

Mirjam J. Foot

I 1 Definitions (e.g. of preservation, conservation, surrogating)
2 Mission Statement or Strategic Objectives of the Library
3Strategic Objectives for preservation of the collection
(policy principles, including a statement on cooperation, where appropriate)
4Needs assessment
5Retention Statement - (or link to separate retention policy);
   possible link to collection development policy
6Security Statement - (or link to separate security policy)
7Link to Storage policy -
    Statement of (desired) environmental conditions or
    reference to relevant national/international standard
8Link to Access policy -
    Guidelines for access; guidelines for handling of material
    (to cover e.g. reading room access, access for loan, reprography, exhibitions)
9 Statement of preservation philosophy (preventive preservation balanced with active conservation)
10Surrogating or substitution policy
IIaSelection for preservation
- based on priority setting according to:
   • objectives of the library
   • retention policy
   • significance/value/rarity of material
   • amount and kind of usage
   • physical condition
bBudgeting for preservation
   • resources needed
   • resources available
c Education and Training of:
   • all library staff
   • conservation and preservation staff
   • users
dRisk assessment and risk management
eDisaster control
f Policy for, or statement on, research and development
gTreatments
-   Standards and benchmarks
-   Types of material (e.g. paper vellum, bound, unbound, manuscript,
    print, newsprint, art on paper, scrolls, seals, etc.)
-  Non-print media (e.g. film, photographs, audio-visual material,
    electronic material, etc.)
hStatement of responsibility
(including reviews, implementation and monitoring)





Dr. Mirjam M. Foot
British Library
Collections and Preservation
96 Euston Road
NW1 2DB London, England
mirjam.foot@bl.uk




LIBER Quarterly, Volume 9 (1999), 327-328, No. 3