e editorial
NPO News & comment
NPO Journal I am pleased to introduce the National Preservation
Subscriptions: Office's national preservation strategy consultation UK£25 Overseas £30 (surface mail) document: A national preservation strategy for or £34 (airmail) library and archive collections in the United Subscription address: Kingdom and Ireland: principles and prospects, Turpin Distribution Services Ltd launched at the British Council seminar 'Libraries, Blackhorse Road Letchworth Museums and Archives' on 29 january 2001 . Hertfordshire SG6 1 HN Tel: 01462 672555 The development of a national preservation strategy for both traditional and d igital Fax : 01462 480947 collections is the overarching objective forthe NPO to achieve its primary aim: to provide an independent focus for ensuring the preservation and continued Publisher, editorial office: accessibility ofl ibrary and archive materials held in the United Kingdom and Ireland. National Preservation Office During the past two years the NPO has developed a range of tools designed to The British Library underpin the strategy. In order to identify and locate the written and documentary 96 Euston Road heritage, the Office has developed and tested a web based database of collection London NW1 2DB strengths, retention intentions an d preservation status. Tel: 020 7412 7612 The NPO, together with the Public Record Office, has developed a standard survey Fax: 020 7412 7796 methodology to assess the preservation needs of both library and archive collections. The NPO has developed a database and guidance to enable institutions to carry out E-mail: npo@b l.uk the survey. The information gathered will enable both the institution and the NPO to develop programmes for sharing preservation responsibi I ities. National Preservation Underpinning the successful implementation of the national preservation strategy Office is the need for personnel at all levels to have access to appropriate education and supported by training. The NPO is working with I ibrary, archive and conservation professionals The British Library to develop preservation management curricula, and through regular seminars with The Public Record Office institutions, organisations, and profess ional bodies to continue its longstanding The National Library of commitment to disseminate ' best practice' in collections care for both traditional and Scotland digital media. Trinity College Library Dublin Funding Agencies are key to ensuring that scarce resources are applied according to accepted 'best practice'. The NPO will publish guidanceforfunding bodies w hich The Consortium of University receive applications from individuals and institutions for preservation management Research Libraries and conservation programmes. Cambridge University Library The NPO Management Committee commends this document to you. If you require The National Library of Wales any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me on 020 74 12 7612. The Bodleian Library, Oxford University
Cover Photograph: Michael Banks
The view s expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the Ed itor, the NPO or DIRECTOR, NATIONAL PRESERVATIO N OFFICE The British Library.
I the NPO Journal ------.
e digital preservation coalition
Towards a Digital Preservation Coalition in the UK
By NeiiBeagrie,Assistant Director (Preservation), joint Information Systems Committee UJSC)/Distributed National Electronic Resource (DNER)
This article provides the background to decision makers and funders in terms commitment to the principles of the Digital Preservation Summit (January that they wi II understand and fi nd openness and dissemination in the 2001 ), held to discuss the establishment persuasive. Projects and initiatives draft manifesto; of a D igital Preservation Coalition in the are proliferating, and institutions 2. Core coalition activities of common UK. It was hosted by the British Library saw significant value in developing interest and benefit to al l members and the Joint Information Systems an umbrell a organisation to help supported by resources from its Committee (J ISC), and faci litated by JI SC coordinate and monitor on their membership; Digital Preservation Focus an d the N PO . behalf. Despite sectoral differences, 3. Collaborative projects and Electronic resources form an mo st ofthe technical and some programmes taken forward w ith increasingly large part of our cultural organisational issues remain the project fu nding drawn from a variety and intellectual heritage. In addition to same for all organisations. Efforts by of sources; electronic publications, the web, and individual institutions and sectors 4. The creation and further e-commerce, there is an array of new can be coordinated to achieve development of a national digital UK initiatives and legislation, from w ider national benefits. The Digital archiving infrastructure in the UK. Modernising Covernmentto the Preservation Coa lition could also tap Freedom ofInformation Act, which is additional skills and funding and help Suggested core activities and putting an onus on public organisations contribute to the development of first programmes included: to provide access to their information, to national strategies, infrastru cture • awareness-raising among key funders manage it and to archive it in electronic and skills in digital preservation. and stakeholders; form. In the research arena, there In 2000 JI SC established a post w ithin • development of a digital preservation are also sign ificant developments the Distributed National Electronic portal incorporating the Preservation particularly in the sciences towards Resource (DNER), to provide a focal Management of Digital Materials very large primary research data sets. point for digital preservation activit ies Workbook, in collaboration w ith Electronic resources, whether created w ithin the higher and further education international partners; (see pp. 14/15) initially through digitisation or 'born' communities, and to help establish and • establish ing a dialogue with software digital, are threatened by technological support the Coalition. A lthough the and hardware manufacturers; obsolescence and physical deterioration. exact remit, shape and programme • developing standards to support O ur ability to preserve access to these for the Coalition w ill be resolved in digital preservation; resources into the future depends on the consultation w ith proposed members, a • train ing in the skills and collaboration and engagement of a wide draft outline and its remit was discussed competencies needed for digital range of stakeholders. at the Summit. preservation; National and local institutions and • applied practical research and services need to develop the capacity, Outcomes from the Summit development in member institutions ski lis and expertise to manage digital Participants representing national, and shari ng experience; intellectual and cultural assets for university and public libraries, archives, • archiving of commercial e-journals; the long term, and insti tutions have data archiving services, pub I ishe rs, • web archiving. recognised the value of collaboration research councils and government JISC and the BL agreed to continue in addressing these issues. The bodies unanimously endorsed the discussions w ith potential Coalition establishment of a Digital Preservation need for coordinated work on partners and to coordinate its Coalition to do this was the principal digita l preservation and for the establishment. recommendation of the Warwick II establishment of a Coal ition. The digital preservation workshop (1999), aim ofthe Coalition w ill be to develop For further information see: which had representation from a w ide aUK digital preservation agenda in www.jisc.ac.uk/dne r/preservation/ range of sectors and institutions. an international context. dpcintro.htm. Enquiries contact: A coalition was sought because It was seen as operat ing on four levels: Ne il Beagrie, [email protected], attendees recognised that they needed 1. Activities undertaken individually or JI SC office, King's College London, a collaborative effort to get digital by members, but accomplished Strand Bridge House, 138 - 142 Strand, preservation on the agenda of key and coordinated in line with their Lo ndo n WC2 1 HH. ~
the NPO Journal I inter national collaboration e
A Preservation Office for Argentina
By Susan Meden, Vice President/Directora de Programas, Fundaci6n Patrimonio Hist6rico
A Preservation Office for Argentina (OAP) has been established, with the help of the National Preservation Office for the UK and Ireland (N PO) and the British Library (BL) . The Office will be supported by the Fundaci6n Patrimonio Hist6rico and run in partnership with the main libraries and archives in Argentina. Institutions and private collectors nationwide wi II also benefit from the initiative.
The Patrimonio Hist6rico is a foundation Between 1998 and 2000 the to learn about the UK NPO and devoted to the preservation of the Fundaci6n invited both independent preservation within the British Library, cultural heritage in Argentina. This UK experts and experts from th e which resulted in lengthy discussions has been achieved through education British Library to lecture and teach on the establishment of an OAP. and information activities, both for on ethical and technical issues in An audience of over 300 delegates the public and the profess ionals book conservation. They taught in including librarians, archivists, working in preservation. Since 1993, institutions throughout Argentina, museologists, historians and the Fundaci6n has been organising Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. conservators from all over South a programme ca lled CenAPa (Paper In October 2000 the Fundaci6n America attended the conference Conservation Centre for Argentina) organised a three day national the second of the two events. Papers to preserve documents, art on paper, meeting on preventive conservation were presented by preservation and books in archives, museums and (Conservaci6n Preventiva de Patrimonio professionals and conservators from libraries throughout Argentina. In 1997 Bibliografico y Documental) (26th- Cuba, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, and CenAPa was declared of National 28th O ctober 2000) followed Brazil, as well as from international interest through a government by their biennial conference, '4th bodies such as ICCROM (I nternational resolution. The Programme's aims National Conference on Preventive Centre for the study of the Preservation are being achieved through lectures, Conservation in Libraries, Archives and Restoration of Cultura l Property) sem inars, courses on preventive and Museums' (IV Encuentro Nacional and national bodies including th e conservation, courses in bookbinding Conservaci6n Preventiva en Bibliotecas, NPO and the BL. and book conservation (Education Archivos, Museos) (3 0th October- 1st The three guest speakers from the Programme for Bookbinders (PFE) November 2000), held in Rosario, UK spoke about their organisations and a national biennial conference on Argentina. The guest speakers from the (the BLand NPO) and the particular preventive conservation or 'Encuentro UK for the three day meeting and the role their position plays in the overall Nacional' (National M eeting). CenAPa first day of the conference were Belinda preservation of the collections in their is also respons ible for the 'Revista Sanderson (N PO), Caroline Checkley own insti tution and in th e nation's de Conservaci6n del Papel' (Paper Scott (BL) and Deborah Novotny (BL). institutions. Deborah Novotny, w ho Conservation Magazine) published in Twenty representatives from university, concentrated primarily on conservation partnership w ith the Argentine Library national and regional libraries and planning. Th is included how to manage of Congr~ss. archives were invited to the meeting the preservation budget and how to
the NPO Journal e international collaboration
Our experience in Argentina
select and prepare material for designated regional representatives conservation. She gave an approach for the office. The legal framework to By Caroline Checkley-Scott, Deborah to condition surveying and discussed enable them to take responsibility on Novotny and Belinda Sanderson specific topics such as monitoring the the different geographical areas has environment, security and storage already been provided. 'Without preservation there is no access'. conditions, book handling and care, The first service the OAPwill provide This became our slogan whilst at the training and awareness programmes, is a month lye-newsletter which will Fundaci6n Patrimonio H ist6rico in salvage preparedness, microfilm ing be launched in May 2001. This will Argentina and for many people this w as and surrogacy. be administered by the Patrimonio a new concept. Preserving collections for Ca roline Checkley-Scott spoke Hist6ri co, with the collaboration future generations, and in some serious specifically about the conservation of the regional representatives. It cases the very nearfuture, was something of books at the BL. She discussed w ill be sent to all the email addresses we tried to put across in an informative decision making in conservation on our mailing lists. The newsletter and enjoyable way. and emphasised the difference w ill be aimed at all professionals Our audience was very mixed ranging between minimum intervention and connected with archives and libraries, from D irectors w ho held the purse strings fu ll conservation. She illustrated her and will inform readers about courses, to I ibrarians and practical conservators to presentation with examples of the w ork publications, news and projects preservation officers. carried out in the studios, from si mple in Argentina within the field of U nder the umbrella of preservation, we rehousing, through to the many hours preservation. It is hoped that it will covered areas such as condition surveys, of skilled work required on rare and be possible to translate materi al selection and preparation of material for valuable collection items. published by the UK NPO. preservation, microfilming and surrogacy Belinda Sanderson lectured about Secondly, the OAPwill be programmes, interventive and passive the NPO, outlining its origins and the organising a 'Project for archives conservation techniques and ethics, sa lvage role it plays in preservation awareness and libraries in the municipal context' . planning, environmental monitoring and and policy making on a national basis. The municipal libraries and archives storage as well as preservation management, She discussed the funding partnerships, throughout Argentina are rich in awareness rais ing information and advisory its function and terms of reference, histori ca l documents and books, services, and policy and strategy matters. projects and research, its collaboration which are of prime importance in the O ne thing which became very clear w as with institutions and profess ional development of the country. However, the total commitment and enthusiasm of bodies, and its information and most of them are not preserved and those participating on our courses, despite enquiry service. cared for as they should be. In April a lack of resources. As a result of our visit After three exciting working days 2001, the Patrimonio Hist6rico, we showed how it was not necessary at the firs t event, the participants were together w ith the cooperation of the to work alone and how much could be optimistic and enthusiastic to preserve National Secretary for Culture, will start achieved through collaboration and their cultural heritage fo r the fu ture. a programme of seminars, courses and shared knowledge and resources . This It was unanimously agreed to create lectures devoted to Municipal H eritage resulted in an agreement to set up their a Preservation Office for Argentina Preservation. It will address three own Preservation Office for Argentina to (OAP), inspired by the UK and Ireland levels: decision makers in municipal co-ordinate and maximise efficiency for model. government and in institutions; al l preservation activities. We were fortunate in that the professionals involved in preservation; Access to I ibrary and archive collections groundwork had already been laid and the public. The seminars, lectures was obviously a key priority and concern. through the cooperation with the an d courses will cover conservation However, we explained thatthereareother British Library during the previous three and use; preservation planning and options to seeing and touching the original. years. W ith the ass istance of the N PO management; and digitisa tion. The If the National H eritage is to be preserved and the BL, the Fundaci6n Patrimonio institutions representing OAP will and available for future generati ons, the Hist6rico and the partner institutions in be the su pporting network for the focus must be to act now and consider Argentina were now ready to make sure programme development, providing a lithe different options within a limited th at its establishment and maintenance useful connections and reference in resource and take the best route forward. will be a success. their areas and regions. We (Caroline, Belinda and Deborah) The Preservation Office for In the forthcoming months there is would like to thank the Fu ndaci6n Argentina will be established with much work to be done. We are very Patrimonio H ist6rico for the opportunity a cooperative nationwide network gratefu I to the British I ibrary and the to share our experience and knowledge structure, to serve libraries, archives, NPO for their contribution and look and for their very kind hospitality. We museums and private collectors. forward to the OAP with confidence wish them continued success in their Seven partner institutions have been and excitement. objectives and aspirations.
the NPO Journal NPO annual conference e cover st ory
NPO Annual Conference:
Caring for Collections ByM"''mv,,end• The NPO's annual conference 'Caring for Collections' was held at the British Library on 21 November 2000. This year's conference launched the NPO Preservation Assessment Survey for libraries and archives, introduced research to develop benchmarks for a new survey which assesses and he Ips levels of collection care in I ibraries, and iII ustrated related issues in the museums domain. It was chaired by Bill Simpson, the Chair of the NPO Management Committee.
The Keynote speaker, Helen Shenton potential preservation needs of future collaborative preservation projects both (Deputy Director, Preservation, collections, taking into account possible with other similar institutions and across Collections Management, British technological developments. She stated sectors and domains. Library), emphasised the importance that it was important to ensure that, Nancy Bell (Senior Conservator, Oxford of knowing the needs of a collection in once the collection's needs were known, Conservation Consortium), continued order to make the best use of resources action be taken to provide the care the theme of using an assessment method available for preservation. She described needed. This could be done through to improve the care of collections by the ways in which the British Library is introducing new skills to staff, as well introducing Benchmarks in Collections developing performance indicators to as developing more trad itional ski lls, by Care for Libraries, a self-assessment determine the current state of the ensuring that funds were ava ilable for checklist, developed along with Helen collections, and researching the collection care, and by entering into Lindsay. The benchmark scheme provides - the NPO journal cover story e NPO annual conference
clear and unambiguous guidelines which management of collections in libraries specialist collections, and how data enable preservation staff in libraries to and archives. The speakers were keen to gathered from previous surveys could measure the current level of collection emphasise that the differences between be incorporated into results produced care. The scheme, unlike many other the models were minimal, and that the by the new methodology. The panel methods of assessing levels of care, survey will allow for the comparison of was able to assure those surprised at can be used across time to monitor different types of institution. the small sample required in the achievements, and develop means The audience was given a preservation needs assessment (only of improving these levels. demonstration of the database in which four hundred items) that the use of this Jane Robinson, (Conservation and the data collected in each library or sample had proved statistica lly sound Collections Care Manager, Scottish archive would be entered, stored and on each occasion it had been tried, Museums Council (SMC)), illustrated assessed. The model uses Microsoft in the Netherlands as well as in the the way in which Government policy Access, which is available to most UK, regardless of the size of collection. can affect issues of collection care by institutions and is simple to use. The Delegates also wanted to know whether describing how political changes in database not only enables the librarian there would be deadlines for the Scotland have influenced the SMC's or archivist to identify priority areas for completion of the preservation needs work. Increased emphasis on public preservation, but can also be used to assessment, bearing in mind the access has meant that custodians of calculate the possible resu lts, in terms pressures some institutions were under. collections have had to move away of preservation, of potential changes to The panel recognised that it could take from remedial conservation work and the collection. What preservation needs a long time to build up the national develop proactive preservation strategies. would arise, for example, if a closed picture, but emphasised the benefits The view from museums highlighted a access collection was put on open of completing the survey to libraries or theme which was returned to throughout access? The NPO will be holding archives seeking funds for preservation the day - that the similarities across the workshops to help libraries and archives programmes or for collection care. domains in the field of collection care use the methodology, and will be While the conference covered a w ide are more important than the differences available to provide support throughout range of issues, two themes recurred time between them. the process. Any institution interested and again during the day. The first of Helen Forde and Steven Jones (PRO), in carrying out the assessment shou ld these was the increasingly important role and Alison Walker and Julia Foster (NPO), contact the NPO at [email protected]. surveys such as those introduced at the launched the new preservation assessment The last speaker of the day was conference play in the process of seeking methodology for libraries and archives. Neville Mackay (Chief Executive, funding. The Heritage Lottery Fund, for This is a methodology which has been Re:source: The Council for Museums, example, will be urged to encourage developed to map the preservation Archives and Libraries). Re:source, applicants to undertake the preservation needs of individual library and archive he reported, had been established to needs assessment outlined at the collections, and to generate a national encourage change, and would be conference. A high level of participation picture of the physical state of collections working to promote links across the throughout the country would also in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It museum, library and archive sectors, provide momentum and assist those is quick to carry out (the audience were which have 'substantive common lobbying for funding for collaborative surprised to hear that the Dutch took three agendas', as well as to develop the preservation projects. days to survey their entire national archive concept of a 'distributed national The second theme w hich was using a similar methodology), and, by collection', of which all these institutions emphasised in much of the discussion means of statistical sampling, can be formed a part. Within this national was that of the importance of libraries, applied to any size of collection, as well collection, Re:source would work to archives and museums working as individual parts of larger collections. ensure that public investment was made together on caring for their collections. The data gathered will serve to inform on the basis of need rather than by Government policy, as explained by individual libraries and archives of their following historical precedent. Re:source Neville M ackay of Re:source, strongly collections' needs, and will collectively would also encourage an environment encourages working together. The form a database which will lay the basis in which access was the key goal. benefits of collaboration are clearly seen for developing a national strategy for Access, however, should not deny in projects such as the preservation preservation. In addition, it w ill provide tomorrow's users the opportunities needs assessment. Museums, libraries guidelines for the direction of funds to which are available today. Re:source and archives can learn from one another's different areas of need. The NPO will will therefore be addressing preservation experiences of collection care, and can provide training and support to all libraries and conservation issues in the libraries, also form a powerful lobbying group as and archives undertaking such a survey. archives and museums, and will set out a united body of professionals. The same basic procedure will be a strategic direction for the stewardship 'Caring for Collections' introduced used for both libraries and archives, and of collections across these domains. new practical measures which can be the results will enable comparison across Throughout the day, the audience was used to improve the levels of collection sectoral boundaries. However, some keen to hear more about the practical care in libraries and archives, and adaptations were made to the original application of the new tools introduced also presented a coherent picture model for libraries in order to make at the conference. Delegates wanted to of the profession's strategic direction it suitable also for usc in archives, know about quality control of data, how at the beginning of the twenty-first Iilii in recognition of differences in the the methodologies could be applied to century. ~ the NPO Journal - research e
Raman Spectroscopy: Drawing together history, art and science
By David jacobs, Senior Conservation Officer, British Library and Michelle Brown, Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts, British Library
Much of our cultural heritage has been yet to be revealed. Recent developments requested that conservators develop the preserved in illuminated manuscripts and in Raman microscopy mean that the in-situ project, to cover other areas of the incunabula (early printed books). The analysis of pigments, inks, binders and collections where they had observed identification, analysis and interpretation corrosion products is now possible, degradation of pigments or wished to of materials used in the manufacture of combining the required attributes of being extend their knowledge of ink and such artefacts can give us an insight into non-destructive, and highly sensitive. pigment manufacture, origin, chemistry the development and spread of artistic The British Library conservation and application. Currently, a Raman styles, chemical technologies, social department first became aware of Raman analysis of the inks and pigments used in changes and even the advances in global microscopy in 1992 when it was used for Anglo Saxon manuscripts is taking place commerce and trade. The study of the project 'Mass Spectrometry on Ancient using the new generation Raman pigments and inks is a subject at the Paper and the Analysis of Ancient Dyed microscope. A database of the resu lts interface of art and science, and which Chinese Paper' (Queens University, Belfast from the pigment project w ill be created. attracts the interest of librarians and and the British Library Conservation Dept). From a curatorial perspective, the archivists, historians, conservators, In 1997, at the request of the BL, Raman project is of tremendous va lue in assisting research and museum scientists, to microscopy was used to ana lyse a 13th in the delicate ba lancing act of ensuring name but a few. Century Byzantine/Syriac Lectionary. due care for the long term preservation of Raman spectroscopy is an analytical The manuscript had developed a rare and often fragile materials and the technique, first discovered in 1924, which dramatic unexplained blackening of desire for wider public access through identifies the substance in question by the white pigment used on nearly all exhibition, publication and digitisation. its spectrum. Each grain of pigment, ink of its 60 illuminations. The benefits of the research for science or binder has an individual Raman Previous to this Raman microscopy and humanities alike are significant. spectrum that is generated when a had been used to study pigments of the The programme of research wi II be sample is irradiated with a laser via an artist's palette for art historical research. framed to ask and answer questions of optical microscope or a remote probe. This analysis of a specific conservation broader cultural, economic and scientific Comparison with known samples problem showed how such a sensitive interest. Where were new ideas or enables a 'fingerprinting' identification analytical tool could be used in practical materials shared by different societies? Do of the pigment to be made. conservation. A Raman spectroscopic the famous Lindisfarne Gospels, made in Most techniques currently used to library of over 60 natural and synthetic North East England some 1300 years ago, identify pigments and inks are either pigments (pre-1 850) has now been actual ly contain lapis lazuli and did th is intrinsically destructive or cannot be used compiled and can be downloaded from come from the Himalayan region?What in-situ. Such techniques cannot be used www.ucl.ac.uk/chem/resources/ impact did the growth in urban econom ies to identify media found on manuscripts Raman/speclib.html, and will assist the and experimental science have on later and incunabula. Consequently, many future identification of pigments. medieval trade and communications? The significant works have not been Following the publication of the results project is a noteworthy example ofthe characterised and a great deal of of the study of the Byzanti ne/Syriac benefits of expert collaboration across technological and sociological detail has Lectionary, curators at the British Library the library and university sectors. a - the NPO Journal e conservation
Mass Deacidification in Practice A report of the conference held in Buckeburg, Germany, 18-19 October 2000. by Shad Mehmel~ Training and Developmenl O((icel; Conservation Dept~ British Library
This conference was superbly organised by the type of material that each process could the European Commission on Preservation safely treat was limited. and Access (ECPA) and the State Archive Dr. Helga Unger (Bavarian Stale Library), of Lower Saxony, and was suppo1ted by summed up how mass deacidification the BUckeburg company, Neschen Ltd is used as part of their preservation and the Federa l Government Commissioner management strategy. The collection was for Cultural Affairs and the Media. One identified according to condition. One third hundred and eighty three delegates as 'good-condition-non-acidic', one third as attended from 30 countries worldwide. 'acidic-yellow -not-brittle' and the final third The aim of the conference was to present as brittle. A decision was made to microfilm examples of how mass deacidification the brittle third, mass deacidify the 'acidic could be applied in practice, the role but-not-brittle' third and the remainder was of mass deacidification in preservation left untouched. She explained that mass management and its role in the formation deacidification was considered important of a preservation policy. Also discussed since stock must be preserved in a physical were the choice of process, the selection format. of materials for mass deacidification, The two institutions from Switzerland, work flows, logistics, costs and other Swiss National Library and Swiss Federal organisational issues. Archives use the Battelle system, known commitment to resources was made and Representatives from European and as 'Paper Save Swiss', and employ state-of a definite programme setout for a number American I ibraries and archives came the-art equipment and facilities. They are of years. Overall, in practice, each process together to share their experiences of one currently treating 40 tonnes of paper per behaves and performs in a specific way. or several of the processes . They included yea1~ in 60 batches, at a cost of £276,240. Preparation and post treatment processes Akademie der Bildenden Klinste (Stuttgart), At this level, it will take 30 years to treat must be carefully organised to take into Swiss National Library, Kautz Family current holdings. Using the same facilities, account specific behaviours and limitations YMCA Archives, (University of Minnesota), an expanded production would be able of the system used. Proper selection of Bundesarchiv, Niedersachsisches to treat the current stocks within 1 0 years. suitable materials is vital to avoid the Staatsarchiv 130ckeburg, Sachsisches The Swiss embarked on the use of side effects inherent in each mass Staatsarch iv/Sachsisches Staatsm in isteri um mass deacidification after careful cost deacidification technique. Equally, post des lnnern, Swiss Federal Archives, comparisons with other preservation treatment quality control is also required. National Library of the Netherlands, methods. For example, costs comparisons This conference proved that· mass State Archives of the Netherlands, and per item over 25 years are as follows: deacidification can be successfully used 13ayerische Staatsbibliothek. storage only £4; storage and mass as part of a preservation management Repo1ts from institutions currently using deacidification £14; paper copy and strategy. It fulfilled its aim of giving first the different mass deacidification processes storage £4 7; m icrofiI m i ng £3 6; and hand experience and information on the were candid in describing the various digitisation £1 30. practicalities of the different processes. problems encountered. Specific side Each institution described in detail how In addition, it emphasised that the word effects were noted according to the type they had chosen the process they were 'mass' should not be taken in a literal sense of treatment and object. It was evident that using and the workings of the process. and gave a clear picture of the virtues and This highlighted the common approaches I imitations of each system. between the processes. After careful costing and comparisons, mass deacidification A report on the feasibility of establishing a was accepted as a legitimate weapon in mass deacidification facility to serve the the arsenal of preservation management. UK and Irela nd, was funded by the British Surveys were used to identify those parts Library Cooperation and Pa rtnership of the collections which would be the Programme, the project re port 'The Enemy most suitable for treatment to optimise Within: Acid Deterioration of our Written life expectancy increases, and to ensure Heritage', by Jonathan Rhys-lewis is objects were suitable for the type of mass ava ilable at www.bl.uk/concord/ deacidification process selected. Clear proj99report1.html tfl
the NPO Journal conference report e
Digital Preservation: the way forward Information infrastructures for digital preservation: A one day workshop, 6 December 2000, and Preservation 2000: An intern ational conference on the Preservation and Long Term Accessibility of Digital M ateri als, 7-8 December 2000.
By Lyn Stagg, Register of Preservation Microforms, British Library
This one clay workshop and two day Brian Lavoie (OCLC), expanded Engine) Project; and finally Margaret conference was organised by the UK this topic in detail, pointing out the Byrnes outlined the Categorisation of Office for Library and Information convergence so far in a variety of arenas, Commitmenttofull digital preservation Networking (UKOLN), and sponsored by based on the Open Archival Information as developed by the Working Group on the CEDARS Projects Uoint Information Systems (OAIS) reference model. Stephen Permanence of the National Library of Systems Committee UISC) funded), OCLC Chapman (Harvard University), Kelly Medicine's electron ic information. ancllhe Research Libraries Group (RLG). Russell (CEDARS project), Colin Webb The two day conference provided a Over 150 participants from the UK, (Nationa l Library of Austra lia) and kaleidoscope of images and experience. Europe, Australia, United States and Catherine Lupovici (NEDLIB Project) Lynne Brindley's keynote speech presented Canada gathered for three days of formed an international reaction panel a framework for the future. As well as stimulating and wide-ranging discussion. to take the discussion forward. The broad setting up a National Digital Preservation The Workshop highlighted a range agreement, both of the panel and the Coalition for the UK and Ireland, (the of issues concerning the provision of audience, was that the OAIS model successor body to the NPO's Digital the information infrastructure for the long would form the su itable building block for Archiving Working Group (DAWG) term preservation of digital materials. The frameworks, mainly because of its wide (seep. 3), she outli ned the most pressing out Ii ne for the clay was provided by Robin applicability across institutions and types. areas where work was to be done. Dale (RLG), who summarised the steps The subsequent papers covered the A coordinated effort must be made to taken since the 1996 Task Force on Digital capture and use of metadata for long term ensure that digital preservation is on the Archiving's Final Report, and stressed digital preservation.lnka Tappenbeck agenda of key decision makers; significant the work of the OCLC/RLG joint Planning (Slate and University Library of Lower websites must be archived as a global Committee on Digital Metadata. This Saxony, Gottingen), presented the record of digital inheritance; a national 'White Paper' will form the cornerstone CARMEN (Content Analysis, Retrieval digital preservation strategy must be for describing preservation metadata for and Metadata: Effective Networking) developed; links must be made w ith digital objects, from which consensus project; Oya Reiger (Cornell University), i nlernational stakeholder groupings, throughout the digital preservation Project Prism (Preservation, Reliability, and a commitment to international and world can be bui lt. A draft for discussion lnteroperability, Security and Metadata); collaborative open partnerships must be is available on www.oclc.org/digital Gunter Muhlberger (University of combined with a willingness to share preservation/presmeta_wp. pdf. lnnsbruck), the METAe (Metadata information and to take concerted action
,,, the NPO Journal e conference report
in bidding forfunding to ensure an these has any print equ iva Ients. The main Tradition of Access to the United States 'enduring global memory'. principle is to save what can be saved now Government Information' George Barnum The following sessions covered several and edit later, as we do not know what w ill described the electronic distribution of topics. 'Models for Distributed Digital be important in the future. He also outlined government information to 1300 libraries Archives' dealt with the 'CEDARS Project the principles of the Digital Services Project across the USA, where participants expect Experience'. Kelly Russell outlined the and the Migration Strategy Group. current and future permanent access to key del iverables of a specification for The last clay began with the this materi al. digital preservation metadata, guidance 'Practicalities of Digital Preservation'. The final session 'Making Strides: for digital collection managers and a Maggie jones (Arts and Humanities Working Together' was opened by Robin demonstrator digital archive, where the Data Se1vice) presented 'A Workbook Dale (R LG), outlining 'International digital object is stored as a bitstream. For for the Preservation Management of Collaboration in Digital Preservation the LOCKSS (Lots Of Copies Keeps Stuff Digital Materials' (see pp. 14/15). These Metadata'. After touchi ng on the major Safe) Project, Vicky Reich emphasised guidelines will be kept up to date as events and players in digita l preservation, the importance of ensuring an enduring the source material grows, and w ill be she described the development of archive by making many copies ofthe developed further as a traini ng tool metad ata sets, both from the framework same item available, and where, if a and available on the web. Shelby Sa nett point of view (where CEDARS, the copy were to be w ithdrawn from one and Michele Cloonan, (University of National Library of Australia and NEDLI B institution's computer, it is possible to California, Los Angeles), outlined the were exemplars) to those describing check that sufficient copies remain for 'lnterPARES (International Research o levels of granularity, e.g. NISO and the long term persistent access to continue. n Permanent Authentic Records in Audio Engineering Society. After The project was undertaken jointly Electronic Systems) Project'. This project summarising the events of the workshop, between Stanford University Library has surveyed 14 different projects using a some important questions remain, and Sun Microsystems. questionnaire approach. One outcome namely 'how much metadata do we In 'Perspectives on Managing National will be cost model ling, which should need and how much will this cost'? Neil Digital Collections', Helen Shenton (British differ significantly from traditional Beagrie UJSC), looked at the 'jiSC Digital Library), gave an overview of the 'core preservation costs. Ellis Weinberger, Preservation Focus' . This ranges widely competencies' for a National Library that CEDARS Project (University of from work on electron ic publications, conservation, IT and curatorial staff will Cambridge), touched on some of the primary research data (AHDS), e-records, require, to meet the growing need for digital problems involved in 'Intellectual websites, to the digitising of learning expertise in the management of 'digital Property Rights for Digital Preservation', materials through the Distributed assets'. Lex Sijtsma was the next to speak including database copyright and drawing National Electronic Resource (DNER) on the 'NEDLIB Project', the networked up I icensing agreements before for the UK higher and further education European Deposit Library, which brings digitisation takes place. community. together pubI ishers, organisations and In the second session'Authentici ty and The closing address was given by libraries. The aim is to give practical advice Authentication for Digital Preservation', Reg Carr, (Director of University Library on how to build a digital deposit library, Nancy Brodie (National Library of Services, University of Oxford). jim including the long term preservation of Canada), stressed the steps that need to be Micha lko, (President, RLG), commended digital documents. They have produced a taken to ensure the authenticity of official the UK on establishing the National 'process model of a deposit system' based documents on line and the nature of Digital Preservation Coalition, meeting for on OAfS, a 'workflow model' and a series of version control. Access and preservation the first lime in january 2001 . He also sa id reports, i ncl ud i ng guide I i nes for depositing have different needs, as Kevin Ashley that a UK national preservation strategy electronic publications and standards for (University of London), explored in his needed to be evolved in an international electronic publishing. Colin Webb spoke intriguingly titled presentation 'I'm context. It was especially necessary to on the 'National Library of Australia Me and You're You, but is That That?'. ensure that internationa l cooperation Experience', outlining the work that has Authenticity here involves a chain of trust, occurred and that funding was sought on been clone on the PANDORA archive where technology proves identity but a large scale. (Preserving and Accessing Networked cannot give trust. Metaclata also needs to Further information on the Workshop Documenta1y Resources of Austra lia). It be protected to give the same authenticity and Con ference is available on the consists of around 1,000 titles, two thirds as analogue objects acquire. ln 'The RLG website at www.rlg.ac.uk/events/ of which have been captured once and the Federal Depository Library Program pres-2000 and at www.ariadne.ac.uk/ remaining third captured regularly. None of Electronic Collection: Preserving a issue26/metadata/ liJ
the NPO journa l II digital printing e
Preservation and Conservation Issues Related to Digital Printing
26-27 October 2000, Institute of Physics, London
By Philippa Sterlini, Paper Conservator, Library Conservation Unit University of Dundee
The conference was organised jointly Professor Poul Steen Larsen (Royal recommended papers themselves by the Institute of Physics and the School of Library and Information are tested for their 'archivabilily'. London Institute. The aims of the Science, Copenhagen) explained the Dr Anthony Smith presented Lhe meeting were to inform those ISO and ANSI standards for paper and findings of work carried out with Zoitsa responsible for the preservation of ink permanence. New standards for Gkinni at Camberwell College of Arts. digitally printed material about the inks were due for publication at the Accelerated 'dark ageing' tests were process and developments in this close of 2000. At this stage, he said, ink carried out on colour ink jet prints . growing technology, and to explore the and toner problems are not definitively They found that al l of th e papers in impact of digital print on preservation so lved and digita l prints are therefore the study yellowed significantly and conservation issues. In addition, not regarded as archival. during testing. H owever colour sh ifts it aimed to forge links between industry, The cl igital printing research and were not caused by the dyes, but by research and the preservation world. development scientists who spoke at the yellowing of the substrate. In a packed programme that ran over the conference are all working toward Conservation scientists at the two days, the speakers dealt w ith all this goal. However, this is in response CRCDG (Centre de Recherches these issues and raised more. to commerc ial pressures rather than sur Ia Conservation des Documents The speakers were of a high calibre issues of long term preservation and Graphiques, Paris) tested the light and in many cases are leaders in their archiving. They strive for stability to stabi I ity of colour digital prints. They field of research. There was a great deal light and other physical stresses close to found that the sensitivity of dyes altered of information given which included that of silver halide printing. H owever, when they were combined so that some very complex chemistry. A post factors influencing durability are not they became less sens itive. They also conference publication is planned as straightforward as we may at first found that the support could improve w hich will contain full papers. think. The type of paper can be more stability. Furthermore, a manufacturer's Proceedings opened with John influential than other factors, such as protective colloidal varnish was found Peacock's (Director, Macmillan I ight. The different coatings used for to improve the stability of the inks. Publishing) discussion of the rapid special media also have a significant Intermittent light was found to cause changes taking place in the world of influence on stability. Most of the greater fading than a constant I ight publishing. For the last two years, research discussed referred to ink jet source. Macmillan have held no stock for lower printing. Although there are other Richard Shearwood-Porter spoke of run publications which are no longer electrophotographic processes, ink jet the work carried out at St. Cuthbert's printed by lithography, but digitally, and seems likely to dominate the market. M ill developing a fine art ink jet paper as such are printed on demand. Initial Inkjet colour prints can be made more calleci'Somerset' . It is a 1OO'Yo cotton larger ru ns of publications are printed by durable with the inclusion of specific archival paper that was developed in lithography, and go 'on demand' when additives to dyes. However, colour collaboration w ith artists in the USA sales fall off. Subsequent copies bear stability is also dependant on the who are using IRIS printers. Between the date that the publication went 'on substrate. 1992 and 1998 the number of IRIS demand' but not the elate of printing. A lexander Schiller (FOGRA, printers being used by artists in t he Publishers' stock in the future will Graphic Technology Research US increased from 3 to 200. Andrew be digitally archived, which begs Association, Munich), advised when Robb, (Senior Photograph Conservator, the question; w ill we need book using electrophotographic printing to Library of Congress) has done research conservators or digital archeologists to ask the manufacturers which papers into the effect of relative humidity (RH) preserve and maintain future collections? they recommend, and it would seem on ink j et prints. H inging and mending, Whilst Macmillan attempt to copy that the same is true of ink jet also. and re laxing and flatten ing such prints 'I itho' books as closely as possible D igital print will interact with paper can be difficult due to the adverse they do not know at present the relative and the degree of integration of effects of moisture. The magenta dye physical durability of such publications paper to print w ill affect permanence. used in the printing is a very small in comparison with lithography. However, th is does not mean that the molecule, w hich is very soluble. - the NPO Journal e training
Pixellated in Glasgow By Antony Gordon, National Sound Archive, British Library
Robb found that at exposure to RH HATII, University of GIJsgow levels above 65%, there were perceptible shifts in the magenta colour. It was observed that at 80'1o Su nday the 2nd of july 2000 found taking. The full set of documentation RH the magenta had shifted again, me on the long rai l trip from London for the course comprises around resulting in a print w ith warmer tone, to G lasgow - tra ins were running 1,000 pages. and at95% RH a bluecastwasseen normally then - for a summer school Sem inars gave small groups of as the magenta had been completely on digitisation run by HATII (The around five persons an opportunity to lost. Test samples were clearly Humanities Advanced Technology and explore a particular pre-assigned issue. affected after short exposures. Robb Information Institute) at the University Each day a different member of the recommended storage conditions of of Glasgow. It started gently on the group was required to prepare a short 45% RH at 21 °C with packaging to Sunday evening with an introduction presentation for the seminar and then protect aga inst flood or HVAC fai lure. and reception, otherwise the course to lead the discussion for the group. Conservation treatments are was intensive. Each day comprised The practical sessions enabled us dependent on the identification of a mixture of lectures, tutorials and to explore some of the issues at first the process involved, an area that practical workshop sessions. The hand by scanning and processing is increasingly difficult in digita l Monday afternoon session in the selected text and images, and printing. In response to this Marti n Special Co llections area of the examining websites where sets of Juergens, (MAC, Master of Art University Library, allowed participants images are already available. Though Conservation, student at Queen's to inspect and handle a number of well organised, the sess ions did suffer University, Ontario), has created an manuscripts and printed books of from a small number of infrastructure identification guide web site. The various ages. Th is was an excellent problems. However, despite these guide sorts printing processes and way for those of us unused to hand I ing problems, it was a considerable materials into generic groups and such materials to appreciate both the benefit for the participants each to identification is clone by visual non conservation and digitisation issues have si multaneous and exclusive destructive examination . You can find involved. use of a PC, w ith a scanner shared the web site at http://aic.stanford.edu/ The course covered all aspects of between each pair. conspec/emg/juergens/. The image digitisation including: types of Representation from the British information will be constantly equipment, compression software, Library was strong, contributing nine updated. Juergens urged conservators issues of image quality versus file out of the 26 participants. Most to ask questions about the digital size, measures of qual ity, metadata, attendees stayed in the universit y prints that they deal with, such as conservation implications, and residences close to the lecture and the name of the printer or workshop organisation of digitisation projects . seminar rooms. The residential and the name of the paper, while th is The concentration on images was element was important in allowing information is sti II known. This data probably less relevant for myself, opportunities for meeting, learning can then be included in guides such coming from the National Sound from, and forming potentially useful as the web si te. It is hoped that in the Arch ive, but there are certainly contacts with participants from many future, the records kept by research sufficient issues in common for other parts of the world. and development scientists w i II considerable benefit to have been become availab le and can be made gained. The date of the next HATil Summer available in the same way. Each lecture (most of them given by School is: 15-20 July 2001. Seamus Ross, Director of HATII ) was in Further information is available on: For other issues raised at the the form of a Powerpoint presentation. www.hatii .arts.gla.ac.uk/DigiSS01 I Conference see the report by Rosie A fu ll set of notes for each of the slides and contact Ann Law: Freemantle, Paper Conservation w as issued to each participant, which Email: [email protected] .gla.ac.uk ra. News, p.8, No 97, March 2001 . greatly eased the process of note Tei:01413305512 Gil
the N PO journal f' training e
Digital Preservation Management: A workbook for training By Maggie }ones, Project Manager, AHDS Executive
Digital preservation has been given gradually increas ing prominence and priority si nce 1996, w hen a speciall y commissioned US Taskforce on Digital Arch iving1 published the final report of its work. The impact of the work of the Taskforce has been felt world-wide and in the UK, it was a key influence in a workshop sponsored by the Joint
2 Information Systems Committee (JISC) and the British Libra ry • A series of research reports commissioned by JI SC and the National Preservation Office (NPO) highlighted various
1 aspects of digital preservation . The reports provided a broad overview of the issues and
5 two in particular (Beagrie and Greenstein" and Hendley ) recommended that fu rther research be undertaken to explore the issues they raised in more detail.
The JISC/NPO studies and a second • That the rapid proI iferation of d igital preferably when they are created. If workshop in digital preservation resource creation, combined with this does not take place, many of those organ ised by the JISC and the British increasing rei iance on digital resources will inevi tably be lost and/or Library in 1999 at Warwick, identified access, requ ires a concerted and become prohibitively costly to recover, the need to improve guidance on digital increasingly urgent effort to ensure before responsibility for long term preservation . At about the same time, that the in itial investment is preservation has even been agreed to a survey commissioned by RLG " safeguarded and that significant in principle, much less estab lished in investigated the needs of member digital materials being created practice. institutions. In addition, Government will remain accessible for as long In 1999 the Arts and Humanities led initiatives such as the People's as they are needed. Data Service (AHDS) submitted Network have res ulted in substantial W hether crea ted as a resu It of a proposal to the Library and funding to provide digital content digitising non-digital collections, Information Commission (which via the New Opportunities Fund created as a digital publication, or later became Re:source) as part of (NOF) digitisation programme'. The created as part of the day-to-day their Preservation of and Access to e-government strategy provides further busi ness of an organisation, it is cru cial the Recorded Heritage Research evidence of the determination to ful ly that at least a se lection of those digital Programme. The proposal aimed to exploit the benefits of tech nology for materials remains accessible for the build on work which has already taken 8 more efficient and effective services • future. The best mea ns of ensuring place in identifying the broad issues All of these activities suggested a continued access to high quality digital and challenges associated with digital number of things: resources is in fostering an approach to preservation, and to provide more • That despite considerable progress the creation and acquisition of digital detai led guidance to all those creating in digital preservation, there is sti ll a resources which will greatly improve and/or acquiri ng digital resources. need to raise awareness and provide the prospects for continued survival It was decided that a workbook would guidance; once a national strategy has been be the most appropriate mechan ism • That this guidance needs to be developed and agreed. Because the to provide the ra nge of advice and geared to severa l different levels time during which action must be guidance required for such a diverse within an organisation, taking taken is so much shorter for digital audience. Through structured account of varying levels of materials than for traditional library interviews with se lected spec ial ists, awareness and expertise even materials, steps to manage them workshops and conference presentations, within the sa me institution; need to be taken as early as possible, and case studies, it was possible to - the NPO Journal e training
assess the overall level of awareness to tailor the workbook to the needs References and understanding of digital preservation. of individual institutions, including This information influenced the those where digital preservation may 1. Task Force on Archiving of Digital Information, development of the workbook. be outsourced and those where digital Garret, John and Waters, Donald (chairs). In general, the study found that preservation may only be short term, Preserving Digital Information: Report of the the level of awareness of and interest means that the workbook needs to be Task Force on Archiving of Digital Information. in digital preservation is gradually seen as acting as a catalyst for further Commission on Preservation and Access increasing, but is not keeping pace concerted action within and between and the Research Libraries Group. with the level of digital resource institutions. The workbook has 20May1996. creation. In particular, institutions that been available in PDF format si nce http//www.rlg.ac.uk/ArchTF/ have not played a role in preserving October as a pre-publication draft at: traditional collections do not have http ://j isc.ac. u k/d ner/preservation/ 2. Long Term Preservation of Electronic Materials. a strong sense of playing a role in workbook/. The British Library w ill A Report of a Workshop O rganised by preservi ng digital resources. Individual publ is h a hard copy vers ion, on behalf JISC/British Library, held at the University researchers were keen to 'do the right of Re:source, in June 2001, intended of Warwick on 27-28 November 1995. thing' but frequently lacked the clear to provide a convenient source of British Library R & D Report 6238. guidance and institutional backing to reference. A web version of the http//www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/papers/ enable them to fee l confident of what workbook will be developed with bl/rdr623B/ they should be doing. The difficu Iti es the aim of complementi ng and supporting the print pub I ication. of allocating responsibilities for 3. The seven commissioned reports are available The intention of the Workbook preservation and maintenance in an at the UKOLN website was always to provide practical environment in which digital resource http//www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/ and real istic gu idance to a range of creation is frequently a by-product of supporting( collaborative projects, which may institutions. An opportunity to test how well be funded by yet another external well sections of the workbook relate to agency, was also mentioned. specific institutional settings has arisen 4. Beagrie, N. & Greenstein, D. (1998). A Strategic Overall, it appears that there is still through a further project, funded by Policy Framework for Creating and Preserving a need to raise the level of awareness the British Library Cooperation and Digital Collections. Version 4.0 (Final Draft). of digital preservation, particularly Pa rtnership Programme. This six month ELib Supporting Study P3. Library Information and Technology Centre, South Bank University, among funding agencies and senior project is being conducted by the JISC adm inistrators with responsibi lity for DNER office and AHDS and is focusing London. http//ahds.ac.uk/manage/ framework.htm the strategic direction of an institution. on three deposit I ibraries, the British This needs to be combined w ith more Li brary, and the Universities of Oxford detailed guidance and training at and Cambridge. A workshop was 5. Hendley, T. (1998). Comparison of Methods the operational level. Moreover, conducted on 9th January 2001 and Costs of Digital Preservation. British Library the gu idance needs to be able to w ith representatives from the three Research and Innovation Report 109. London: accommodate people with va rying participati ng institutions and the British Library. levels of awareness and understanding NPO. This provided a rich source http//www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/ of digital preservation, all of whom of information with which to test tavistock/hendley/hendley.html> have significant constraints on their assumptions in the workbook, to time, and who work in a wide range provide feedback on specific sections 6. Hedstrom, M. & Montgomery, S. (1998). Digital of institutional settings. of it, and to inform future developments Preservation needs and Requirements in RLG With these external influences, the both of the workbook and related Member Institutions. Mountain View, Ca: RLG. workbook was developed as a resource digital preservation strategies. The http//www.rlg. ac.uk/preserv/digpres.html which could be used either in discrete workshop also strongly endorsed sections or as a whole. It would bring priorities identified in Lynne Brindley's 7. Nof-digitise programme: stage two support. together key existing sources of advice keynote address at the recent hllp//www.peoplesnetwork. gov.uk/ and guidance in one convenient Preservation 2000 conference in nof/index.html package, as well as providing a York. In particu lar, it emphasises the focus for issues not yet reso lved. need to act collaboratively to ensure Th e structure of the workbook has that digital preservation is firmly on 8. Central IT Unit (CITU). Information attempted to reflect different the agenda of key decision makers Age Government Champions. organisational hierarchies. The need and funders. ttl http//www.citu.gov.uk/iagdstrategy.htm preservation of photographs e
Written in Light: Photographic collections in a digital age A conference held by SEPIA (S afegu arding Eu ropean Photographic Images for Access) at the Public Record Office, 12- 14 September 2000.
by Belinda Sanderson, Information Officet~ N PO
The one-year SEPIA project brought Montfort University), on 'Metadata for The next session looked at digitisation together European institu tions holding digitised photographs'; David Chinn, projects. Tim Harris, (London Metropolitan photographic collections w ith the aims (PRO), on 'Managing the copying Archives, UK), spoke on 'The European of promoting access, providing training process for records w ithin a multi Visual Arch ive (EVA) or Digitisation "sans in preservation and digitisation, and departmental archival environment' frontieres"'. The two year project w as patt developing a framework for future and Tim Padfield, (PRO), 'Photographs, of the INF02000 programme of EC DG preservation and access projects. cl igitisation and copyright' . XIII, and undertook to digitise 20,000 Full information can be found at The second clay was chaired by images of photographic prints from the www.knaw.ni/ecpa/sepia. Helen Shenton, (D eputy Director cities of London and Antwerp(available at The Project was led by the European Preservation, Briti sh Library). In the first www.eva-eu.org.). Michael Gray, (Fox Commission on Preservation and Access session, on preservation, Gerardo l News in brief The UI The Working Group is also looking at • • The Ul< Institute for Conservat:on new ways of promoting the Register, The National Manuscripts Conservation now owns The Conservation Register, including making it available on the web. Trust exists to provide financial assistance formally run by the Museums and Enquiries should be made to: to custodians and owners for the Gal leries Commission. It is operated 0207 721 8246 at UKIC, preservation of the nation's written from UI New subscription rates:The subscription rates for the NPO Journal have been raised to the follow ing: UK £25, Overseas (surface) £30, Overseas (airmail) £34. ( publications e Book Reviews Relative Humidity & Temperature explanations, of good and bad data known names in the digital arena, Pattern Book recording methods. The book concludes e.g. Gertz, Chapman and Puglia. with four basic guidelines to set The Handbook takes a domain-wide by May Cassar environmental data in context, and a approach, drawing on the experience of london: Museums & Galleries usefullistoffurther reading. the Northeast Document Conservation Commission, 2000. The main strength ofthe publication Center's (NEDCC) Schools for Scanning ISBN 0 948630 88 4 is its illustrations of real data, w ith May curricula. Throughout the publication Cassar's expert interpretation - the common sense advice and information Review by Helen Cox equivalent of a 'type collection' enabling is provided from people who have readers to diagnose problems in their 'been there'. This publication provides an excellent own buildings by comparing their data The underlying theme of the introduction to temperature and with the examples shown. The Pattern Handbook is to ensure that institutions humidity monitoring for the newcomer. Book is extremely good value at £8, and can make a success of their first, and It also acts as a welcome refresher for a ' must' for anyone working in the field often small, digitisation project. They museu m professionals of any discipline, of data collection and interpretation. can then undertake larger and/or more who are responsible for the collection difficultdigiti sation projects having and interpretation of environmental data. ~ ...... ·-· "%· gained support through their earlier The book opens with a comparison experience and success. of the various types of monitoring Relative Hmnidity a 11d The H andbook opens by clarifying and calibration equipment available Tcrnpera turc P atter n llook the current situation by drawing on both (chemical, mechanical and electronic), successful and unsuccessful experiences, and details their strengths and and identifying the multiple facets weaknesses. The clear, tabular of digitisation. It is made clear that presentation makes it easy for the reader institutions need to think beyond merely to evaluate the system which would be acquiring digital technology to solve most appropriate for their situation. particular problems, and thatthey shou ld Following chapters deal with be building digital technology into their equipment reliability and data quality, information management strategy. methods of data presentation, and how There will be occasions where the to standardise data gathering procedures. contents will strike the non-American This is a very useful summary, aimed at Handbook for digital projects: reader as interesting if not applicable. For helping museums to get the best from A management tool for example, the chapter on copyright issues their monitoring instruments, and to preservation and access is useful in that it provides an overview understand the various factors that of the issues faced by anyone, anywhere, affect the reliability o f readings. Edited by Maxine K. Sitts who intends to digitise materials. Chapter 6 shows a range of graphs Northeast Document However, the legal information provided of real environmental conditions in Conservation Center will only apply to activities in the United different museum contexts: the 100 Brickstone Square States. functioning of air-conditioning plant, Andover The case studies cover commonly the effects of temperature or humidity MA01810 digitised materials and the purposes that gains on a room environment, conditions ISBN 0963468545 those undertaking a first d igitisation in open and closed galleries, case project are likely to come across. The microclimates and the effects of portable Review by julia Foster, Database Handbook contains an extensive humidity control equipment. An Applications Development bibliography for readers who wish explanatory text panel interpreting the Officer, National Preservation to know more. readings accompanies each graph. Office The concluding chapter of the book Use of the psychrometric chart as a addresses digitisation from the user's tool for data interpretation is discussed The table of contents of th is publication point of view. For example, evaluating in Chapter 7, followed by sections giving provides a good indication to the quality the rei iabi lity of digital resources as graphical examples, again with text of the essays and chapters, in its listing of evidence, and how or if the digital !he NPO Journal e people people resources can be used to provide added surrounding an object. This contains value. The chapter highlighted the pace a very useful discussion of the of change and the different work styles pollutants emitted by various materials between the technology and the (museum fittings and furnishings, case academic industries, making a thought constructions, packaging materials and provoking close to this publication. storage cabinets) and their effects on A searchable web version of collections. It goes on to explain how the the Handbook for digital projects: design and construction of a building can A management tool for preservation and passively reduce pollutant levels through access is avai lable at: www.nedcc.org. surface deposition, and how pollution Deborah Woodyard, Digital concentrations can be measured by Preservation Coordinator, active or passive monitoring techniques. British library The section concludes with a series of case studies on the choice of an It is a very exciting opportu nity for me to Guidelines on Pollution Control appropriate solution for pollution control, have started working in January as the British in Museum Buildings ranging from passive control with natural Library's first Digital Preservation Coordinator. ventilation, to fu ll air-condition ing with My career in preservation started as a paper by Nigel Blades, Tadj Oreszczyn, carbon fi ltration. conservator. I worked on short contracts for Bill Bordass and May Cassar Section3 shows the methodology in the Australian Archives, the Australian War london: Museums Association, 2000 practice, working through two examples Memorial and the National Film and Sound ISBN 0 902102 81 8 (a watercolour painting and a collection Archive in Canberra unti l I graduated from the of unlacquered silver), and the booklet University of Canberra, with a Bachelor of Review by Helen Cox ends with extensive references and Applied Science in the Conservation of Cultural sources of further information.lt is an Materials in 1991.1n the same year, I started The style of this booklet, with its bullet accessible and informative introduction working in the paper conservation laboratory points, flow charts, tables and case to a complex subject; and at £15 to non at the National Library of Australia (NLA) on studies, will be familiar to Museum subscribers, a powerful incentive to take flat works on paper, book repairs and general Practice subscribers. Guidelines on its parent journal. preservation management and disaster Pollution Control has been produced by Available from: The Secretary, Bartlett recovery. a panel of experts in this field, and aims School of Graduate Studies, (Torrington In 1996 the N LA saw electronic issues to raise awareness, among museum staff Pl ace Site), University College London, growing in importance and my focus sh ifted to and designers, of the effects of urban Gower Street, London WC1 E6BT. Digital Preservation. ln this area, I established pollutants on museum collections. procedures for the transfer of physical format The first section introduces the reader digital materia Is, worked on the development of to the main pollutants that cause damage the PAN DORA archive of on I i ne publications, to museum objects, their sources, and co-wrote the NLA preservation metadata their consequences. it outlines various outline, and contributed to the PAD I (Preserving methods of quantifying pollutant levels Access to Digital information) web site and assessing the amount of damage (www.nla.gov.au/padi/). clone, and quotes recommended exposure In November 2000, to complement my new values for airborne particles and a range digital focus, I completed a Graduate Diploma of common gaseous polluta nts. in Computing at the University of Canberra, The second section expounds a which I had been studying part-time. collection-centred methodology for I am looking forward toworkingon the approaching pollution control in British Library's new Digital Library System, buildings. The methodology is based coordinating digital preservation issues across on an assessment of the risk posed the Library, and building on the international to different collections by different relations and collaborative work in the field. pollutants, and a review of the poll uti on This new position will allow me to work characteristics of the microenvironment more closely with other colleagues in theworldofDigital Preservation. ~ lhe NPO Journal calendar e Conferences, meetings and events e May - July, london e June 12, London M etropolitan Archives e September 1 0 - 21, Paris, France May 7 - 11 Rediscovering historic photographic First Aid for Book Collection Japanese Conservation Techniques processes Contact: Susa n Bradshaw, Society ofArchivists , Syllabus includes: presentation of tools and materials; paper cutting and paper sheets May 7-June 22 Preservation and conservation of 40 Northampton Road, London ECI R OHB assembling; lining techniques of small size and photographic materials Tel: 0207 278 8630 Email: [email protected] oversize items; usc of karibari; reinforcement May 14- 16 Identification of photographic technique; bamboo tool making. processes e June 20 - 23, Munich Contact: Claude Laroque, MST CR/Universite May 17- 18 Preservation of colour photographic Fungi - A threat for people and cultural heritage Paris 1, 17ruede Tolbiac 75013 Paris, France materials through micro-organisms conference and solving Email: [email protected] May 21 - 22 Preservation of photographic fungal problems in heritage collections workshop September 27 - 29, Paris, France negative: glass, nitrate, acetate and other sheet O rganised by various conservator associations e Visibility of Restoration, legibility of Art Works and rool film systems (Ad R, BDR, IADA and ()RV) to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of th is problem and Fifth ARAAFU conference. June 14- 15 Storage criteria for the preservatio develop identification and treatment methods. Contact: N Richard, SecretariatColloqueARR!IFU, of photographic materials Participation welcome from doctors, scientists, 7 rue du Pot de fer, F-7500.5 Paris, France July 9 - 11 Preservation and conservation of insurers, conservators, storage administrators, Fax: +33 3 80280060 Ema il: colaraafu2001 @aol.com albums and photographically illustrated books archivists. Scope: identification, prevention July 9 - 20 Preservation and conservation of and treatment, health damage, object damage, albums and photographically illustrated books causes and consequences, air conditioning e October 1 -3, London (practical workshop) systems etc. Languages: German, English, 2001: A Pest Odyssey Contac t: The Centre for Photographic French. No collection is safe from pests! English Conservation, 233 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, Contact: 'Fungi' Conference 2001, Angelika Heritage, Science Museum and the National Preservation Office have joined forces to expose London SE23 1H U Rauch, Braunschweigischcs Lanclesmuseum, the silent creatures who thrive on materials found Tel: 0208 6903678 Fax:0208 314 1940 Burgplatz 1, 38100 Braunschweig in museums, libraries, archives and historic Email: [email protected] Tel:053112152660 Fax:053112152607 houses. Proven solutions and strategies for Email: [email protected] Website: www.cpc.moor.dial.pipex.com/ keeping collections safe w i II be presented by speakers from Europe, North America, Asia and July 3 - 5, London e Australia. Includes an evening reception in the e May 7-11, Stockholm, Sweden Conservation and Preservation of Photographs Science Museum (1 /1 0/00) and eli nner/dance Workshop on Pest Management. Tutor: Susie Clark in the Great Hall at Eltham Palace (2/1 0/00). Organ ised by the Swedish Museum Pest Contact: j ames Black Contact: Belinda Sanderson, National Preservation Working Group (PRE-MAL). Lectures on I PM, Tel: 020 7380 0800 Fax : 020 7380 0500 Office, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, control methods, practice on species Ema il: [email protected] London, NW1 20B identification and low oxygen. Tei :0207 412 7724 Fax:0207 412 7796 Contact: Monika Akcrlund, Secretary- PRE-MilL, e July 19- 22, Cambridge Email: [email protected] Swedish Museum ofNatural History, Dept of Society of Bookbinders Conference 2001 Regional Activities, PO Box 50007, SE- 104 05 Demonstrations and lectu res on modern e Spring 2002, Brunei Gallery, London Stockholm, Sweden techniques, repair, conservation and historical Part and Parcel of the Job_Ca ll for papers: Tel: +46 8 519 542 01 Fax: +46 8 519 54085 studies. Venue: Homerton College, Cambridge. deadline 31 October 2000 Ema il: [email protected] Contact: Philip Lee, Glebe House, Green Lane, Conference organised by the Institute of Website: www.nrm.se/t·e,1JremaVwelcon1e.html.en Everton SG19 2LA Paper Conservation to explore the role of the Web.~ite: www.socbkbind.com conservator, illustrated w ith case studies of conservation treatment programmes, together • M ay 15, Liverpool e Septcmber4-7, UniversityofWales, Aberystwyth with mounting and fram ing requ i remcnts as BS5454: 2000 Seminar and Workshop Safeguarding our Culture part of the loan activity. Contact: Susan/3radshaw, Society ofArchivis ts, Society of Archivists annual conference and Contact: Institute of Paper Conser11ation, 40 Northampton Road, London ECI R OHB. conservation training conference. Leigh Lodge, Leigh, Worcester WR6 SLB Tc/:0207 278 8630 Contact: Susan /3radshaw, Society ofA rchivists, Tel: 01886 832323 Fax: 01886 833688 Ema i I: societyofarchivists@archives. org. uk 40 Northampton Road, London EC1 R OHB Email: [email protected] Tel: 0207 278 8630 Email: societyofarchivists@a rchives.org.uk • June 1 -6 2002, Baltimore, USA-Call For • May 29-June 4, Dallas, USA Papers AIC annual meeting e September 10 - 11, British Museum, london IJC Congress 2002: Works of Art on Paper, Books, Documents & Photographs Techniques Three parts: Creativity and conservation Deterioration of Artists' Paints: Effects & analysis & Conservation (innovation and and the conditions that foster To provide a forum for the presentation and interpretation of recent advances in the analysis To include the study of original materials and them); Case studies on use of new materials techniques of manufacture and methods of of paint components, both organic and and equipment in the treatment of works of conservation/restoration of works on paper. inorganic. Relevant to conservation scientists, art; an evaluation of the slate of the field . Deadline for receipt of summaries 30 April conservators and technical art historians. Contact: Rebecca Anne Rushficld 2001 . Submit one side of A4 paper proposa l: Contact: Kate Lowry, Chair: Paintings Section, Tel: +718 575 2702 Email: [email protected] Contact : 1/C, 6 Buckingham Street, UKIC, Chief Conservation Officer, National London WC2N 6BA Museum ofWales , Cathays Park, Cardiff CFI 3NP Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 1564 e June 5 - ll, Strasbourg, France Tel : +44 122 573225 Fax: +44 122 573351 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Cellulose and Paper Deterioration Further information about the congress available Symposium which aims to give an overview la ter this yea r on: www.iiconservation.otg e September 12 - 14, london of current status of the wide field of the Past practice, future prospects e September 22 - 28 2002, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil degradation of paper and cellulose, and British Museum International Conference. I COM Conservation Committee: 13th Triennial the latest information on research and Conti'lct: Maureen Theobald, Dept of Meeting development in this field. Special emphasis is Conservation, British Museum, Great Russell Contar t: Isabelle Verger, ICOM-CC Secn! tariat, laid o n the preservation and conservation of Street, London W C1 B JOG d oiCCROM, 13 via di San Michele, deteriorated paper-based cultural heritage. Tel: 020 7323 8550 1-001 53 Rome, Italy Contact: www-emrs.c-strasbourg.fr Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] - the NPO Journal