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Published Quanerly by The Society of American Archivists The American Archivist

David Klaassen, Editor University of Minnesota Teresa M. Brinati, Managing Editor Society of American Archivists Karen Strauss, Editorial Assistant Anne R. Kenney, Issue Editor Cornell University Marion Matters, Issue Copy Editor

St. Paul, Minnesota Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021

DEPARTMENT EDITORS

PERSPECTIVES Scott Cline, Seattle Municipal Archives CASE STUDIES Susan E. Davis, Madison, Wisconsin THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE Marjorie Barritt and Nancy Bartlett, University of Michigan REVIEWS Anne R. Kenney, Cornell University

EDITORIAL BOARD Lewis J. Bellardo (1987-1991), Georgia Historical Society John Daly (1987-1991), Illinois State Archives Susan Grigg (1986-1990; CHAIR 1987-1989), Smith College Deborah Newman Ham (1989-92), Library of Congress Steven Hensen (1989-92), Duke University Howard Lowell (1988-1991), Delaware Bureau of Archives and Records Management Lydia Lucas (1988-1991), Minnesota Historical Society Philip P. Mason (1988-1991), Wayne State University Roxanne Nilan (1989-92), Stanford University Jane Nokes (1987-1990), Bank of Nova Scotia Nancy A. Sahli (1985-1989), National Historical Publications and Records Commission Roy C. Turnbaugh (1988-1991), Oregon State Archives

The Society of American Archivists

PRESIDENT John A. Fleckner, Smithsonian Institution VICE PRESIDENT Trudy H. Peterson, National Archives and Records Administration TREASURER Linda Henry, National Archives and Records Administration EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Donn C. Neal

COUNCIL MEMBERS Nicholas C. Burckel (1988-1991), Washington University Libraries Maygene Daniels (1987-1990), National Gallery of Art Terry Eastwood (1989-1992), University of British Columbia James E. Fogerty (1989-1992), Minnesota Historical Society Linda M. Matthews (1988-1991), Emory University Archie Motley (1987-1990), Chicago Historical Society James M. O'Toole (1988-1991), University of Massachusetts-Boston Mary Jo Pugh (1987-1990), Consultant Robert Sink (1989-1992), New York Public Library

About the cover: In 1984 the American National Standards Institute approved a standard (ANSI Z39.48-1984) for the manufacture of permanent paper for printed library materials in order to promote recognition of permanent paper and encourage its wider use. The standard recommends that publications printed on such paper be identified prominently through use of the infinity symbol (the mathematical sign of infinity circumscribed by a circle). The American Archivist is published on acid-free paper and, beginning with this issue, citations for reviews of books printed on acid-free paper include the infinity symbol. -The.

American Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 Archivist Volume 53 / Number 2 / Spring 1990 / Special Preservation Issue

Introduction From the Editor / 184 Anne R. Kenney The Importance of Archives / 188 Patricia Battin

Survey Current Trends in Preservation Research and Development / 192 George Martin Cunha

Research Articles Archival Preservation Practice in a Nationwide Context / 204 Paul Conway Preservation Microfilming for Archives and Manuscripts / 224 Janet E. Gertz

Case Studies Preservation Planning for Archives: Development and Field Testing of the NAGARA GRASP / 236 Bonnie Rose Curtin Educational Options for Preservation Administrators: An Afterword on the Preservation Management Institute / 244 Patricia A. Morris

Perspectives Selection for Microfilming / 250 Margaret S. Child Planning an Effective Holdings Maintenance Program / 256 Karen Garlick Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 Archival Preservation: The Teaming of the Crew / 266 Hilary A. Kaplan and Brenda S. Banks Whispers in the Stacks: The Problem of Sound Recordings in Archives / 274 Christopher Ann Paton

International Scene The Preservation of Books and Manuscripts in Cambodia / 282 John F. Dean Fire Recovery at the Library of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR / 298 Carolyn Hoover Sung, Valerii Pavlovich Leonov, and Peter Waters Conservation Program Planning at the National Archives of Canada / 314 Sandra Wright

Preservation Standards Checklist of Standards Applicable to the Preservation of Archives and Manuscripts / 324 Victoria Irons Walch, compiler

Reviews

Literature on the Preservation of Non-Paper Materials [Review Essay] / 340 Mary Bowling Audiovisual Resources on Preservation Topics [Review Essay] / 350 Cheryl Pence Burke and Adeloye, A Basic Manual of Museum Security, reviewed by Timothy Walch / 356 Buchanan, Disaster Planning, Preparedness and Recovery for Libraries and Archives, reviewed by Judith Fortson / 357 Oliphant, ed., Conservation and Preservation of Humanities Research Collections, reviewed by Maria Holden / 358 183

Wachter, ed., Study on Mass Conservation Techniques for Treatment of Library and Archives Material and Lord Cultural Resources Planning and Management, Feasibility Study for a Mass Deacidification Centre for Libraries and Archives in Metropolitan Toronto, reviewed by Richard Frieder / 360

Association for Library Collections and Technical Services, Preservation Microfilming: Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 Planning and Production, reviewed by Roy H. Tryon / 363 Kormendy, Manual of Archival Reprography, reviewed by Carla M. Kemp / 364 Vinas, Traditional Restoration Techniques, reviewed by John F. Dean / 365 Briefly Noted / 367 Recent Titles / 369

The American Archivist is published quarterly by the Society of American Archivists, 600 S. Federal, Suite 504, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Postmaster: send address changes to the American Archivist, 600 S. Federal, Suite 504, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Subscriptions: $75 a year to North American addresses, $90 a year to other addresses. Single copies are $15 for magazine copies and $18 for photocopies. Articles and related communications should be sent to Teresa M. Brinati, Managing Editor, Society of American Archivists, 600 S. Federal, Suite 504, Chicago, Illinois 60605. Telephone: (312) 922-0140. Advertising correspondence, membership and subscription correspondence, and orders for back issues should be sent to SAA at the address above. Requests for permission to reprint an article should be sent in writing to SAA at the above address. Claims for issues not received must be received by SAA headquarters within four months of issue publication date for domestic subscribers and within six months for international subscribers. The American Archivist is available on 16 mm microfilm, 35 mm microfilm, and 105 mm microfiche from University Microfilms International, 300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346. When an issue is out of stock, article and issue photocopies may also be obtained from UMI. The American Archivist is indexed in Library Literature and is abstracted in Historical Abstracts; book reviews are indexed in Book Review Index. ©The American Archivist is printed on an alkaline, acid-free printing paper manufactured with no groundwood pulp. As such, it substantially meets the requirements of the American National Standards Institute—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. Typesetting and printing of the American Archivist is done by Imperial Printing Company of St. Joseph, Michigan. The American Archivist and the Society of American Archivists assume no responsibility for statements made by contributors. ©The Society of American Archivists 1990. All rights reserved. ISSN 0360-9081. Second class postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and additional mailing office. 184 American Archivist / Vol. 53 / Spring 1990

Introduction Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021

From the Editor:

ANNE R. KENNEY

I am pleased to present this special issue conservation treatment refers to the changes of American Archivist which is devoted to brought about through physical and/or the topic of preservation in an archival set- chemical treatment. In his article, Paul ting. This is in fact the first theme issue in Conway provides a three-part definition of which all departments (down to "Selected preservation that incorporates his perspec- Recent Titles" in the Reviews Department) tive on the importance of planning, pre- contributed only pieces that focused on one vention, and informational content. Other topic. This issue is also one of the larger terms defined within these pages may be ones to be produced and will be made new to you, but they reflect current think- available for individual sale. ing about the dimensions of the preserva- The twenty-five contributors include some tion challenge in which the needs of the well-known names associated with the field collection take precedence over individual of preservation and some newer ones who items and where priorities for treatment must provide fresh perspectives. Together they be developed systematically. Among these represent a fusion of talent and disciplines, terms are holdings maintenance, collec- numbering among themselves archivists, tions conservator, and phased preserva- librarians, conservators, educators, and ad- tion. While it is true that the focus of this ministrators. This is a healthy mix in which issue is on preservation broadly defined, common problems are stressed and the dif- fully one-third of the contributors are trained ferences between us are not overlooked. conservators. Connections between conser- A word or two on terminology and fo- vation, administration, and education are cus. The Preservation of Library Materials explored in several of the articles. Section of ALA recently published a glos- Cooperation, not just between archivists sary of selected preservation terms. Pres- and others, but among ourselves is a theme ervation refers to all activities associated echoed by several of the authors. In the with maintaining materials in their original introductory article, Pat Battin challenges form or some other format, and conserva- archivists to find ways to join together as tion to physical or chemical treatments, al- librarians have done so successfully over though in fact the terms are used the issue of brittle books. She goes on to synonymously by many. Most of the au- say that the problems awaiting archivists thors in this issue follow the ALA lead, are as great as or greater than those facing with the exception of Sandra Wright who librarians. While many of us have felt this uses definitions included in the Conserva- way for some time, those outside our tion Policy of Canada in which conserva- profession are beginning to take notice. In tion is the preferred broader term and this case, the messenger is as important as From the Editor 185

the message: Pat Battin is president of the dards—both in development and ap- national Commission on Preservation and proved—for a wide variety of preservation- Access, an organization that has much in- related topics. The issues of preserving fluence over the ways granting agencies al- nonpaper media are ably addressed by Mimi locate their funds. The practical side of Bowling in her review essay and by Chris cooperation is examined by Janet Gertz in Paton in her perspectives piece on sound Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 her article on preservation microfilming recordings. John Dean's article on Cam- which is the one area in which librarians bodia reminds us that all things are relative: have succeeded in gaining national funds one must tailor preservation responses to for joint preservation projects. Gertz, an the situation at hand. How does one go about administrator in charge of a major library preserving important national treasures in preservation program at Columbia Univer- a country where both the climate and the sity, compares the nature of cooperative political situation are inhospitable to doc- projects between the two groups and pro- uments, and where the most basic sup- vides concrete information on what it will plies—electricity, clean water, window take for archivists to succeed in this area. screens—are lacking. A second major theme of this issue is the A final theme of this issue is education. need for planning. Paul Conway assesses In her follow-up case study, Pat Morris de- the state of archival preservation and pro- scribes how her attendance at the 1987 SAA poses how to proceed. Sandra Wright de- Preservation Management Institute affected scribes the two-year planning process at the the preservation program at the South Car- National Archives of Canada, and Bonnie olina State Archives. Hilary Kaplan and Rose Curtin outlines the development of Brenda Banks present a perspectives piece NAGARA's preservation planning self-study that examines formal educational opportu- tool which incorporates the use of artificial nities, argues that a repository must first intelligence. In her perspectives piece on determine which kind of preservation per- holdings maintenance, Karen Garlick de- sonnel are needed, and suggests how to scribes commonsense solutions that are fa- provide the appropriate education and miliar to most archivists—her contribution training. is the persuasive argument that these ac- Taken as a whole, this special issue out- tions must stem from a well-organized plan lines some of the major preservation trends of action. and challenges facing archivists today. The Appraisal, selection, and priority setting interconnections between authors are illus- are also common themes in many of these trated not only in their common themes but articles, and nowhere more forcefully stated by citations to each others' contributions in than in Margaret Child's perspectives piece this issue. Speaking of citations, this issue on selection for preservation microfilming. reveals how sparse the literature really is. She poses a dichotomy between the way Six of the articles cite Howard Lowell's selection decisions can be made by librar- Preservation Needs in State Archives. ians and archivists that should provoke fur- Lowell's study was a landmark piece, but ther thought by readers of AA. it is nearly five years old. Few other pub- Newer technologies are given attention lications in archives preservation have been in George Cunha's review article on re- produced since then, while library litera- search and development and the jointly au- ture on the subject has mushroomed. This thored article on the Academy of Sciences special issue of American Archivist fills a Fire in Leningrad. Continuing the trend set growing gap. But it is only a beginning. A in the Fall 1989 and Winter 1990AA, Vicki great deal of attention is being paid to ar- Walch provides a compendium of stan- chival preservation as evidenced by the 186 American Archivist / Spring 1990

number of preservation-related sessions at final stages of editorial revision, and to recent SAA annual meetings. This sharing Teresa Brinati for her cool head and sound of information needs to see print, and I urge managerial skills. I also would like to ac- others to submit their articles to Dave knowledge those who helped in concep- Klaassen and the departmental editors of tualizing this issue and were involved in Downloaded from http://meridian.allenpress.com/american-archivist/article-pdf/53/2/182/2747977/aarc_53_2_d95236p4g3244uj2.pdf by guest on 28 September 2021 AA. the review process: Charlotte Brown, Paul Special thanks go to these editors—Su- Conway, John Dean, Elaine Engst, Tim san Davis, Scott Cline, Marjorie Barritt, Ericson, Lisa Fox, Karen Garlick, Karen and Nancy Bartlett—for their willingness Motylewski, Howard Lowell, James and enthusiasm in embracing a whole theme O'Toole, Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, Ann issue. I am especially grateful to David Russell, Chris Ward, Tom Hickerson, and Klaassen who continues to be a wonderful finally, Michael Kenney Hickerson, who editor's editor, to Marion Matters who had his own ideas on how much time Mom stepped in to shepherd the issue through the should spend on this issue.