Mark Lambert complied this Twenty “Practical Preservation Tips” for Librarians List from a discussion on the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV.
1. Don’t build a library underground.
2. Don’t build a fountain on the floor above your book stacks.
3. Never, ever store anything you really want to keep on the floor, even if for just a minute, because as soon as you turn your back, that minute turns into a week, and that week turns into a broken water pipe, flood, etc.
4. Shelf books in the collection an inch back from the edge of the shelf, and not all the way to the back of the shelf, just in case there is a water leak above. That way, water will only thoroughly soak the top shelf as it makes its way down the front and middle of the stack.
5. Store everything in containers/boxes if possible, and never leave anything laying around out of its box if possible; close box lids whenever possible, such as when leaving at night; close all file cabinets and drawers as soon as possible. They help prevent disaster damage, as well as worker compensation claims!
Mark Lambert complied this Twenty “Practical Preservation Tips” for Librarians List from a discussion on the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV.
1. Don’t build a library underground.
2. Don’t build a fountain on the floor above your book stacks.
3. Never, ever store anything you really want to keep on the floor, even if for just a minute, because as soon as you turn your back, that minute turns into a week, and that week turns into a broken water pipe, flood, etc.
4. Shelf books in the collection an inch back from the edge of the shelf, and not all the way to the back of the shelf, just in case there is a water leak above. That way, water will only thoroughly soak the top shelf as it makes its way down the front and middle of the stack.
5. Store everything in containers/boxes if possible, and never leave anything laying around out of its box if possible; close box lids whenever possible, such as when leaving at night; close all file cabinets and drawers as soon as possible. They help prevent disaster damage, as well as worker compensation claims!6. Store plastic sheeting in pre-cut sheets on each floor of your stacks.
7. Don’t store anything you really want on the top shelf under the sprinklers.
8. Know how much your shelves hold in weight, so when shifting stacks, they don’t crash to the floor due to new heavier loads.
9. In new buildings, attempt to get separate climate control from the rest of the building, to prevent such things as the HVAC being shut down on weekends.
10. When water leaks happen, also search the less obvious places for water, such as lower (and higher) floors, for water traveling along pipes, vents, ducting, etc.
11. Label everything as soon as possible.
12. Store a copy of your library catalog off-site, or at least in a disaster proof area of your building.
13. Have a disaster plan, and emergency supplies handy in case of a disaster.
14. Know where water/electrical cut-off knobs/valves are in your building.
15. Beware of rodents/pests-have regular pest control.
16. Get to know your physical plant people well, and make sure they understand library preservation concerns.
17. You have fire drills/also have Water drills, so the staff knows what to do when water attacks your collection.
18. Reversibility in Preservation-Never do what you cannot undo.
19. Digitization is great for access, lousy for preservation.
20. A pH testing pen and white cotton gloves are basic tools you cannot do without.
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