April: Preservation Week!

Preservation Week, a presentation of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), will be held April 21–27, 2013. During that week free webinars will offered on family photos, digital archiving and making good decisions on preservation supplies.  The webinars will be given April 23-25 at 1 p.m. CDT and will last about one hour.  Registration is required.  Learn more at ALCTS Events.




Hosting a Personal Digital Archiving Day Event: A Special Webinar Presentation
Presented by Erin Engle, digital archivist with the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program at the Library of Congress.
On March 20, the Library of Congress Digital Preservation Program, the Public Library Association and ALCTS will present a very special webinar for librarians interested in learning how to host an innovative public program on preserving personal digital information.  The webinar is free and open to anyone interested in hosting an event.  ALCTS thanks The HF Group/ACME Bookbinding for sponsoring this webinar.
In an effort to share knowledge on how best to care for personal digital information, the Library of Congress’ National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program developed The Personal Digital Archiving Day Kit. The toolkit provides resources for staff at libraries, archives and other cultural institutions to help them plan and present a personal digital archiving day program.   This webinar focuses on the resources included in the kit, how the kit can be used to plan a public program and why holding a personal digital archiving program is beneficial for both public libraries and their communities.

The Preservation of Family Photographs: Here, There and Everywhere (April 23)
Presented by Debra Hess Norris,  chair of the Art Conservation Department at the University of Delaware and Professor of Photograph Conservation.  
Get basic guidance on the care and preservation of family photographs from 19th-century tintypes to contemporary color prints. The webinar addresses the fundamental physical and chemical properties of photographic print and negative materials, including albums and scrapbooks, and the causes and mechanisms of their deterioration. Strategies for preservation, such as proper handling, storage and display techniques will be shared.
Attendees will better understand:  basic characterization and identification of albumen, silver gelatin and chromogenic color print materials, and film base negatives; agents of deterioration for photographic materials; storage and exhibition practices; and handling guidelines
ALCTS thanks Archival Products for sponsoring this webinar and supporting Preservation Week.

Personal Digital Archiving (April 24)
Presented by Mike Ashenfelder, digital preservation project coordinator, the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program at the Library of Congress.
Increase your understanding of common digital files—digital photos, recordings, video, documents and others—and learn what it takes to preserve them. Technology changes rapidly. If you don’t actively care for your digital possessions you may lose access to them as some technologies become obsolete. Learn about the nature of the problem and hear about some simple, practical tips and tools to help you preserve your digital stuff.
ALCTS thanks The MediaPreserve for sponsoring this webinar and supporting Preservation Week.

Archival 101: Dealing with Suppliers of Archival Products  (April 25)
Presented by Peter D. Verheyen, head of preservation and conservation at Syracuse University.

• Do you need to purchase archival supplies for your organization or even yourself?
• Are you confused by the terminology and not sure about the differences between the various vendors?
• Not finding exactly what you are looking for and unsure about adapting different products?

Archival 101 is designed to demystify the archival product market for the layperson and non-preservation specialist. Attendees will be provided an overview of the conservation and preservation issues facing libraries, cultural organizations, and individuals; describe the terminology in use; discuss products and offer buying tips on the different ways these can be used.  This presentation was originally developed for call center staff at Gaylord Bros. when he worked there as Archival Product Manager. It has since been presented regionally to varying audiences.
To view this Discussion in Connect, go to http://connect.ala.org/node/202908.