Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group

The Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group is scheduled
to meet on Sunday,  June 18, 2006, 8:30am - 10pm as part of AIC's
34th Annual Meeting in Providence, RI.  The theme for the discussion
is The Changing Role of Collections Conservation II: New Workflows
and New Collection Paradigms.  The discussion will be organized
around two topics:

Topic 1: Conservation's Role in Off-Site Storage Workflows and
Related Projects

    Many research libraries have recently secured or are currently
    constructing off-site storage buildings to house low-use and
    special library materials.  Questions to explore may include:

    How and to what degree are conservation staff and conservators
    involved in the planning process?  What input do conservators
    have on buildings construction, storage mechanisms, and item or
    collection-level selection?

    How are materials processed or stabilized for transfer?  What
    kinds of new workflows and projects have been created as a
    result of transfer to off-site storage facilities?  What is the
    impact on existing function and staffing levels?

    How has this work been absorbed into the Conservation Lab or
    department's work?  If not, how is this work accomplished
    outside of the lab by other staff?

    How has the option for this type of access affected treatment
    decision-making?

Topic 2: Conservation's Role in Digitization Workflows and Projects

    The introduction of digitization projects has also changed the
    nature of the work we do.  Questions to explore may include:

    How are conservators involved in work related to digital
    projects?

    How are conservators involved in selection and planning?  In the
    preparation of funding requests?

    How has the digitization of collections affected treatment
    decision-making?

    What is the impact of digitization projects on lab workflow and
    prioritization?

    What is the role of the conservator in preserving newly created
    digital collections?

The discussion will be informal.  Participants are encouraged to
bring and share policies for transfer of materials to off-site
storage, prioritization decision-trees for storage and digitization,
handling guidelines, budget plans, or other relevant documentation.
We hope that you will join us and share your perspective and
experiences.

Anyone willing to provide documentation in advance of the meeting
for copying and distribution or display via Power Point should
contact the discussion group moderators, Whitney Baker
<wbaker [at] ku__edu> and Christine McCarthy <cmccarthy [at] uchicago__edu> by
Friday, May 26, 2006.

Christine McCarthy
Head of Conservation
University of Chicago Library
1100 East 57th St., Room 150
Chicago IL 60637
773-702-1681
Fax: 773-702-6623

Whitney Baker, Conservator
University of Kansas Libraries
1425 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 135
Lawrence, KS  66045-7544
785-864-3568
Fax: 785-8864-5311


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:52
                  Distributed: Friday, April 28, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-52-009
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