Get a free taste of the Special Collections Handbook in its latest form. Facet Publishing have made Chapter 2 on Emergency Planning available via open access so everyone can see what the book has to offer. Keeping collections safe from fire, flood, and the other "enemies of books" has been the essential task of librarians … Continue reading Taste the Handbook!
Category: Emergencies and security
Collection Care at the British Library
The British Library's Preservation Advisory Centre was closed in March 2014. Concerns about the loss of this valuable service were raised by many organisations and individuals. It is a pity that it has not proved possible to find a way to fund it though it is good to note that the publications (such as the … Continue reading Collection Care at the British Library
Bingo for Buttons: the archive accreditation workshop
Back in September (20th to be exact) I went along to a workshop on archives accreditation. Though I've been following the growth of the new standard pretty closely, I still found the event really helpful. If you're thinking of applying, do try to get to one of these sessions! What did I like about this … Continue reading Bingo for Buttons: the archive accreditation workshop
Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management
Oops! I realise I haven't mentioned the Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management (PAS 197: 2009). The Code is relevant to libraries, archives and museums, and offers a strategic framework for senior managers on collection management, development, information (i.e. cataloguing/metadata) and care. PAS 197 underlies the new archives accreditation standard, which is why I … Continue reading Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management
Salvaging Welsh Archives: latest on NLW fire
Latest on the National Library of Wales fire: this article on the BBC website which outlines the extent of the damage to collections and gives an insight into working practices and salvage processes. £5 million of damage was done and, sad to report, some archives were irreparably damaged by water and smoke. Lightly damaged material … Continue reading Salvaging Welsh Archives: latest on NLW fire
Danger! Contractors at (Hot) Work!
Got the builders in? This greatly increases the risks of fire and water damage to your building and collections and services. And "hot work" activities such as the use of blowtorches or welding equipment are particularly risky. Two major fires in heritage organisations in recent weeks graphically illustrate this point. Fortunately no-one was hurt as … Continue reading Danger! Contractors at (Hot) Work!
Too Many Collections, So Little Time?
Are you struggling with increasing numbers of users, demand for digital, crumbling collections, unsuitable storage space, intellectual property conundrums, born-digital collections, lack of skills, pressure of public sector cuts and recession ...? You are not alone! Two essential new reports reveal the challenges faced by UK special collections and archives and give us the evidence … Continue reading Too Many Collections, So Little Time?
Mini Emergency Toolkit
"Eeek! Wet books! Water everywhere! What do I do first? What do I do next? How do I dry these books out? Should I freeze these things? IS THAT MOULD??" Special collections are at risk from floods (topical, alas) and other water leaks, not to mention fire. Prompt and effective action can make a huge … Continue reading Mini Emergency Toolkit
Emergency Toolkit
An essential new book from the Handbook's publishers, Facet Publishing, on a subject which is the very heart of special collections librarianship: Emergency planning and response for libraries, archives and museums, by Emma Dadson. To quote my comments on the Facet website, this book is ... "A realistic and practical primer on all aspects of … Continue reading Emergency Toolkit
Special, Safe and Secure
An impressive new work published by the Association of College & Research Libraries offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of security for special collections: Guide to security considerations and practices for rare book, manuscript and special collection libraries, compiled and edited by Everett Wilkie (ACRL, 2011). The book offers definitive expert guidance on this vital … Continue reading Special, Safe and Secure
The Special Collections Handbook 