This post is a revised version of a briefing I wrote for colleagues a few months ago. My research included asking members of the archives-nra mailing list whether and how their organisation was archiving its corporate website. It emerged that few organisations are actively doing this, but many archivists would like to know more. So … Continue reading Why and how to archive your university’s website: an overview for absolute beginners
Category: Preservation
Fika and futures
Over the past five years, it's been a delight to see the Handbook reaching audiences way beyond the UK. For instance, last year I was invited to speak at a seminar in Stockholm sharing perspectives on rare books librarianship with a group of (mostly) Swedish librarians. The paper I gave has just been published, along … Continue reading Fika and futures
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
BLPAC to close
Bad news: the British Library's Preservation Advisory Centre is to close at the end of March. See the statement on their website. If you've read the Handbook, you'll know how much I value BLPAC's work, especially the really useful free booklets and training courses. They've also been an important cross-sector advocate for thinking strategically about … Continue reading BLPAC to close
The Broken Book
From a Book of Hours to a Book of Bits. This blog post by medievalist Elaine Treharne chronicles the shocking destruction of a Book of Hours. Sold at auction in 2010, this unique volume has since been split up and sold in pieces, a practice known as book-breaking or biblioclasm. A practice that goes on … Continue reading The Broken Book
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
Making the Case is Key for Music
This post from the Special Collections librarian at the Jerwood Library, Trinity Laban, is inspiring. It tells a story of hidden, neglected special collections which were a burden and a concern for library staff. The writer shows how making the collections visible and making the case for their support changed everything. It's particularly interesting that … Continue reading Making the Case is Key for Music
We ALL Hate Mr Clippy: the horrors of paperclips
Anyone caring for archives will know the horrors of rusty staples and paperclips or claggy broken rubber bands, which riddle most modern collections. In this great blog post, "Why I Hate Mr Clippy", Beth Doyle of Duke University Libraries explains the mischief these fasteners do and shares some tips for dealing with them quickly and … Continue reading We ALL Hate Mr Clippy: the horrors of paperclips
New from Ashgate – Library Space and Archives in Time
The latest catalogue of librarianship books from Ashgate features a couple which should be of particular interest for special collections: Smith, C and Stead, L. (eds). The boundaries of the literary archive. August 2013. Includes contributions by archivists about practical issues in literary archives, such as confidentiality and use in teaching and marketing. The case … Continue reading New from Ashgate – Library Space and Archives in Time
The Special Collections Handbook 