Preservation in Libraries : Perspectives Principles and Practices

Books, millions of books, are falling apart. A great deal has been written
about information explosion and its impact on libraries. Nevertheless, all
libraries face difficult challenge of having to choose from the voluminous
publishing output both today's and yesterday's -- which materials to purchase
and preserve. The maintenance and care of the physical collection naturally
extend the selection criteria to new woks to decision of older woks in the
collection. Communities and institutions have an obligation to preserve the
records of their culture and history. The library, as a repository of culture,
must care for these materials and see to their preservation. A librarian is
responsible for the preservation of the collections, ensuring that they are
stored under best possible conditions, determining which materials require
special facilities or handling to prevent or retard deterioration and deciding
which materials merit conservation treatment. In the light of fast technological
advances in the creation, storage and dissemination of information that
librarians must revaluate the broad principles which have been guiding the field
till now. With electronic formats of library materials on the increase these
give in further encouragement to rexamine preservation principles specially in
the present day perspective of electronic forms of preservation. "Presservation
in Libraries: Perspectives, Principles and Practices" covers virtually the basic
structure of preservation of book and non-book materials to help the
professionals working in libraries, institutions which gave the traditional
responsibility to preserve the nation's documentary heritage. Preservation has
always been one of the primary aspects of librarianship. It has become a
recognised specialty within the library profession in recent principles which
have guided discipline. The application of these principles to different
situations calls for an in- depth understanding of these principles. This book
has been prepared for the general staff of a library. This book is a welcome and
timely contribution to librarianship and will serve in The years ahead as a
practical guide to a growing problem that will continue to plague librarians
while requiring commitment and resources to address and abate the problem.