Preservation
In order to preserve the Silverstein Public Library’s Children’s Book and Film Collection for the long-term, the shelves containing items will be stored out of direct sunlight, as neither books nor audiovisuals react well to such exposure and we will also use filters on our fluorescent lights. In regards to the area’s temperature, we will strive to keep it in the low 70s, but we will not be averse to letting patron and staff comfort guide us in this. However, the relative humidity is to be kept at 45 ± 3. This area will be monitored regularly to prevent large fluctuations in either temperature or humidity and also to look for any roof leaks, mold, or bug issues. This would be covered under basic housekeeping needs and should also include at least monthly dusting, vacuuming and a cursory examination of the collection for damaged items.
To secure our collection, the Silverstein Public Library will tattle tape the books and store the DVDs and Blu-rays in secure and locked cases, both of which will have to be demagnetized and/or opened by a librarian before they can be checked out. In addition, the decision has been made to limit direct checking out to only authorized cardholders (ages three and above) and those cardholders of libraries with reciprocal borrowing agreements. Interlibrary loan items will be kept behind the checkout counter to insure that they will be picked up by the authorized borrowers only.
The longevity of our collection is also of primary importance, though we do recognize that this is a general collection and will suffer the usual wear and tear typical of such a collection. To help guarantee that the Silverstein Public Library’s items available for our patrons are in the best possible condition, we will pay particular attention to the incoming items, examining them for both damage and normal wear and tear. For simple and basic, mostly cosmetic repairs to our reading materials and cleaning for our audiovisuals, our staff will be trained in doing them in house. In regards to DVDs and Blu-ray’s, this also translates to cleaning, case replacement and basic scratch buffering. However, for items that are lost or returned damaged beyond repair, the patron that checked them out will be held responsible for the costs incurred by the library in replacing the item and its’ in-processing. Finally, for library materials that have become worn-out and unusable due to normal wear and tear, they will be replaced using the library funds dedicated to this collection and, if necessary, the funds dedicated in the budget to the general collection as a whole. Both damage and repairs, along with replacement in-processing, will be tracked using electronic forms for this purpose.
In conclusion, all of these components of preservation will help ensure that the Children’s Book and Film Collection will remain a vital component of the Silverstein Public Library for many years to come.
Sources:
- Ritzenhaler, Mary Lynn. Preserving Archives and Manuscripts, 2nd Edition. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2010.
- Ogden, Sherelyn. “Temperature, Relative Humidity, Light, and Air Quality: Basic Guidelines for Preservation” in Preservation of Library and Archival Materials: A manual. Andover, MA: Northeast Document Conservation Center, 1994. http://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/2.-the-environment/2.1-temperature,-relative-humidity,-light,-and-air-quality-basic-guidelines-for-preservation
- Banks, Paul L. “Environment and Building Design” in Preservation: Issues and Planning. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000.
- Teper, Jennifer Hain. “Class Six: Environmental and Building Issues: Light, Temperature and Relative Humidity”. Graduate class lecture for LIS582: Preservation Information Resources, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, September 30, 2014).
Silverstein Public Library Youth Collection 