Book Description

This paper seeks to provide an intellectual rationale for maintaining the centrality of preservation concepts and ethics in an increasingly digital information environment; in other words, while some long-held principles of preservation management may no longer apply, many others are still viable in high-tech situations. Libraries are rearranging budgets and raising funds for digital image conversion. They must take steps to ensure long-term access to digital image files. The proposed context for preservation action, or conditions that need to exist as steps are taken, puts a premium on the library's sense of itself as custodian of materials with social value, an organizational structure that allocates resources to preservation, and cooperative effort among institutions. Preservation action should ultimately place priority on the longevity, choice or selectivity, quality, integrity, and accessibility of the images. The paper also offers suggestions for a framework of effective preservation leadership. (Contains 10 figures and 75 references.) (BEW)