Nation’s libraries to provide guidance on how to preserve priceless heirlooms, collectibles

CHICAGO – With spring cleaning in full swing, thousands will ponder how to preserve new-found treasures.  From April 26 – May 2, many will turn to their local library to celebrate Preservation Week®, a time when libraries across the country will provide information and expertise on how to preserve collectibles, dolls, textiles, digital photos, family records and other valuable materials.

Themed “Pass it on,” Preservation Week® will feature special programs and services that will help connect library users with preservation tools; promote the importance of preservation; and strive to enhance knowledge of preservation issues among the general public.

“Libraries play a key role in helping us understand and preserve history,” said Mary Page, president of the Association of Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS).  “We risk losing decades of digital history, and more than 1.3 billion priceless treasures held by public institutions are at risk of being lost forever because of preservation ignorance. During Preservation Week® libraries demonstrate what we can do, individually and together, to preserve our personal and shared histories.”

Participating libraries will offer special programs and services that will help connect library users with preservation tools. For example, the New York Public Library will provide patrons with free access to librarians, conservators, digital archivists and preservation specialists who will provide tips on how to preserve different formats, including audio and moving image materials, digital archives, art, books, papers and photographs. 

The University of Maryland Library is opening its doors to the public for a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the library’s' conservation satellite lab. Visitors will be able to view works in progress and treatment techniques used to repair and conserve unique library materials.  Preservation experts also will be on hand to provide tips on how to protect family treasures. 

As the author of more than 20 books and the host of the History Channel’s series “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History,” Brad Meltzer will lend his support to Preservation Week® as its 2015 Honorary Chair.  Downloadable photos of Meltzer and audio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are available at http://tinyurl.com/Preswk15pk .

For more information on Preservation Week® and downloadable artwork, events information, videos and additional resources, please visit the Preservation Week® website www.ala.org/preservationweek and the Preservation Week® press kit http://tinyurl.com/Preswk/15pk.

ALCTS is the national association for information providers who are dedicated to the acquisition, identification, cataloging, classification, and preservation of all kinds of library materials. ALCTS is a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

Preservation Week® is a registered trademark of the ALA.