UCSD Libraries Preservation Program

Information & Mission

Preservation Department Information

Mission of the Preservation Department
The mission of the Preservation Department is to maintain and preserve the collections of the UCSD Libraries in original or reproduction format, in order to provide access to information for our users and to protect unique materials. Our priority is to maximize the life expectancy and utility of the collections by providing for the present and future information needs of the university.

Preservation Program
In 1989 the UCSD Libraries began to develop an active preservation program following a set of actions recommended by the Preservation Program Task Force. The two and five year goals became the Preservation Program Strategies that paved the way for a coordinated effort to make changes to help protect library collections. The preservation librarian's position was increased from 25% to 50%. A comprehensive staff and user education program was initiated. In 1995 the Preservation Department was established as a separate department of the library. The Preservation Department incorporates binding, repair, and reformatting operations which had formerly been part of the Acquisitions Department. The preservation librarian is assigned responsibility as department head. The position reports to the AUL-Technical Services, and the department is part of the User Support Services cluster for the libraries. Most of the goals established by the Preservation Program Task Force report have been accomplished. The Preservation Department establishes annual goals which strive to address the library collection care needs through prompt and effective services provided by department staff.

Goals of the Preservation Program:

• To preserve and restore materials in a cost-effective, reversible and non-destructive fashion.
• To establish and maintain standards for commercial binding and to organize the necessary specification and preparation functions.
• To develop overall preservation policies consistent with the goals and objectives of the library and university.
• To educate staff and the public about preservation issues and procedures.
• To maintain a disaster preparedness program for collections and to respond effectively to emergencies.
• To maintain proper environmental conditions and security.
• To investigate new technologies applicable for preservation and access.

  The collections of the library represent one of UCSD's most valuable resources.