Preserving our history and sharing knowledge are what our profession does best. You can play an important role in helping your patrons save their own family history and personal treasures.
In celebration of Preservation Week 2012 (April 22nd –April 28th), the Library of Congress is sponsoring public events to share preservation strategies and basic instructions that help people care for their personal materials and thereby pass them on.
A brief list of our Preservation Week activities is below. The full list, including descriptions of each program, can be found on our website and in the Library’s official press release.
Monday, April 23, from noon to 1 p.m., “Film: Investment in the Future:” A 35-minute photofilm (a film made from still images) from the 1980s explains the history of library preservation through the activities of the Library of Congress at that time. Dining Room A, on the sixth of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, April 24, from noon to 1 p.m., “Caring for Your Digital Photos: Strategies to Help You Organize and Save Your Digital Memories:” Staff from the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program and the Prints and Photographs Division will provide basic, practical tips for organizing and saving digital photos. Dining Room A, on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, April 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., “Save Your Digital Stuff: Practical Strategies for Preserving Your Digital Materials:” Staff from the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program will provide some basic, practical tips for preserving personal digital collections. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial D.C. Public Library, 901 G St N.W., Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, April 25, from noon to 1 p.m., “Caring for Your Books, Documents and Works of Art on Paper, and Photographic Prints:” Conservation specialists from the Preservation Directorate will discuss and demonstrate basic preservation measures one can do at home to care for personal collections. Pickford Theater on the third floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Webinar. “Saving Cherished Memorabilia: Preservation Tips for Family Historians:” Staff members from the Library's Preservation Directorate and the Local History & Genealogy Reading will host a free webinar with tips and recommendations for preserving family memorabilia. To participate in this webinar, send an email at least three days prior to the event to Mark Wilson (mwilson at loc dot.gov). Webinar "seats" are limited and will be filled in the order in which the requests are received.
Thursday, April 26, at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Webinar: “Preserving Your Personal Digital Photographs:” The National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program will present information about learning to care for digital photos. Hosted by the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services. Free; registration required at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/666813208.
Saturday, April 28, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., “Save Your Digital Stuff: Practical Strategies for Preserving Your Digital Materials:” Basic, practical tips for preserving personal digital collections. Arlington Country Public Library, Central Branch, 1015 North Quincy St., Arlington.
Throughout the month, Young Readers Center Open House: The Center will feature lively presentations and a book display introducing aspects of preservation to its young visitors and their families. The Young Readers Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Room G29 on the ground floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.
A full list of national activities can be seen at Preservation Week’s online map and followed on Twitter, @PreservationWk.
