#PresTC Final Schedule

Time (All times EDT)

Session

9:00-9:15 AM

Emergency Preparedness: More than a Binder

Andrew Robb

Abstract: Collection Emergency Preparedness involves five steps in a cycle: Planning, Organizing, Training, Exercising, and Evaluating. Presentation will describe each step and link to a resource for each.

Bio: Andrew Robb is Coordinator for the Preservation Emergency Response Team for a large Federal research library in Washington DC and is also a member of the National Heritage Responders. He has advised on emergency preparedness, response, and recovery across the United States and abroad for cultural institutions small and large.

9:15-9:30

Lighting a Fire: Gaining Buy-in for Emergency Preparedness at your Institution

Rebecca Fifield

Abstract: The most challenging part about emergency preparedness can be just getting started. This session offers ideas for transforming good intentions into a robust emergency management program. Discussion will include communicating your vision, building relationships with allies, and educating administration about comprehensive planning. Resources that foster preparedness culture will be highlighted.

Bio: Rebecca Fifield is Head of Collection Management at The New York Public Library. Past work included collection management roles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Becky holds an M.A. in Museum Studies from The George Washington University , where she received a National Endowment for the Humanities Collection Care Administrator Training Program fellowship. She is the Chair Emeritus of the American Institute for Conservation’s Collection Care Network and former Chair of the Alliance for Response NYC. She is the author of chapters on emergency management and recovery in two forthcoming books.

9:30-9:45

Gathering and documenting archival repository location data

Whitney Ray

Abstract: Researchers are creating a comprehensive data set of locations of archival repositories in the U.S. By collecting and disseminating this data, they hope to increase the resiliency of the archival community to climate change. This project is funded by an SAA Foundation grant.

Bio: Ben Goldman is the Sally W. Kalin Librarian for Technological Innovations and Digital Records Archivist at Penn State and the grant’s principal investigator. Eira Tansey is the Digital Archivist and Records Manager for the University of Cincinnati and grant collaborator. Whitney Ray is an MSLS student at UNC-Chapel Hill and the grant’s research assistant.

9:45-10:00

EaaSY: Scaling Emulation and Software Preservation Infrastructure

Seth Anderson

Abstract: The Scaling Emulation and Software Preservation Infrastructure (EaaSY) project is focused on scaling the technological framework of the Emulation-as-a-Service (EaaS) model for access and use of preserved software and digital objects. The project team will share an overview of our goals and plans for the project.

Bio: Seth Anderson is the Software Preservation Program Manager in the Digital Preservation Services of the Yale University Library. In this role, he is responsible for projects related to software preservation and emulation services. Seth previously worked at the Museum of Modern Art implementing electronic records management services and a digital preservation repository. He received his MA in Moving Image Archiving and Preservation from New York University.

10:00-10:15

Sharing Disk Images with Everyone

Kelsey O'Connell

Abstract: The digital forensics field is quickly being adopted by professionals charged with sustaining cultural heritage of born-digital materials. Digital forensics reports assist the digital preservation of born-digital archives, but they also contain a wealth of context about the material itself. Should we make the context of these reports available to researchers, and how?

Bio: Kelsey O’Connell is the Digital Archivist at Northwestern University. As part of the Archival Processing department, her responsibilities include developing policies, workflows, and standards for the acquisition, appraisal, processing, preservation, and access of born-digital archival material for the Distinctive Collections workgroup. As the main processor of born-digital archives, she regularly uses digital forensics tools to aid in the digital preservation of these resources.

10:15-10:30

Documentation and Conservation of Royal Albumen Photographic Collection of King Farouk

Rasha Shaheen

Abstract: This paper presents the application to treatment and conservation of a set of albumen photographic print-out that exist within King Farouk collections and kept in Royal of Vehicles Museum, dating from 19th century. The album has been documented in archaeological photographical documentation and digitalized. Deterioration aspect has been identified.

Bio:

10:30-10:45

Lingua Franca: A Common Language for Conservators of Photographic Materials

Tania Passafiume

Abstract: Lingua Franca: is the first English-French visual glossary of photo conservation terms, in eBook format. It contains bilingual definitions of photographic processes, condition issues, treatment options, preventative care, technical studies and provenance. This eBook contains commonly used terms, which briefly defined and illustrated with photographs and/or videos

Bio: Tania Passafiume has been the Head Conservator of Photographic Materials for Library and Archives Canada since 2005. After graduating Queens’s University MAC Programme; specializing in Photographs, Works on Paper and Books Conservation; she moved to Rochester NY for three years at the George Eastman Museum. First participating in the Certificate Program in Photographic Preservation and Archival Practice and then in the first cycle of the Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation. The following three years, Tania was an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow, in Photographic Conservation at the Art Institute of Chicago

10:45-11:00

Looking after your family papers at home

Lorraine Finch

Abstract: If like me, you have all of your precious family papers and photographs in a suitcase on top of the wardrobe you may be wondering what is the best way to care for them. We will look at how to protect your family archive, where to get storage folders from, how to handle your papers and photographs and the ever thorny issue of whether to wear gloves or not

Bio: I am an accredited conservator, and founder and owner of LF Conservation and Preservation. I work with the conservation and preservation of archive and library material, and specialise in the conservation and preservation of film, sound and photographs. I am a Director and Trustee of the Institute of Conservation [Icon]. Resulting from these roles, I am Chair of the Ethics Task and Finish Group of Icon and a member of the Professional Standards Development Committee. I am Social Media Officer for the Photographic Material Group of Icon.

11:00-11:15

Safe & Simple Housing Solutions for 3D Artifacts

Julia Merkel

Abstract: Manuscript processing often comes with 3-dimensional objects in tow. Storing these materials safely and with an eye to economy of space can be challenging. Simple housings for artifacts will be addressed with solutions created for the Blackley and Madison Memorabilia Collections in JMU Libraries’ Special Collections.

Bio: Julia Merkel is the Preservation Officer for James Madison University Libraries--a position she has held since 2003. She holds an MFA in Painting from JMU and a BFA in Sculpture and Art History from the University of Notre Dame with coursework and an avid interest in book arts. In addition to repair and stabilization of both circulating and special collections, she has the privilege of curating JMU's Artists' Books Collection. She has taught as an adjunct professor for James Madison University, the University of North Texas, and Virginia Military Institute.

11:15-11:30

Box it Up: Why and How We Create Custom Housings

Katie Risseeuw

Abstract: Over the past few years, our preservation work has included large housing projects – from inculabula to computers, smashed violins to trophies. This presentation will highlight the How and Why of these custom housings, such as collection priorities, storage considerations, materials, and the finished product.

Bio: Northwestern University Libraries' Preservation Department preserves library collections in all formats through preventive conservation services like commercial binding, mass deacidification, EMP, IPM, shelf preparation, and custom housings. Conservation work includes treatment of both general and special collections, registrar and exhibit prep duties, research, and surveys.

11:30-11:45

Conservation and Social Media

Elspeth Jordan

Abstract: How and why do people use social media to share and access ideas on conservation? This presentation will present the results of a 2017 survey of over 200 individuals from around the world, which asked them how social media is influencing their conservation practices.

Bio: Elspeth Jordan is a Photograph Conservator at Library and Archives Canada. She completed her B.A. at the University of Guelph in 2006 and her diploma in Collections Conservation & Management at Fleming College in 2010. Before joined Library and Archives Canada she worked at Canadian Museum of Nature, Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, and the Archives of Ontario.

11:45-12:00 PM

I Can't Get No) Documentation Revisited: Preservation Reporting in the Archives

Julia Welby and Marissa Vassari

Abstract: The RAC has been working to standardize documentation related to preservation projects and processes. The Preservation Report that we created promotes interdepartmental communication, transparency among staff, and long-term tracking of all preservation decisions and work done on our collections.

Bio: Marissa Vassari is an Archivist and Educator at the Rockefeller Archive Center. She holds a M.A. in childhood education and a MLIS with a specialization in archival studies. Julia Welby (@jwelbs) will be joining us remotely from her new position as an Assistant Archivist on assignment at Gates Archive. During her time at RAC, she collaborated on the creation of the Preservation Report. She holds a MA in Social Science from the University of Chicago.

12:00-12:15

Sustainable environments for preservation

Sarah Stauderman

Abstract: Showcase recent developments in establishing temperature and humidity guidelines for libraries, archives, museums that consider sustainability and effective preventive management of collections

Bio: Sarah Stauderman is the Director of Collections at the Hirshhorn Museum, the Nation's Museum of Modern Art. A paper conservator and museum manager, Sarah is the co-editor of The Proceedings of the Smithsonian Institution Summit on the Museum Preservation Environment (2016). Before 2015, she was the Collections Care Manager at the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

12:15-12:30

Lessons Learned about Preservation from CLIR’s Recordings at Risk Grant Recipients

Recordings at Risk

Abstract: Recordings at Risk grant recipients will share insights and lessons learned from processing at-risk audio and audiovisual materials. CLIR Grants program staff will also provide links to further information about applying for grant funding as well as general digitization and preservation best practices.

Bio: Recordings at Risk is a US regranting program administered by CLIR supporting the preservation of rare and unique audio and audiovisual content of high scholarly value through digital reformatting. Designed to be accessible to professionals possibly constrained by limited resources and/or technical expertise, RaR aims to help institutions approach the preservation process in practical ways while building relationships with partners and knowledge of best practices. Generously funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation since 2017, awards range from $10,000-$50,000 and cover costs of preservation reformatting for audio and/or audiovisual content by qualified external service providers.

12:30-12:45

Building Emergency Preparedness Into Your Calendar: The MayDay Campaign

Jess Unger

Abstract: The MayDay campaign encourages collecting institutions to set aside May 1st every year to do one thing for emergency preparedness. Created by SAA and promoted by FAIC, the campaign has spurred a range of creative activities to help institutions prepare. Get inspired and learn more about this year’s campaign!

Bio: Jessica (Jess) Unger is the Emergency Programs Coordinator at the Foundation of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC). In her role, she manages several programs that support emergency preparedness and response efforts among cultural institutions, including the national Alliance for Response initiative. Prior to joining FAIC, Jess had previously been on staff at Heritage Preservation, serving as Emergency Programs Assistant and Director of External Affairs. She holds a BA in Anthropology from The College of William and Mary and a MA in Public Humanities from Brown University.

12:45-1:00

Preserving Trauma: Documenting the Events of August 11 and 12, 2017 in Charlottesville

Lauren Work

Abstract: Charlottesville, Virginia, was the site of an act of domestic terrorism over the weekend of August 11 & 12, 2017. Since that time, Librarians and archivists have been working to collect, preserve, and make accessible digital and physical materials from the local community and university that reflect this traumatic historical event.

Bio: Lauren is the Digital Preservation Librarian at the University of Virginia Library, where she oversees the implementation of digital preservation strategy at the Library by creating technical and administrative workflows for born-digital content that allow for the ingest, preservation, and long-term access to digital materials.

1:00-1:15

#UndeadTech: Crowdsourcing obsolete media equipment

Laura Alagna

Abstract: Faced with a growing variety of obscure obsolete media, Northwestern University Libraries has developed a collection of equipment aimed at increasing our ability to archive and preserve content from mobile devices, uncommon disk types, etc. This presentation will discuss #UndeadTech, our crowdsourcing initiative to collect this equipment.

Bio:

1:15-1:30

The National Heritage Responders

Rebecca Elder

Abstract: The National Heritage Responders are a volunteer team of conservators providing assistance to libraries, museums, archives and other collections-holding institutions after disasters. This session will introduce the group and the services they provide; and explain how to take advantage of this resource after a disaster.

Bio: Rebecca Elder is the coordinator for the National Heritage Responders and a preventive conservator in private practice in Austin, TX. Read more about Rebecca at www.elderpreservation.com

1:30-1:45

10 Surprising Reasons Your Old Home Movies Are Worth Preserving

Snowden Becker

Abstract: Seen any good home movies lately? Actually, you probably have—they’re being used more and more in documentaries and visual histories of the 20th century, and moving images shot by ordinary people capture events of national significance from the past and present alike. Preserving them is easy, and important!

Bio: I'm interested in how audiovisual materials--everything from Hollywood blockbusters to home movies and police bodycam footage--are preserved and accessed as part of our larger cultural heritage. In 2003, I co-founded the international Home Movie Day project and the nonprofit Center for Home Movies, which has helped thousands of people worldwide watch, care for, and appreciate their family films. As the MLIS degree program manager in UCLA's Department of Information Studies, I teach courses on media preservation, professional development, and archival administration.

1:45-2:00

We’re Not So Different, You and I: Ethics in Conservation and Digital Preservation

Katie Risseeuw & Kelsey O'Connell

Abstract: The field of conservation has a code of ethics, as determined by the American Institute for Conservation. While not officially codified, digital preservation also follows similar principles. Maintaining authenticity and integrity of the object, professional responsibility, and best practices are shared values that offer engagement opportunities between these allied fields.

Bio: Katie Risseeuw is the Preservation Librarian at Northwestern University Libraries (NUL). Kelsey O'Connell is the Digital Archivist at NUL.

2:00-3:00

ALCTS Preservation Week Webinar: Densho Digital Repository: Preserving Community Memory

http://www.ala.org/alcts/confevents/upcoming/webinar/042618

3:00-3:15

Deacidification of Archival Materials: the La Follette Papers

Jeanne Drewes, Chief of the Binding and Collections Care Division.

Abstract: How does the Library of Congress preserve the paper artifact when the paper is acidic? This presentation will describe a collection currently being treated using a process to neutralize the acid in the papers of the La Follette Collection.

Bio: Jeanne Drewes is the manager for the Mass Deacidification program housed in the Preservation Research and Testing chemical lab in the Madison Building at the Library of Congress.  Currently the collection being treated is the La Follette Family Papers which range in dates from early twentieth century to mid-1980’s.

3:15-3:30

Conservation and Digitization of a National Treasure: James Madison’s Notes on the Constitutional Convention

Shelly Smith & Betsy Haude

Abstract: What role does Conservation play in preparing a national treasure for digitization? This presentation will address the preparation of James Madison’s Notes on the Constitutional Convention for digital imaging, including assessment, treatment (including documentation), and handling during scanning.

Bio: Betsy Haude is a Senior Paper Conservator in the Library of Congress’ Conservation Division, and is a member of the National Treasures team. Shelly Smith is the Head of the Book Conservation Section in the Library of Congress’ Conservation Division. She leads the teams for both National Treasures and Digitization Preparation.

3:30-3:45

Wax Cylinders: archival research to support scientific research in preservation of audio archives

Eric Monroe, Preservation Research and Testing Division.

Abstract: Wax cylinders are the first commercially successful recorded sound carriers and were introduced in 1889. The Library of Congress maintains a large collection of early recordings, some of which have been found to crack during storage. Using scientific tools and period literature, scientists at the Library have been uncovering why this occurs and how to prevent it. 

Bio: Eric Monroe, PhD. is a Supervisory Physical Scientist in the Library of Congress’ Preservation Research and Testing Division.

3:45-4:00

Digital Forensics: Preserving Born-Digital Archival Materials from Obsolete Media

Amanda May, Digital Projects Section, Preservation Reformatting Division.

Abstract: Floppies, hard drives, CDs, and more… the Library of Congress has thousands of digital storage items in need of recovery, and the Preservation Reformatting Division has the staff and equipment for the job.

Bio: Amanda Koss May is a Digital Conversion Specialist in the Preservation Reformatting Division at the Library of Congress, where she extracts and preserves data from old hard drives, floppies, and more from general and special collections.

4:00-4:15

Closing Remarks

Jacob Nadal, Director for Preservation at the Library of Congress