Preservation is not always the focus of today's library education. Many library schools are focusing on the technology aspects of information science, leaving some library activities behind. When looking through the listings provided by ALCTS in their Preservation Education Directory, the majority of library and information schools only have a a course or two dedicated to preservation and a few courses that touch on preservation. While GSLIS at UIUC has a dedicated Preservation course, it is not unlike many of the library and information science schools accredited by the American Library Association.
GSLIS seems, at first glance, to only have one dedicated preservation course, Preservation of Information Resources. However, eighteen courses in the course catalog mention preservation, conservation, archives, or rare books. Only five were offered this semester, only two of which preservation or archives was the focus; ten are offered in the spring, with two having a main focus on preservation. Preservation is integrated into the curriculum, even if it is not the entire focus of numerous courses.
The University of Texas at Austin, on the other hand, happens to have a focus on preservation and conservation. The School of Information program at Texas lists over twenty-five courses dedicated to preservation and conservation. To get an idea of how often they are offered, thirteen were offered this fall and twelve are scheduled to be offered in the spring. The UT course descriptions page lists not only introductory courses, but also classes on digital preservation, conservation, laboratory work and fieldwork. The number of courses allows for specializations, for example, one class focuses on photography and cinema archives.
Students who want more preservation experience than their schools can offer can gain some experience through other means. Workshops, such as the Book Arts Workshop, this past October at UIUC: Organization and Preservation of Your Family Treasures or workshops offered by ALCTS can provide some specialized information and experience. It is also possible to do an assistantship, practicum or volunteer in a local conservation lab, archive, or museum. Student groups and professional organizations, such as Society of American Archivists or ALCTS, can also offer possibilities to meet others in the field and to discuss mutual interests.
In what ways does your school spend time on preservation, either through courses or other opportunities? Is it enough for your purposes? What types of opportunities would you like to see more widely available? What opportunities are there in your area (e.g. volunteering, assistantships, workshops)?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
ALCTS's Digiblog
The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) has created a web log to discuss digital preservation; Digiblog: The ACLTS Blog was created to discuss controversial issues in digital preservation that will be addressed at the ALCTS Midwinter Symposium. The symposium is part of the ALA Midwinter Conference in Seattle in January 2007 and is entitled Definitely Digital: An Exploration of the Future of Knowledge on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of ALCTS.
As libraries "go digital" ALCTS seeks to examine the changed in services, collections, staffing, scholarship, and communication. The blog purposefully highlights controversial statements to incite discussion and deliberation of topics before the symposium and for the panelists to discuss at the symposium. The first controversial statement mentions preservation specifically, discussing the costs of digitization, and assuming that means digital preservation only an option for large universities.
While the entire blog is not about digital preservation, per se, it is about a change in the landscape which preservationists will have to understand and cope with. As our larger society values digital, or distrusts it as the case may be, preservationists will need to determine how to cope with the idea of "digital preservation" or with items that are born digital. For example, the second controversial statement is about how digital forms are so varied that they will change collection development, acquisition and cataloging patterns beyond recognition. While this may not on the surface seem to relate to preservation, any change in the choices made in the materials brought into the library or how they are accessed will affect preservation decisions as well. The largest consideration perhaps is whether or not the materials are owned by the library can impact whether we have the ability (e.g. copyright, etc.) to preserve them the way we want to. However, other handling can impact preservation, for example, different cataloging for digital can affect access and also the ability to assess preservation needs.
Take a look at the Digiblog.
As libraries "go digital" ALCTS seeks to examine the changed in services, collections, staffing, scholarship, and communication. The blog purposefully highlights controversial statements to incite discussion and deliberation of topics before the symposium and for the panelists to discuss at the symposium. The first controversial statement mentions preservation specifically, discussing the costs of digitization, and assuming that means digital preservation only an option for large universities.
While the entire blog is not about digital preservation, per se, it is about a change in the landscape which preservationists will have to understand and cope with. As our larger society values digital, or distrusts it as the case may be, preservationists will need to determine how to cope with the idea of "digital preservation" or with items that are born digital. For example, the second controversial statement is about how digital forms are so varied that they will change collection development, acquisition and cataloging patterns beyond recognition. While this may not on the surface seem to relate to preservation, any change in the choices made in the materials brought into the library or how they are accessed will affect preservation decisions as well. The largest consideration perhaps is whether or not the materials are owned by the library can impact whether we have the ability (e.g. copyright, etc.) to preserve them the way we want to. However, other handling can impact preservation, for example, different cataloging for digital can affect access and also the ability to assess preservation needs.
Take a look at the Digiblog.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Stradivarius Instruments at the U of I
Four Stradivarius instruments, some of the most prized musical instruments in the world, are visiting the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this month. About 650 of the famed Stradivarius instruments survive, four of which are currently on display in Krannert Art Museum and Kinkaed Pavilion (KAM).
The four visiting instruments -- the Greffuhle Violin (1709), Ole Bull Violin (1687), Axelrod Viola (1695), and Maryleborn cello (1688) -- are on loan from the Smithsonian; they were all designed by Antonio Stradivari, of Cremonia, Italy, who has influenced violin-making for over 250 years. While he was famous in his time, it was in the late 1700s and 1800s that his instruments became prized for their sound quality and gained popularity among virtuosos. In fact, the instruments tend to be named after famous performers who owned and played them. There is still much mystery around the design of the instruments and they have been the subject of chemical and physical investigations to determine how Stradivari created such masterpieces.
Besides being on display in the museum, there were performances at KAM and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Some may be surprised and shocked that instruments over 300 years old, with such a rich history, are allowed to be removed from secure cases, let alone played. However, others consider periodic performances to be a type of "preservation in action." By playing and listening to these instruments, we are preserving not just the artifact itself, but the Stradivarius sound -- ephemeral and unique.
A brief introduction of the instruments at the KAM performance revealed that they have had some major repairs over the years, including neck replacement. The instruments have also been restrung with metal strings, forgoing their original material. There is no way to know how similar they sound to their younger 17th century days; it is known that the sound quality has changed with repairs to the instruments, however, they are still considered among the most vibrant in the world.
If you missed it, hear the KAM concert on WILL 90.9 FM on Sunday, November 26th, 2006 at 7:06 p.m.
How do you feel about the changes/repairs to these instruments over the years and that they are still occasionally played? What is the balance between hearing the music and saving the instruments from the stress of use? Would a sound recording be a sufficient alternative?
Sources
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. "Smithsonian Chamber Players." Marquee Chamber Music Series. Performance Announcement.
http://www.krannertcenter.com/performances/details.asp?elementID=20937
La France, Robert and Scott W. Schwartz. "A Quartet of Ornamented String
Instruments by Antonio Stradivari" in the program for Stradivarius Concert at the Krannert Center entitled "Smithsonian Chamber Players" http://www.krannertcenter.com/shared/uploads/21621_smithsonian_prgm_cond.pdf
Lynn, Andrea. Famed Stradivari instruments coming to U. of I. for display and performances. News Bureau: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign News Index. http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/06/1011music.html
Smithsonian. Stradivarius Violins. http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/stradv.htm
Image from Getty Images. Image# 57443053. http://creative.gettyimages.com/
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Welcome to Beginning Preservation
Beginning Preservation is a forum for those interested in preservation and conservation. It is intended for sharing information, discussing ideas, and expressing opinions about different aspects of preservation. It is specifically a place for those beginning preservation efforts, starting to learn about preservation, or amateurs to have a place to exchange information and ideas.
The blog was created as part of a class project for the class Preserving Information Resources in the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was intended as a starting point to stimulate discussion, connect a community of people who are concerned about preservation, and build an awareness of different aspects of preservation.
Comments and discussion are encouraged!
The blog was created as part of a class project for the class Preserving Information Resources in the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was intended as a starting point to stimulate discussion, connect a community of people who are concerned about preservation, and build an awareness of different aspects of preservation.
Comments and discussion are encouraged!