SAA Preservation Section, 2011 1

Equalizing Preservation and Security

Collections Protection

at Every Level

Brittany Turner

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 2

Preservation • Noun.

• 1. Protecting materials by minimizing chemical and

physical deterioration and damage to minimize the loss

of information and to extend the life of cultural property.

• 2. The act of keeping from harm, injury, decay, or

destruction, especially through noninvasive treatment.

• 3. The obligation to protect records and other materials

potentially relevant to litigation and subject to discovery.

A Glossary of Archival & Records Terminology

Richard Pearce-Moses

© 2005

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 3

Security • Noun.

• Measures taken to protect materials from unauthorized

access, change, destruction, or other threats.

• Related Terms:

• Authorization

• Preservation

A Glossary of Archival & Records Terminology

Richard Pearce-Moses

© 2005

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 4

Is there a difference?

• Preservation ≥ Security

• Security is an obligation, not an “extra.”

• Preservation Perspective of Security

• Patkus, Beth Lindblom. "Collections Security: A

Preservation Perspective." Journal of Library

Administration 25.1 (1998): 67–89.

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 5

Making It Work • Different types of collections and

institutions have different needs and

Different resources

• $$$

• Staff

• Time

• Facilities

“Archival security is like fashion. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all.”

- Tim Gunn?

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 6

Making It Work • Consider the needs of your environment

• Risk Assessments

• Be Realistic

• Focus on the Highest Risks

• Insider Theft?

• Researcher Theft?

• Outsider Theft?

• Inaction/Inconsistency!

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 7

Baby Steps • Low-Cost/No-Cost (But *BIG* Impact!)

• Establish Policies & Procedures and…

• Enforce them! Be prepared to assert yourself • Identify gaps

• Document everything!!!

• Know who is accessing your collections

• Create/monitor routines

• Collaborate

• Training and support

• Plan for security improvements: think small but be mindful of future opportunities and potential setbacks.

SAA Preservation Section, 2011 8

Discussion • security responsibilities = One component of

preservation activities

• No less important than climate control, proper handling, or

conservation treatments.

• By adopting a “preservation perspective” of security, your

organizational culture will begin to prioritize holdings protection.

• Challenges

• What are your barriers to prioritizing security?

• How can they be overcome? Do they need to be overcome?

• What has worked for you? What hasn’t?