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This report, based on visits to Vietnamese libraries and archives between 1987 and 1997, examines the largely unexplored corpus of Vietnamese textual resources in research institutions and libraries there and elsewhere, the associated problems of bibliographic control, and issues of preservation. The following topics are addressed: the history of collections, including decentralized control in the colonial period, dislocation, and contestation and destruction of records; bibliographic control and the Vietnam Union Catalog Project; and preservation, including the physical condition of repositories in Vietnam, conservation imperatives, preservation microfilming activities, and international cooperation. Conclusions and recommendations focus on training, national preservation planning, reformatting, conservation, book production techniques, and legal requirements. A list of Vietnamese institutions and glossary are appended. (AEF)

The German Research Association (DFG) is actively involved in preservation of research materials; it takes the view that in preservation, the enormous potential of digitization for access should be combined with the stability of microfilm for long-term storage. A working group was convened to investigate the technical state of digitization of microfilm and the changing compatibilities of microforms and digital conversion forms. This report documents the state of development and offers recommendations to serve as technical and organizational guidelines for filming and conversion projects (particularly those in the public domain). Chapters in this report are: (1) Should Endangered Books and Archives Be Filmed or Digitized?; (2) Requirements for Film Quality and Film Organization with Reference to the Option of Film Digitization; (3) Recommendations for the Digitization of Microfilm; (4) Microfilm and Digital Storage Formats as Compatible Media; (5) Digitizing from the Original; and (6) Cooperation and Exchange of Information; and (7) Suggestions for Further Reading. (AEF)

This report explores the suitability of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) as a framework for building, managing, and providing access to digital libraries, with special emphasis on preservation and access issues. SGML is an international standard (ISO 8879) designed to promote text interchange. It is used to define markup languages, which can then encode the logical structure and content of any so-defined document. The connection between SGML and the traditional concerns of preservation and access may not be immediately apparent, but the use of descriptive markup tools such as SGML is crucial to the quality and long-term accessibility of digitized materials. Beginning with a general exploration of digital formats for preservation and access, the report provides a staged technical tutorial on the features and uses of SGML. The tutorial covers SGML and related standards, SGML Document Type Definitions in current use, and related projects now under development. A tiered metadata model is described that could incorporate SGML along with other standards to facilitate discovery and retrieval of digital documents. Endnotes and a bibliography provide further resources. Appendices include: a discussion of practical concerns related to the uses of SGML in conversion and authoring projects, descriptions of markup format and SGML tools, and a vendor's look at cost metrics. The report concludes that SGML meets current preservation and access requirements for digital libraries and that SGML solves the widest range of archival database problems today: SGML is a standard; it is non-proprietary and platform-independent; and it allows rich, full access to content-based digital documents. The SGML framework should be seriously considered when planning digital library projects. (Author)

This report provides an update of the possibilities and limitations of currently available mass deacidification methods, focusing on the major developments in research and application of the main operational systems. This study is intended primarily to support the development of a well-considered preservation policy by librarians and archivists, with a focus on the practical implications of mass deacidification rather than the technical details of the deacidification process. The study provides a brief history of the development of the technical process, a condensed description of the treatment principle, an overview of available research and test results, indicating the main advantages and disadvantages of the process, and an inventory of actual applications for five mass deacidification systems: (1) "Battelle"; (2) "Bookkeeper"; (3) "DEZ"; (4) "FMC"; and (5) "Wei T'o." Several other initiatives are also described, involving large-scale rather than mass treatment technologies, and essentially combining deacidification with strengthening of paper. The main findings are discussed within the framework of a critical evaluation of the current possibilities and limitations of mass deacidification in general. A list of contacts is provided. (Contains 86 references.) (Author/SWC)

In Russia today, substantial political, economic, and social changes directly affect the preservation efforts of libraries and archives. Prepared by the Deputy Director General of the M. I. Rudomino All-Russia State Library for Foreign Literature in Moscow, this report presents a distinctly Russian perspective on the ways in which libraries and archives are attempting to adapt to widespread changes while seeking to maintain their services and introduce new technologies, all with decreasing financial resources. Russian libraries require financial support in addition to verbal support in order to put into action the plans that already exist for preserving Russia's national heritage. This report provides an insider's viewpoint of where preservation efforts stand in Russia. The report covers the following topics: (1) Background--Libraries Under the Soviet Regime, and Preservation Problems; (2) A New Political Environment and its Impact on Preservation--Library Laws for Critical Needs, and Coordinating Functions; (3) The National Preservation Program: Myth or Reality?; (4) Cooperation: National and International Aspects--First Efforts, Other Microfilm Projects, and Microfilm Storage Facilities; (5) Preservation Challenges--Raising Awareness, Management, Preservation Centers, Limitations of Digital Technology, Permanent Paper, and Training; and (6) Closing Remarks. (Author/SWC)

The 21-member Task Force on Archiving of Digital Information was formed in December 1994 and spent a year studying what is needed to make digital libraries stable, accessible, and valid. Their final report is divided into the following sections: (1) "Introduction," which examines the fragility of cultural memory in a digital age and the limits of digital technology; (2) "The Challenge of Archiving Digital Information," a discussion of the obsolescence of certain digital media, migration of digital information to other hardware/software configurations or generations, legal and institutional issues, and the need for deep infrastructure; (3) "Information Objects in the Digital Landscape," which examines the issue of integrity of digital information, and stakeholder interests in that question; (4) "Archival Roles and Responsibilities," about the operating environment, migration strategies, and managing costs and finances; and (5) "Summary and Recommendations." One of the major findings of the study was that a process of certification was needed to create a climate of trust in this field of endeavor. The future needs a sufficient number of people who can be trusted to go to great lengths to store, migrate, and provide access to digital collections. A series of pilot projects and support structures are recommended. Appendices include copies of the charge of the task force and of a detailed analysis of a cost model. (Contains 75 references.) (BEW)

The Commission on Preservation and Access was established to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and organizations in order to ensure the preservation of published and documentary records and to provide enhanced access to scholarly information. The Council on Library Resources was established to look toward the future on behalf of libraries, address problems experienced by libraries, and identify innovative solutions, by promoting research, organizing conferences, issuing publications, and managing collaborative projects to bring about significant change. The two organizations merged in 1996 and together work to provide equitable and enduring access to information. The annual report describes the following: (1) the organization, support, and administrative merger of the Commission and the Council; (2) digital library projects; (3) the economics of information; (4) the development of leaders for the future; (5) preservation initiatives which involve new partnerships and cooperation from new specialties; (6) the international program to promote preservation awareness around the globe and establish collaborative projects to improve the accessibility of research materials to scholars everywhere; (7) communications and publications that inform, advocate, and facilitate action in support of the organizations' programs; and (8) collaborations of the College Libraries Committee and the Preservation Managers Council. An appendix provides a listing of publications and reports, grants and contracts, committees and task forces, boards and staff, and separate 1996 financial statements for the two organizations, with comparative totals for 1995. (SWC)

A new method was developed by the Image Permanence Institute for monitoring the effects of dynamic environmental conditions on organic materials in order to make it easier to manage the preservation of library and archives collections. This new approach to preservation management applies to the many types of scholarly resources for which research and academic institutions are responsible. The Time-Weighted Preservation Index (TWPI) provides a new way to measure and quantify how temperature and humidity changes affect the preservation quality of storage environments for paper, photographic, and magnetic tape collections, and any other type of organic material. The concept is illustrated with examples and explanations are given on how relatively small changes in storage conditions can result in significant improvements in the useful life of library and archives collections. Plans for the Preservation Environment Monitor are also described. Appendices provide information on the following: forms of deterioration in organic collection materials, deterioration mechanisms and test methods; specific origins of the preservation index (PI) model and how the PI model compares with other published models; and temperature and RH equilibration in TWPI analysis. (Contains 39 references.) (AEF)

The study of papyri has been significantly limited, and because of their fragile and fragmentary condition, papyri pose significant preservation and research challenges. This report explores the use of digitization to overcome these difficulties. The Advanced Papyrological Information System (APIS) established a committee charged with studying imaging and other current technological developments and establishing standards for the field. An APIS contract with the Commission on Preservation and Access supported this study of the imaging component of the planned system that would answer the following questions: (1) Is electronic imaging now capable of serving as the main means of capturing the images of papyri and similar objects for research access and for preservation?; (2) What objectives must be met in such imaging?; (3) What technical standards should be established to accomplish those objectives and preserve the interchangeability and permanence of data?; (4) What are the limits of present technology, the controls and safeguards needed to ensure data quality and integrity, and the means of preventing obsolescence of the product? and (5) How well can currently available equipment satisfy the standards and objectives? This report relates the purpose and methods of the APIS study, defines archival and delivered images, discusses ways and means for capturing physical attributes of papyri and the preferred methods of capture, details technical standards and specifications, and ends with a brief discussion of quality control, migration, and refreshment issues. A list of participants in the Conference on Digital Imaging of Papyri (University of Michigan, March 3-5, 1994) is provided. (Contains 13 references.) (MAS)

The information in this report is condensed from the presentations and conversations, both formal and informal, that occurred during the 60th meeting of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). About 1,500 librarians attended, representing Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. Training for preservation administrators and preservation technicians was identified as a high priority need in Latin America. Because of the need for training, Latin American librarians were eager for current preservation literature. Maintenance and storage environments were also priority concerns; however, the breakdown of acidic papers was scarcely mentioned. Biological pests are perceived as a greater hazard in tropical environments. Of secondary priority, the conference participants recognized reformatting and bibliographic control, connectivity through new technologies, and opportunities for creative projects. (SLD)

The Commission on Preservation and Access was established to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary records and to provide enhanced access to scholarly information. This annual report describes the following: (1) the organization of the Commission, support, and the 1995 initiatives; (2) the Brittle Books Program managed by the National Endowment for the Humanities; (3) digital preservation technology; (4) scholarly involvement; (5) the international program that brings together countries and institutions from around the world in collaborative preservation and access ventures; (6) preservation science research; (7) scholarly advisory committees concerned with providing advice on specific agenda and institutional initiatives; and (8) communication to promote the preservation and access agenda. An appendix provides a listing of publications and reports, committees and task forces and board of directors and staff. Financial statements for 1995 containing comparative totals for 1994, and an independent auditors' report are also included. (AEF)

Preservation efforts for an increasingly digitally oriented future have turned to advanced and improved methods of preservation on microfilm, which has a life expectancy of more than 500 years when properly prepared, stored, and managed, and can support a wide range of digital access systems. Computer controlled cameras can provide significantly higher resolution than cameras previously used for microfilming materials. High resolution microfilm can be easily scanned into digital formats, retains more resolution than current scanning technology can capture, and precludes a dependence upon a fast changing digital environment. Another critical factor for easier and higher quality scanning is narrow film density range. In addition, continuous tone filming (CTF) process successfully captures continuous tone images of photographs, negatives, prints, and heavily illustrated materials and adheres to preservation standards. Vendors of preservation filming services have focused recent service enhancements on reducing the cost of putting material on film. However, the preservation reformatting goal of every library, archive, museum and historical society needs to be to prepare preservation microfilm for the digital present and future. To simply reformat endangered materials into a form resistant to scanning or one that complicates scanning is a serious disservice to scholars and researchers of the future. (Author/SWC)

Intended to stimulate discussion rather than present solutions, this report summarizes how digital technology applies to preservation problems beyond the preservation of print materials. Specifically it describes the problems new kinds of media such as audio and videotape and computer disks pose to librarians and archivists in terms of long-term storage, the varieties of physical format, and the short life of the reading devices. It is suggested that, since the machines to read specific types of tapes and disks become unavailable even before the materials themselves deteriorate, digital preservation depends upon copying rather than the survival of the physical media. New media formats are then discussed both as a problem and as a solution, and the types of formats available in digital form are considered, including audio, video, images of pages, gray scale or color images, text, and numerical data. How to do conversion is then addressed, and issues involved in maintaining computer-based archives are considered. Problems posed by copyright rules are discussed, and four steps that can be taken by librarians and archivists to deal with preservation in the new technological context are suggested. The economic implications of digital preservation efforts are discussed, and the report concludes with a message for librarians in the digital world--(1) preservation means copying and this must be budgeted as a cost; (2) much technical knowledge is involved so cooperation is important; (3) coordinated computer-based archives should be developed, research conducted on conversion technology, and standards developed; and (4) librarians should coordinate with others having the same problems and looking for the same solutions. A list of computer-based archives currently in operation is appended. (ALF)

Based on a survey previously developed and pretested by the American Association of Law Libraries to gather information about the practices and use of standards by the producers of first generation microfilm, this survey was implemented by the Research Libraries Group, Inc., under contract to the Commission on Preservation and Access. The intent of the survey is to describe the state of preservation microfilming in English-speaking countries, primarily North America and the United Kingdom, by quantifying the methods of production, storage, and availability of microforms. Four types of microfilm producers were targeted: learned societies and professional associations, commercial micropublishers, educational institutions, and government agencies. The survey questions were organized into six categories: (1) general information; (2) microform production and quality control; (3) storage of camera masters; (4) storage containers and enclosures; (5) inspection of stored film; and (6) micropublishing history (e.g., business acquisitions, mergers). Results in each category are described in detail, and conclusions and recommendations based on the these findings are summarized. The latter are concerned with standards of production; the practice of acquiring microform "masters"; inspection programs for stored microfilm; training of staff; and quality assurance programs. It is noted that a copy of the full report of the survey, which includes a directory of micropublishers, is available for sale from the Commission. (ALF)

This report summarizes visits by a group appointed by the Library Resources Panel of the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People's Republic of China to libraries, archives, and other institutions in China from September 19 to October 12, 1991. The objective of the visits was to explore the feasibility of a project to enhance the quality of and access to select materials in China. Summaries of the visits to the following institutions are provided: (1) Sichuan University Library, Chengdu; (2) Sichuan Provincial Library; (3) Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences; (4) Chinese Academy of Sciences (Academic Sinica), Chengdu; (5) Sichuan Provincial Archives; (6) Chongqing University Library; (7) Chongqing Municipal Archives; (8) Chongqing Municipal Library; (9) Wuhan Municipal Library; (10) Wuhan University Library, Wuhan; (11) Fudan University, Shanghai; (12) Shanghai Municipal Library (Shanghai Public Library); (13) Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS); (14) East China Normal University, Shanghai; (15) National Library, Beijing; (16) The China National Microfilming Center; (17) Chinese Academy of Sciences; and (18) Peking University Library. It was concluded that two major factors must be considered when working with Chinese institutions on cooperative projects involving new technology: (1) the highly centralized organization of academic institutions, including libraries; and (2) the unavailability and high expense of equipment. (MAB)

The Archivo General de Indias is operating a massive project to preserve and make accessible the contents of the 45 million documents and 7,000 maps and blueprints comprising the written heritage of Spain's 400 years in power in the Americas. The current objective is to scan about 10 percent of the archive (or about 8 million images) in preparation for the 1992 Seville World's Fair and the Columbus quincentenary. The archive was established by Carlos III in 1785 to collect in one place all documents associated with the Spanish colonization of the Americas, and documents date from the 15th through the 19th centuries, inclusive. It is expected that the King of Spain, who is very interested in the project, will officially open the "electronic archive" at the beginning of the quincentenary celebrations. This report provides information on the progress of the project; support being provided by the Ministry of Culture, IBM Spain, the Foundation Areces, and the Archivo itself; the bibliographic database; selection criteria; and the components of the system, i.e., an image database, a bibliographic database, and a management database linked together by an IBM token-ring local area network (LAN). The scanning of images and workstation access are also described. The record structure of the bibliographic database and examples of forms completed by archivists are appended. (Author/MAB)

The Commission on Preservation and Access was established in 1986 to foster and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats and provide enhanced access to scholarly information. This annual report describes the following activities: (1) operations, staffing, support, and 1991-1992 initiatives; (2) fostering global cooperation to coordinate international sharing of preserved materials; (3) consideration of the potential of new preservation technologies; (4) the scholarly advisory committees' advice to the commission on preservation priorities in their particular fields; (5) the brittle books effort, through which the commission works with the National Endowment for the Humanities to save an estimated 320 million crumbling books; (6) encouraging the integration of archives into preservation efforts; (7) promotion of a clear, visionary, yet realistic preservation and access agenda; (8) a series of recommendations on professional education needs; and (9) exploration of the feasibility of using digital technology to enhance access to out-of-print books. Lists of the commission's publications, committees and task forces, board of directors, and staff are appended, along with the organization's financial statement. (KRN)

This final report of the Review and Assessment Committee reviews the 5-year history of the Commission on Preservation and Access, a private, nonprofit organization that works through existing institutions and groups to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats, and to provide enhanced access to these records. The first two of four sections in this report present an assessment of progress in preservation in the nation over the past 5 years, a discussion of the continuing need for preservation activities, and the major issues of the future of preservation. The third section reviews and assesses the role of the commission, with particular attention to the identification of those areas of preservation in which the commission can be most effective in promoting the interests of the national library and archival community. The fourth section presents 20 recommendations for directions the commission should take in the future. (MAB)

This annual report describes the activities of the Commission on Preservation and Access, a private, nonprofit organization that works through existing institutions and groups to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats, and to provide enhanced access to these records. The first of 11 sections, the introduction to this report, highlights a multifaceted initative undertaken by the preservation community under the leadership of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Office of Preservation to preserve over three million brittle documents over a 20-year period. In the second section, a special report entitled "The Agony of Choice: Strategies for Preservation and Scholarship" (Henry W. Riecken), outlines a variety of preservation strategies and insights. The remaining sections focus on: (1) the organization, support, and 1990-1991 initiatives of the commission; (2) technical assessment; (3) the International Project; (4) librarian and archivist education; (5) archival preservation; (6) the Brittle Books Program; (7) scientific research and improvement of materials; (8) institutional programs; and (9) the dissemination of information by the commission to preservation audiences. Appended materials include a list of the commission's reports and publications for the fiscal year; lists of the members of commission committees, task forces, and the Board of Directors and staff; and the commission's audited financial statements. (MAB)

This report examines regional and/or state cooperative preservation programs and related activities. The major part of the report is given over to case studies that present a synopsis of the key structural and program elements of cooperative preservation initiatives. These case studies include the: Office of Library and Archival Materials Preservation (Connecticut); Los Angeles Preservation Network (LAPNET); Nebraska Documents Preservation Advisory Council (NDPAC); Preservation of Acetate-Based Audio Visual Materials (New York); Oklahoma Preservation Initiative; and Pittsburgh Regional Library Center (PRLC) Preservation Service. Information is also presented about three newly organized cooperative programs: (1) North Carolina Preservation Consortium (NCPC); (2) Associated Library Emergency Response Team (ALERT); and (3) AMIGOS Preservation Service. Additional information provided includes a description of the National Conference on the Development of Statewide Preservation Programs, the names and addresses of cooperative preservation service providers, examples of models of cooperation, and a list of states involved in preservation activity. Concluding the report is a selective bibliography on cooperative preservation and a series of preservation-related quotations. (MAB)

From the earliest discussions of the nationwide preservation challenge, it has been clear that neither time nor financial resources would permit the salvaging of all the books at risk. As a consequence, selection strategies are of paramount concern. To provide the scholarly perspective for these essential deliberations, the Commission on Preservation and Access has charged the Committee on Modern Language and Literature with the task of determining how scholars in this particular field use library materials in study and research, the types or genres of books and journals that are likely to remain of greatest importance and of least importance, and which strategies might make the selection-for-preservation process more effective for the needs of future scholars. This report, which marks the culmination of 18 months of such study by the committee, presents summaries of the types of preservation issues that were faced and the basic principles, recommendations, and actions which emerged from the committee's discussions. (MAB)

The Commission on Preservation and Access sought to increase its knowledge of Latin American microfilms produced and available outside of Latin America itself by studying Latin Americanist microfilming activity in the United States. The immediate goal of this study was to minimize unnecessary Latin American filming duplication. This report summarizes the current state of this type of microfilming activity in the United States, and, to a lesser degree, in other world areas. After briefly reviewing the historical context of microfilm production and its bibliographic control, the report points out subject and format areas in which filming has been particularly extensive. It also suggests strengths and weaknesses of filming efforts to date and indicates the principal institutional and commercial sources of Latin Americanist microfilm masters. The five appendices present the following information: (1) list of the major microform sets of Latin Americanist emphasis; (2) summary results of sample surveys concerning preservation information; (3) text of the questionnaire and the survey responses; (4) the Princeton cataloging record for a collection of ephemeral materials from the Research Libraries Information Network; and (5) a list of recent Latin Americanist preservation microfilming projects funded by grants. A list of scholarly and historical collections that have been preserved concludes the document. Each entry contains a brief description of the preserved collection, the name and location of the institution that received the grant funds for preservation, a shortened name of the granting agency and the date of grant. Further information about funding sources is also included. (MAB)

This annual report describes the activities of the Commission on Preservation and Access, a private, nonprofit organization that works through existing institutions and groups to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats, and to provide enhanced access to these records. The first of 12 sections, the introduction to this report highlights a multifaceted initiative undertaken by the preservation community under the leadership of the National Endowment for the Humanities' (NEH) Office of Preservation to preserve over three million brittle documents over a 20-year period. In the second section, a special report by the Technology Assessment Advisory Committee (TAAC) outlines the preparation of a series of analytic and conceptual papers that will explore options for reformatting preservation copy and the rapidly developing telecommunications technologies. The remaining sections focus on: (1) the organization, support, and 1989-90 initiatives of the Commission; (2) archival preservation; (3) preservation research; (4) librarian and archivist education; (5) the Brittle Books Program; (6) the selection-for-preservation process; (7) the International Project; (8) institutional programs; (9) the collaboration of the Commission with other preservation-related programs; and (10) the dissemination of information by the Commission to preservation audiences. Appended materials include a list of the Commission's reports and publications for the fiscal year; lists of the members of Commission committees, task forces, and the Board of Directors and staff; and the Commission's audited financial statements. (MAB)

The deterioration of printed materials is a problem which is plaguing libraries worldwide. Preservation of these millions of volumes is a daunting task--many of the materials are so brittle that the lightest touch may damage them irrevocably. This paper explores the issues of maintaining preservation efficiency without infringing upon copyright laws. Six major sections explore these issues: (1) Background (the cause and magnitude of deterioration and the creation of the Commission of Preservation and Access in 1984); (2) The U.S. Copyright Scheme (the extent of public domain, copyright status of a work, the rights of and limitations on copyright owners); (3) Reprise--Applying the Act to the Brittle Books Preservation Program; (4) What Have Other Organizations Done about Copyright? (the Library of Congress, Research Libraries Group, National Library of Medicine, and University Microfilms); (5) A Review of Several Possible Solutions (negotiated agreements with publishers, reliance on Fair Use, amendment of the Copyright Act, collective licensing, internal royalty payment fund, creation of quasi-governmental corporation); and (6) Legislative or Other Follow-Up Action (decisions to be made, discussion and agreements among library groups, discussion with publishing community, and discussion with congressional staff and the Copyright Office. A list of the publishing organizations participating in the Copyright Clearance Center's Annual Authorizations Service as of January 1990 is appended. (214 footnotes) (MAB)

The rapid growth and distribution of scholarly research in the middle and late twentieth century, the limited supply of old books and other paper-based materials, and the deterioration of items printed on acidic paper since the mid-1800s have meant that many libraries lack suitable copies of printed sources that their users would like to read. For some time, libraries have converted books, journals, and newspapers to forms that are more stable, easier and cheaper to copy, and more compact. The most important such form has been microfilm, which is considered a safe, durable, and inexpensive preservation option. Digital imagery is now seen as a viable alternative that offers long-term promise, and is rapidly becoming more accessible to libraries. This report compares digital and microform imagery and emphasizes that making either kind of copy is preferable to leaving acidic paper to decay. Topics addressed include: (1) preservation alternatives, including chemical deacidification, microform, digital imagery, and ASCII (non-image); (2) storage considerations--i.e., magnetic disk, optical WORM (write-once-read-many) disk, digital videotape, digital audiotape, conventional magnetic tape, CD-ROM, magnetic-optical erasable disk, and digital paper; (3) conversion considerations; and (4) transmission considerations. It is concluded that, because microfilm to digital image conversion is going to be relatively straightforward, and the primary cost of either microfilming or digital scanning is in selecting the book, handling it, and turning the pages, librarians should use either method as they can manage, expecting to convert to digital form over the next decade. (SD)

This report provides technical and scientific information useful for planning a mass deacidification program and choosing mass treatment processes to preserve library and archival paper-based collections. Aimed at institutions investigating mass deacidification as a preservation alternative, the document explains technical and other related factors that decision makers need to consider, as well as a rationale for considering them. The most conservative path to decision making is advocated, with maintaining the safety of the collections given the highest priority. Basic background information about mass deacidification processes is then offered, and reasons for their development are explored. Ways in which mass deacidification differs from single-item treatment are discussed together with the particular challenges of choosing mass processes. Major emphasis is placed on in-depth analyses of six technical evaluation factors: (1) effectiveness of deacidification procedures; (2) unwanted changes in materials; (3) process engineering; (4) extra benefits from specific processes; (5) toxicity; and (6) environmental impact. Other evaluation issues outlined include unit treatment costs, book and document security, logistical considerations, long-term vendor performance and contracting, observation of facility operation, and liability. Brief explanations of organizational and planning considerations that are of primary importance to the total mass deacidification effort are appended. (SD)

Translated from its original German because of the great interest in mass deacidification in the United States, this report summarizes a substantial study of deacidification techniques conducted for the West German Library by the Battelle Institute. It begins with a summary of the findings of the study, which is followed by discussions of: (1) The Problem of "Acidic Books"; (2) The Development of Paper Production; (3) Aging Processes of Paper; (4) Approaches to Solutions (transfer onto microfilm and preservation in the original form); (5) Preservation of Large Numbers of Books through Mass Deacidification Procedures (the American diethyl zinc (DEZ) process, the Wei T'o magnesium carbonate process, the French magnesium methyl carbonate process, and others); and (6) Prospects for the Implementation of Mass Deacidification in the Federal Republic of Germany. Information on the availability of the full report in German is included. (8 references) (SD)

The International Project of the Commission on Preservation and Access was begun in June 1988 to explore the feasibility of creating an international database of preserved materials. Its main goals are to: (1) determine the extent to which preservation records exist in other countries; (2) identify the difficulties in converting records to machine-readable format and entering those records into a common database; (3) facilitate agreement on the level of bibliographic detail needed to exchange records; and (4) determine how to proceed to create a shared database capacity. This interim report on the International Project includes narrative reports on visits to five libraries and other organizations identified for the pilot project in Germany and France: the Deutsche Bibliothek (Frankfort), the Deutsches Bibliotheksinstitut (Berlin), Stadt und Universitatsbibliothek (Frankfort), the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and the Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris). Information provided for each site visited includes a brief history of that institution; the names, backgrounds, and interests of people with whom the International Project representative met; synopses of their conversations (i.e., about the particular institution, about other matters relating to international resource sharing, preservation techniques and advances in library technology, and about the International Project); and the representative's general impressions of the visit. (SD)

This annual report describes the activities of the Commission on Preservation and Access, a private, nonprofit organization that works through existing institutions and groups to foster, develop, and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats, and to provide enhanced access to these records. This report highlights the International Project, the commission's initial pilot project which began in June of 1988 and consists of an exploratory study with the national libraries of Great Britain, France, West Germany, East Germany, Austria, and Venezuela to determine the extent to which preservation records exist in each country; to identify the difficulties of converting those records to machine-readable form and of entering them into a common database; to decide on the level of bibliographic detail needed to exchange records easily; and to determine the best way to proceed in creating a shared database capacity. Information is also provided on the organization and governance of the commission; the nationwide Brittle Books Program; institutional initiatives; communication linkages; selection criteria for materials to be preserved; new technologies; copyright implications of copying deteriorating materials; and supporting activities. Lists of directors, committees, and staff involved with the commission are appended, as well as a list of commission and related publications. An audited financial statement is also included. (SD)

This document presents an overview of the Canadian national preservation program. It is divided into three sections: (1) Federal Initiatives, which explores activities at the National Library of Canada, the National Archives of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions (CIHM), and the Canadian Conservation Institute; (2) Cooperative, Decentralized Initiatives including preservation councils, advisory committees, task forces, and projects; and (3) Provincial and Local Initiatives, including ones at the University of Toronto Library, McMaster University, Ontario Public Libraries, and the National Library of Quebec. Teaching and training and digital libraries are also covered. (Contains 16 references.) (BEW)

The future of digital imagery has emerged as one of the central concerns of professionals in many fields, yet only a handful of art historians have taken advantage of the profession's unique expertise in the reading and interpretation of images. Art historians need to participate in scholarship defining the roles and uses of digital imagery, rather than leaving the discussions to computer specialists and information managers. The potential values of computer images for the fields of art education and art history are discussed, including: (1) public availability of massive numbers of images; (2) greater quality and fidelity; (3) easier and faster access; and (4) permanence. All of these assets are explored in terms of new opportunities they present for art history students and the burdens they may ease for art history teachers. (Contains 17 references.) (BEW)

This report provides results of the first phase of a project to identify acceptable preservation and digital access techniques for dealing with oversize, color images associated with text. The goal of Phase I was to provide a preservation-quality photographic archival copy, a digital version for online access, and paper printouts. Five maps from brittle volumes were scanned, along with single-frame color microfiche of the maps, and 4"x 5" color transparencies. Printouts were made from many of the digital images. The report concentrates primarily on resolution and display issues relevant to modern printed maps, which consists of text superimposed on images made up of a relatively small range of colors without subtleties of shading. The report points out that image quality for both capture and display involves many factors that are not always easy to evaluate separately. They include: characteristics of the photographic intermediaries and how they were produced; scanning and display resolution; compression; storage; display hardware; display software; and network transmission limitations. It is concluded that evaluation of the digital files and the highest quality printouts shows that fine details can be captured successfully from paper original, microfiche, and transparency. For the purposes of creating an archival-quality storage medium combined with the potential for increasingly sophisticated electronic presentation of such materials, the project has been successful. However, at this time the ability to capture information outstrips capacity for easy access and display with average equipment. Therefore, the immediate online use of high resolution files is somewhat limited. Appendices include a description of vendor products, a chart of effective resolution (approximate), and the bibliographic record for the project. (Contains nine references.) (MAS)

With almost every country in the world doing costly microfilming to preserve the world's printed heritage, it is essential to find a way by which these vast stores of information are not knowingly duplicated. A significant contribution to this effort has been the establishment of the European Register of Microform Masters (EROMM), a shared international standard database of microform master records for worldwide access. This report details EROMM's history, the circumstances of its founding, how it operates, and the role it will play in preserving crucial documents. Topics include: preservation; coordinated effort; the project phase (pilot database); EROMM as a permanent service; administration; installing the EROMM database; access; and EROMM systems. (MAS)