Preservation, Page 2

Conservation | Reformatting | Collection Maintenance | Collection Storage | Preventative strategies | Exhibitions | Education | Projects and publications 

The State Library collections contain more than:

• 580 000 books and pamphlets
• 40 000 periodical and newspaper titles
• 360 000 photographs
• 109 000 wine labels and other ephemera
• 85 000 CDs records and other AV
• 5000 hours of oral history
• 4000 metres of archival material

The State Library's collections are stored on 50 kilometres of shelves, both in the North Terrace city buildings and off-site storage facilities in the western suburbs.

The Preservation section is responsible for ensuring that collections are located and stored efficiently and effectively according to the strategies identified in a Master Storage Plan.

These strategies include shelving common sized materials and formats together, and locating the most heavily used materials on-site, with the lesser used materials off-site.

The storage system in the redeveloped State Library in the city covers the entire basement of the Spence Building.

It incorporates a number of features to offer optimum storage conditions including:

• a compactus storage system tailored to meet specific State Library needs
• air conditioning which forces air through the compactus to prevent the development of a micro-climate
• a manually geared wheel system which moves compactus shelving. It is robust, low in maintenance, and safe and easy to use.
• specialised units designed to accommodate material in a range of formats and sizes from maps and plans, to art works, films and children's toys
• a secure Rare Books Room for rare items.

 

The Preservation team undertakes environmental monitoring of collection storage areas and, jointly with the Facilities team, leads the Library's integrated pest management strategies, helping to reduce the risk of pest damage to collections.

The team is also responsible for disaster preparedness and response, as well as maintaining the disaster response equipment. The most common incidents are leaks and minor flooding.

The cleaning of items is another preventative strategy, as dust and grit cause long-term damage to library collections. The Conservation team coordinates the collection cleaning program: targeting priority areas, developing procedures, liasing with contractors, and monitoring progress.