California is divided into five mega-regions in which the planning for Regional Library Networks will begin. The five, together, will constitute the statewide California Library Network. Since these regions are so large, much of the cooperative preservation activity will be undertaken by regional preservation groups, e.g. LAPNet, IELDRN. The California Preservation Program will assist in developing such regional preservation groups where none exist.
The California Preservation Program will encourage larger agencies within the five mega-regions to take the lead in cooperative preservation planning. Smaller institutions will be encouraged to form relationships with larger regional institutions to develop mutual assistance.
Cooperation is desirable because it is anticipated that preservation expertise will continue to be in short supply. Cooperative preservation actions, e.g., the purchasing of disaster response supplies, developing training events, and contracting for expert advice, can minimize costs.
Goal. Identify and prioritize important archival and library materials in information agencies in need of preservation
Rationale. Resources locally, regionally and statewide are not likely to be sufficient to address preservation needs of all materials Consequently materials with both significant value and clear and immediate preservation needs must be identified as the highest Priority for preservation action.
Description. The statewide preservation program will require each institution to identify and justify materials that are important and need to be preserved and will offer assistance in conducting preservation needs assessments to this end. Institution should provide sufficient bibliographic access to their collections to facilitate the selection and justification of important materials to be preserved. Good bibliographic access will permit institutions with related materials to cooperate on preservation projects and to build on preservation work that has already been done.
1. Individual institutions will enable staff or consultants to identify important materials in need of preservation:
2. Institutions will ensure that bibliographic access to their collections is as complete and current as possible:
3. Preservation priorities will be established by needs assessments:
Calipr or an equivalent preservation needs assessment tool will be used to determine priorities
4. Items preserved must meet local, regional, and/or statewide priorities:
Funds for this initiative are in-kind and local, although grants for the creation and/or retrospective conversion of bibliographic records will be sought from outside sources.
Goal. Build resources adequate to initiate and maintain preservation activities.
Rationale. Information agencies have the primary responsibility for the preservation of their collections. Their operating budgets must include allocations for preservation functions. Neither State nor national resources will be sufficient to do more than assist agencies in meeting their preservation needs. It is a regional responsibility to develop additional sources of funding.
Participation in the California Preservation Program at the regional and local level will require evidence of institutional commitment to preservation.
Description. The statewide preservation plan charges institutions to take primary responsibility for securing funding to identify and preserve their important materials. This may require staff to educate their institutional resource managers about the collection's preservation needs and to re-allocate funds from the organizational budget. Allocation of local funds for this work is needed, but that alone will not suffice. Since some of these materials are important for resource sharing, State funding may also be considered to accomplish the task.
Responsibility for initiating applications to the preservation funding program will rest with institutions and regional preservation groups. Local institutions and regional preservation groups should support the preservation component of the California Library Network legislation in order to secure funding for the statewide preservation program. In addition, institutions and regional preservation groups should advocate funding for the preservation needs of their collections by working with local government organizations, media and related institutions and businesses to raise awareness in order to raise funds.
1. Institutions will allocate resources for preservation in their budgets:
2. Regional preservation groups and/or Regional Library Networks will encourage regional and local funding commitments to assist with mutual preservation needs:
Local and in-kind contributions will be the major source of support for this initiative, although outside grant funds and contributions will also be sought. The five or more Regional Library Networks which, together, will comprise the California Library Network, will provide a forum for cooperation, collaboration, and the support of regional preservation groups. They will also be eligible applicants for program grant funds.
Other funds should be sought from multiple sources for local and regional cooperative services and preservation projects.
Goal. Develop knowledgeable staff in information agencies sufficient to address preservation needs. Agencies have a responsibility to make provision for staff preservation education.
Rationale. Agency staff are responsible for preservation of the collections. Without at least a basic understanding of preservation, important materials could be lost through ignorance and neglect.
Description. Even with the establishment of a centralized clearinghouse at the Preservation Information Center, regional preservation groups will play a major role in providing preservation education and training, especially coordinating among member institutions and with other regional and professional organizations. An example of this model is central development of training materials and programs distributed to regional preservation groups or individual institutions for implementation. Institutions must take local responsibility for participation in education and training programs and opportunities for their administrators, staff, and patrons, by coordinating with regional preservation groups and with the Preservation Information Center.
1. Institutions will support continuing education opportunities in preservation for staff:
2. Local institutions and regional preservation groups will assist the Preservation Information Center in distributing information to institutions to meet preservation needs.
Funds for this goal are in-kind, representing the commitment of individual institutions and groups to support preservation activities.