1. Equalizing Preservation and Security
Collections Protection
at Every Level
Brittany Turner
SAA Preservation Section, 2011 1

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 2

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 3

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 4

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?
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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!
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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.
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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?
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