In response to its mandate to preserve the biomedical
literature, the National Library of
Medicine has developed an extensive preservation program. Elements of the program
include:
- Microfilming
brittle serials and monographs
- Library binding
- Conservation and
book repair
- Preserving
audiovisuals
- Preserving
electronic formats
- Disaster
prevention and recovery
- Preservation
education
- Permanent paper
campaign
Microfilming Program
Condition surveys conducted in 1985 and 2000 indicate
that 12% of the volumes in the NLM collection are on acidic paper that has
become brittle over time. In 1986, the Library began an ambitious program of microfilming brittle
serials and monographs that are in core medical subjects. These materials are being filmed
at a rate of approximately 5,000 volumes per year. Initial priority was given to
serials indexed in Index Medicus ® and monographs that are in the
most fragile condition. At present, priority is being given to serials
listed in the Index-Catalogue of the Library of the Surgeon-General's
Office.
Because it is assumed that any microfilm produced by
NLM will become the master copy for the country, the Library attempts to
film the brittle portion of serials in as complete runs as possible. Volumes missing from the NLM
collection and needed for filming are borrowed from other libraries. Many U.S. and foreign libraries
have cooperated in this effort.
To avoid duplication of effort by other libraries, NLM
makes records for the titles it has filmed available through its online
catalog. Before deciding to
reformat their own brittle materials, libraries should search LOCATORplus
(http://locatorplus.gov/) to
determine whether microfilm is available from NLM.
Within copyright restrictions, the Library permits
purchase of microfilm copies of the titles it has filmed. For order
information, consult the NLM Fact Sheet, Microfilm
Sales Program.
Library Binding
NLM contractors prepare and bind approximately 32,000
serial and monograph volumes per year. Preservation staff work closely
with the contractors to ensure that preservation quality standards are
met.
Conservation and Book Repair
NLM has had a long-standing program for the
conservation of valuable materials in its History of Medicine Division
collection. HMD staff manage
contracts for off-site conservation services. In addition, NLM has an on-site
lab for simple repair of volumes from the general collection and
conservation of more valuable materials. Treatments include page mending
and cleaning, hinge and spine repair, tape removal, replacement of missing
pages and construction of protective enclosures.
Preserving Audiovisuals
NLM's Preservation and Collection Management Section
works with History of Medicine Division staff to identify audiovisuals
that are deteriorating or in formats that are becoming obsolete. Duplication masters and user
copies are produced and the original copies are sent to off-site cold
storage.
Preserving Electronic Formats
One of the biggest challenges libraries face today is
the need to develop strategies for preserving materials in electronic
form. The Preservation and
Collection Management Section recently surveyed computer files in the
general collection to determine the extent to which format deterioration
and obsolescence are making it difficult to retrieve the information they
contain. An even more
challenging problem is the preservation of online publications. NLM's National Center for
Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has developed PubMed Central, a digital
archive of life sciences journal literature (http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/). In addition, NLM staff have
developed a system of permanence ratings to indicate to users whether the
location, content, or availability of NLM's electronic
publications is subject to change.
A report on the rating system is available at: www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/reports/permanence.pdf. NLM continues to work with
other libraries and organizations to resolve the many complex issues
related to archiving materials in electronic form.
Disaster Prevention and Recovery
The Library has developed a comprehensive plan for
protecting the collection and salvaging materials should they become
damaged by flood or fire.
Staff have been assigned to teams and trained in collection
recovery procedures. An
extensive collection of disaster supplies and equipment is kept on
hand.
Preservation Education
NLM has issued posters, bookmarks and flyers on a
variety of preservation topics. Examples can be seen under NLM
Preservation Awareness Materials at www.nlm.nih.gov/psd/pcm/pcm.html). In addition, the Preservation and
Collection Management Section offers staff training in good preservation
practices and a reference service for general preservation questions and
disaster recovery advice (PRES@NLM.NIH.GOV) .
Permanent Paper Campaign
In 1987, the National Library of Medicine launched a
campaign to reduce the amount of acidic paper used in biomedical
publications. (See NLM Fact
Sheet Acid-Free
Paper for Biomedical Literature.) Since that time, major
changes in the papermaking industry as well as increased awareness on the
part of authors and publishers have led to significant increases in the
use of alkaline paper.
Studies conducted in 2000 showed that between 1976 and 2000, the
proportion of acidic volumes being added to the NLM collection each year
declined from 80% to 12%.
Only 1.5% of current issues of Index Medicus titles were on
acidic paper.
For
further information please contact:
Preservation and Collection
Management Section
National Library of Medicine
Rm B1E21
8600
Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20894
Phone: (301)496-8124
Fax:
(301)435-2922
Email:
PRES@NLM.NIH.GOV