Member Community: Preservation & Reformatting Section (PARS)

My ALCTS Experience: Shelby Strommer

ALA Annual Conference, Columns, Conference News, My ALCTS Experience

In June 2019 I had the opportunity to attend the ALA Annual Conference as a recipient of the Jan Merrill-Oldham Development Grant. In recognition of Jan Merrill-Oldham’s commitment to preservation education and mentorship, the grant provides early-career preservation practitioners an opportunity to further their professional development by attending the Annual Conference. I was honored to receive this award and thrilled to have the opportunity to find ideas and inspiration to help me serve as an effective steward of our library collections and an effective mentor to my student employees.

Continue reading

PARS Forum: Collections Security

ALA Annual Conference, Conference News

The ALCTS Preservation & Reformatting Section hosted a forum on collections security during the 2019 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Presenters from two institutions, Ohio University and Yale University, described how they balance their responsibility to provide access to special collections, simultaneously providing a welcoming and inclusive environment to researchers while minimizing security risks to rare and unique materials.

Continue reading

Preservation in Action 2019: A Day-Long Event Whose Impact Will Endure for Years to Come

ALA Annual Conference, Conference News

The ALA Annual 2019 conference scheduler billed the event as “Preservation in Action – Volunteers Wanted!” Each year this popular program brings together experienced archives workers with enthusiastic volunteers (no experience required) during a day-long project to help preserve local cultural heritage before the ALA Annual Conference. When I saw that the day would include training on care and handling, as well as hands-on rehousing activities, I knew I had to sign up. I was an early conference registrant, so I didn’t think the event would have filled up, but “SOLD OUT!” popped up on my screen. Luckily for me, a space opened up, and I was thrilled to roll up my sleeves.

Continue reading