Library Preservation

Preservation Policy

1. Structurally sound volumes of ephemeral scholarly interest are marked as brittle books and allowed to circulate until their useful life expires.  Such volumes are identified in the catalog record to preclude further repairs.  The physical marking of the book informs library staff that the Preservation Manager and Collection Manager have examined the book and have agreed that it cannot be conserved.

2. Out-of-print volumes with enduring scholarly value are boxed and transferred to Peabody, at the discretion of the Peabody Librarian and the Collection Manager.

3. Brittle materials in the Special Collections receive appropriate rehousing, mending, deacidification, encapsulation, or other treatments, as determined by the Preservation Manager and Peabody Librarian.

4. A preservation photocopy, microform, or digital copy is created for public domain works, as needed.  Works outside the public domain are subject to applicable copyright laws.

5. A non-brittle replacement copy (reprint, new edition, microfilm, or digital) is purchased at the discretion of the Collection Manager.

6. Extra copies and obsolete or superseded editions are discarded at the discretion of the Collection Manager.