Preservation at the National Archives of Australia

Community Heritage Grants 2014Ian Batterham

Background

The Archives is funded by the Australian Government.The Archives Act 1983 identifies the key roles and responsibilities of the Archives, including:

• Preserving and making publicly available the archival resources of the Commonwealth

DefinitionsPreservation The protection of material by slowing down the deterioration process and/or preventing damage or loss of information. Preventive ConservationMeasures that slow down deterioration or prevent damage to collection material. Interventive ConservationThe treatment of objects, including direct manipulation of the material.

Preservation: every step of the way

Record is made

Record is used

Record is “retired”

Challenges

Issues:•Quantity of material•Diversity of material•Level of handling that records can receive•Uniqueness of records

Preventive Conservation

Interventive Conservation

Paper testing program

Research

Research

Types of damage

Mould

Tightly rolled

Types of damage

Types of damage

Damaged volumes

Types of damage

General wear and tear

Unusual items

Unusual items

Unusual items

Unusual items