Papiererhaltung contra Sekundärformen

Abstract

Prof. W. Waechter discussed in his article published 2002 Microfilming is microfilming, however not conservation >> Nicholson Baker's book Double Fold (Random House, N.Y. 2001) and the current approach of library managers concerning paper conservation. Having in mind the politically influenced behaviour of library managers in Europe we are highly interested in contributing to these discussions, especially in the case of newspapers. The major items to be agreed upon for future measures concerning newspaper conservation are the following: 1. Conservation of the original is not equal to conservation of information. 2. Mass-conservation of paper originals is necessary and possible today. 3. Due to the tremendous properties of secondary forms (longevity and accessibility) it would be possible to archive only one original newspaper nationwide and organise the availability of copies - microfilm for safety and digitised copies for access and distribution. 4. The proposed approach calls for collaborative action on part of all libraries and archives, including the political level. 5. After evaluation of the condition of the newspapers and determination of the best original in a concerted operation involving those responsible for stock at libraries and archives, that particular one original could be conserved by the current well advanced - and reversible - technologies such as mass-deacidification and stabilisation by means of paper splitting. Simultaneously, the original could be microfilmed and digitised using the highest standards available.