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In Focus
Building Compromises: Assessing the Options for Protecting Collections
During Construction
Libraries and archives undergo construction and renovation at some point
during their existence. This always raises the question of how to best
protect the collections. The issues are rarely as simple as deciding
what will keep the dust off the books. Different types of media require
different types and levels of protection. Collections may need to be
accessible during the construction work and different construction
activities pose different threats and operate on different timelines.
Many conservators and preservation administrators have dealt with the
collections centered issues in protecting the materials. This article
turns to the context for that protection and gives some guidance on
building aware approached protection during construction. Being alert to
the context in which we develop our protection plans ensures that the
protection strategy is thorough and resilient enough to do its job while
also adaptable to the inevitable compromises that come with
construction.
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