Blog Series: Preservation Outreach and Engagement

Project Introduction

The CARLI Preservation Committee recently launched its new term and is excited to announce a new blog series for the 2025-2026 year. The committee’s central theme is “Beyond Paper” and the group will explore preservation needs and care issues related to some of the untraditional materials that are often found in library collections to help guide and inform members in the care of non-book materials.

Last term, the Preservation Committee released its 2025 Preservation Survey, in part, to identify CARLI members’ top preservation concerns and interests. Members voiced a clear call for instruction and support in caring for the various types of non-book materials they are challenged with in their collections. From scrapbooks, audio recordings, moving pictures, textiles, photographs, to a suite of different types of digital materials, libraries across Illinois make these types of items available for research. They are interested in upping their game when it comes to the preservation and collection care of these non-book items. This year, the Preservation Committee will dedicate its blog series to giving collections care advice on these materials.

In October, watch for an article detailing the challenges of caring for scrapbooks along with pro tips and advice on how to best preserve these items. In the joint November/December issue, Preservation Committee members will focus on challenges institutions face caring for motion picture films, namely acetate and nitrate film. Later in 2026, authors will share blog posts that address issues of a range of non-traditional library materials including articles with digital preservation tips, posts that help librarians manage perennial environmental challenges that older buildings face, and an article exploring the pros and cons of working with in-house and vended preservation services. The complete schedule of topics is evolving, and the Preservation Committee is excited to address CARLI members’ top preservation interests through this series.

Also during the 2025-2026 term, the Preservation Committee looks forward to publishing the final 2025 Preservation Survey report that details preservation activities and interests at member institutions. Other upcoming outreach highlights include two “Ask a Preservation Expert” virtual office hour sessions on November 12 and May1, 1:00 p.m. and a webinar led by U. of I.’s Will Schlaack and Jessie Knoles on December 11 about the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collection project.  Between events, the Preservation Committee welcomes members to also explore its Preservation Resources page to access a growing list of links to practical preservation and collection care information along with links to the Preservation Committee’s projects from previous years. 

--Patti Gibbons, University of Chicago Library