Into the Dustbin of History? The Evaluation and Preservation of Slavic Materials

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges facing area studies librarians today is preservation of collections. Area studies collections in libraries, the backbone of international studies programs for most colleges and universities in North America, are in danger. Most materials in these collections were published on acidic paper and poorly bound leaving them susceptible to rapid deterioration. Slavic collections, for example, appear to be in dire need of preservation treatment, but there is very little hard data on the scope of the problem. This research project, conducted at the University of Kansas Libraries, is the first step toward gaining a better understanding of the overall condition of Slavic collections. A survey of the Slavic holdings was conducted to provide statistical information on their physical condition. Results of the survey reveal that the condition of these collections should be cause for serious concern. However, the problems are not so great that they cannot be overcome through careful preservation planning and interlibrary cooperation.