Preservation FAQ
The Emory Libraries Preservation Department consists of two teams, Conservation and Media Preservation. We conduct preservation activities for all Emory Libraries collections, Pitts Theology Library, and the Hugh F. MacMillan Law Library. We also provide digitization services for Emory Center for Digital Scholarship (ECDS) and the Michael C. Carlos Museum.
For Emory Libraries, ECDS, Emory Law Library, and Pitts Theology Library, preservation activities include book and paper conservation treatments, digitization of collections, preservation of digitized and born-digital material, and description and metadata for digitized content. We also facilitate streaming video content for academic instruction. Additionally, our department conducts environmental monitoring of library collection spaces, exhibition installations, and storage areas. We maintain disaster preparedness and response plans for Emory Libraries and the Libraries Services Center (LSC).
About our department
What does the Preservation Department do?
Conservation staff provide a wide range of collection care services for all Emory Libraries, including repair, rehousing, and complex treatments of book and paper material in the circulating and special collections. Additionally, the Conservation staff provides environmental monitoring of all collection spaces, consults and collaborates on exhibition preparation, and offers emergency response support for disasters affecting library material.
Media Preservation staff provide preservation, digitization, and metadata services for Emory Libraries materials. They repair, rehouse, and perform conservation work on audiovisual materials; digitize texts, manuscripts, photographic materials, flat art, three dimensional, and audiovisual materials; and ensure that content entering the Emory Digital Repository is adequately described for accessibility and discoverability. Additionally, they facilitate streaming content for academic instruction and provide digitization and metadata consultation for digital projects and scholarly research.
What materials do you repair or digitize? Do you repair or digitize items or material for the public community?
We primarily work with items in the Emory Libraries and Carlos Museum collections. We work on non-Library materials on a case-by-case basis when needed for academic instruction or scholarly research affiliated with Emory. For personal material outside of this scope, please refer to the links under "Vendor Resources."
What type of Emory material do you repair?
Our Conservation staff conducts treatment of circulating and special collection book and paper items for Emory Libraries and Carlos Museum collections. This includes a wide range of minor to complex repair issues, as well as custom-made protective enclosures, encapsulations, damage remediation, and general collection care.
Media Preservation repairs audio, video, and film materials. This can include repairing splices or damage, rehousing items in new cassette shells, and baking magnetic media items to temporarily alleviate sticky-shed syndrome.
What type of material do you digitize?
We digitize texts, manuscripts, photographic materials, flat art, audio, video, and film materials. We also photograph three-dimensional objects.
I need help with something
How do I request an item from Emory Libraries?
Use Library Search or ArchivesSpace to find and request items. For more information, see How to Request Materials.
What are your digitization specifications for different types of material? How high a resolution can an item be digitized?
The Preservation department follows the specifications of the Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI). For format-specific details, see the Guidelines.
I want to use a video for my class. How can I get it digitized to show in the classroom or for students to watch online?
First, check to see if the video is available through Emory Libraries. Most streaming video content licensed by the Emory Libraries is searchable in Library Search. Subject librarians can assist with acquiring streaming versions of videos that you already use and titles not currently in our collection or requesting digitization, if needed. For more information, see Media Booking Services for Instructors.
I have an item (eg. book, paper, photograph, videotape, film reel, audio cassette) with mold, water damage, other physical issues, or sound and picture quality issues. What should I do? How do I take care of my items?
Organizations needing immediate disaster response and recovery information, see guides from the American Institute for Conservation (AIC), Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) (includes guides for photographs), and the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA).
For general information on caring for personal books, papers, photographs, or media items, see the National Archives and Records Administration’s Preservation resources, AIC’s Caring for Belongings, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s Preservation At Home, or the Image Permanence Institute’s FilmCare.org.
Can I see your equipment and tour your department?
For the Emory University community, the Preservation Department often hosts tours and information sessions about our work and equipment. We occasionally open these areas to the public, most often associated with broader community workshops, presentations, and similar campus events. You can also view our filmed Preservation Lab Tour.
What metadata fields do I need for my project? Are there any controlled vocabularies in my subject area that I can use? What are metadata crosswalks?
For metadata questions, please see the Metadata Guidelines and Metadata FAQ.
Vendor resources
Where can I go to find a conservator? Can you recommend a vendor to repair my personal items or digitize my personal items (videotapes, audio cassettes, photos, negatives, etc.)?
Services and suppliers of audiovisual media
Other helpful resources
Society of American Archivists Preservation Resources
AMIA Publications and Tools and General Resources
My question hasn't been answered!
Please send your question in an email to Emory Libraries Preservation listserv. This message will be delivered to our staff for the best response.