Preservation Strategies

As with most research libraries, preservation operations strategy at Cornell falls into two very broad categories:
1. The regular speedy processing of new, unbound acquisitions on receipts, the binding of periodicals through a commercial binder, the timely repair of books damaged by reader use, and the facsimile photocopy replacement of recently circulated books found to have brittle paper. University funds are used for this category.
2. The preservation of entire collections known to be of national importance but developed to serve strong local academic programs. Collections are reformatted, usually through microfilm but also utilizing various combinations including digital imaging, and conservation treatment projects are carried out. A combination of outside (usually grant) and University funding is used for the category.

Storage Strategy

Most of the nineteen Cornell University research libraries have reached a practical space limit, and since 1978, lesser-used books have been moved to an Annex New URL:  http://annex.library.cornell.edu/ facility in the University orchards. In 1996, a high-density storage facility was constructed, and the large-scale storage of books begun. A new high-density storage facility is now in the planning stage and should be completed by 2005. As the libraries add approximately 140,000 catalogued items to the collection every year, a similar number of lesser-used books must be selected for storage and moved on a continuing basis. No conservation treatment is given to items identified for storage, and unbound issues of periodicals are placed in boards and partially shrink wrapped. However, if a book is recalled from the annex for reader use, it is automatically repaired if it is in poor condition.

Please note also the following department policies:

Conservation Policy
Reformatting Policy

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