This assignment was for the class Preservation and Conservation of Heritage Materials. I did a preservation assessment of the Leather Archives & Museum in Chicago, IL. It was a good opportunity to learn about preservation in the context of an actual institution, which aligns with PLO 1. It also aligns with PLO 4, by looking at the systems and technologies used for preservation in this institutions. I spent time looking through the archive and museum and talking to staff members. I learned about making decisions about preservation and conservation while considering the realities of staffing, funding, and physical space. I also got to spend a significant amount of time with the leather preservation specialist and learned a lot about the work they do. This assignment correlates very closely with competency III.F.3 for special collections professionals, which is focused on preservation assessment.
Implements preservation assessment activities within a collection development and management program; identifies the preservation and conservation needs of collection materials and establishes treatment priorities.
Competencies for Special Collections Professionals
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III.F.3
Apply the field’s foundational theories, principles, values, ethics, and skills to everyday practice.
PLO 1
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Evaluate systems and technologies relevant to a particular information context.
PLO 4
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