Preservation is a branch of library and information science concerned with maintaining or restoring access to artifacts, documents and records

through the study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of decay and damage.[1] It should be distinguished from conservation which refers to the treatment and repair of individual items to slow decay or restore them to a usable state.[2] Conservation is occasionally used interchangeably with preservation, particularly outside the professional literature.[3] Although preservation as a formal profession in libraries and archives dates from the twentieth century, its philosophy and practice has roots in many earlier traditions.[4] In library science, preservation is treated as an active and intentional process, as opposed to the passive sense of preservation that might be applied to paleontological or archaeological finds. The survival of these items is a matter of chance, from an information science perspective, while the preservation of them after their discovery is a matter of intentional activity. Human record-keeping arguably dates back to the cave painting boom of the upper paleolithic, some 32,000-40,000 years ago. More direct antecedents are the writing systems that developed in the 4th millennium B.C. Written record keeping and information sharing practices, along with oral tradition, sustain and transmit information from one group to another. This level of preservation has been supplemented over the last century with the professional practice of preservation and conservation in the cultural heritage community.

Environmental controls are necessary to facilitate the preservation of organic library materials and are especially important to monitor in rare and special collections. Key environmental factors to watch include temperature, relative humidity, pests, pollutants, and light exposure. In general, the lower the temperature is, the better it is for the collection. However, since books and other materials are often housed in areas with people, a compromise must be struck to accommodate human comfort. A reasonable temperature to accomplish both goals is 65-68F however, if possible, film and photography collections should be keep in a segregated area at 55F. [8] Books and other materials take up and give off moisture making them sensitive to relative humidity. Very high humidity encourages mold growth and insect infestations. Low humidity causes materials to lose their flexibility. Fluctuations in relative humidity are more damaging then a constant humidity in the middle or low range. Generally, the relative humidity should be between 30-50% with as little variation as possible, however recommendations on specific levels to maintain vary depending on the type of material, i.e. paper-based, film, etc.[9]. The Image Permanence Institute provides a downloadable calculator to assist in determining the ideal indoor temperature when taking into account the outdoor dew point. This calculator also provides information on the risk on condensation and how many days to mold based on the entered scenario.[10]

Pests, such as insects and vermin, eat and destroy paper and the adhesive that secures book bindings. Food and drink in libraries, archives, and museums can increase the attraction of pests.[11] An Integrated Pest Management system is one way to control pests in libraries. Particulate and gaseous pollutants, such as soot, ozone, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, can cause dust, soiling, and irreversible molecular damage to materials. Pollutants are exceedingly small and not easily detectable or removable. A special filtration system in the buildings HVAC is a helpful defense. Exposure to light also has a significant effect on library materials. It is not only the light visible to humans that can cause damage, but also ultraviolet light and infrared radiation. Measured in lux or the amount of lumens/m2, the generally accepted level of illumination with sensitive materials is limited to 50 lux per day. Materials receiving more lux than recommended can be placed in dark storage periodically to prolong the original appearance of the object[12]. Recent concerns about the impact of climate change on the management of cultural heritage objects as well as the historic environment[13] has prompted research efforts to investigate alternative climate control methods and strategies[14] that include the implementation of alternative climate control systems to replace or supplement traditional high-energy consuming HVAC systems as well as the introduction of passive preservation techniques[15].
One of the biggest challenges in the field of preservation today is educating a library's community, especially librarians and other staff, in the best ways to handle materials as well as the conditions in which particular materials will decay the least. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that preservation is a peripheral element of most library science curricula; indeed, there are few places where one can receive a specialized education in preservation. One of the primary degree granting institutions for library and archival preservation is the University of Texas at Austin's School of Information Science. The conservation and preservation program is offered in partnership with the Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record and trains both conservators and preservation administrators. There are a number of other preservation administration programs in the United States including the University of Michigan School of Information which specializes in digital preservation management. Recently the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has funded a number of digital curation education programs around the United States, including at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Digital curation includes the activity of digital preservation management. Other conservation programs in the United States focus on Art Conservation and are considered to be more museum focused than library focused. These programs are all part of the Association of North American Graduate Programs in the Conservation of Cultural Property (ANAGPIC).[31] The Rutgers Preservation Management Institute provides post-graduate training in preservation administration for working librarians who have already completed a Master's degree. [32] UT Austin also offers certificates of advanced study in conservation[33] and preservation to librarians who already hold their MLS.[34]

Another educational resource available to preservationists is the Northeast Document Conservation Center or NEDCC.[35] This institution was founded in 1973 as a reaction to the growing problem of paper deterioration occurring in repositories in the New England area. The Center provides institutions and organizations, as well as librarians, conservators, preservationists, and museum professionals, with help in learning proper care and procedures to better preserve the integrity of their collections. The institution provides a variety of services such as imaging, surveys and consultations, and digitation. They also assist with disaster planning. The educational opportunities it provides include provision of workshops, conferences, and specialized trainings. Additional online courses are also available. For instance, some of the workshops offered by the NEDCC include: Basic Preservation, Collections Care, Emergency Preparedness, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Identification and Care of Photographs, Basic and Intermediate Book Repair, Basic Paper Repair, Preservation of Scrapbooks, Preservation Technologies, Holdings Maintenance, Creating and Maintaining Digital Collections, Scanning Training, and Grant Writing. [36] Additionally, the NEDCC is responsible for the creation of a Preservation Education Curriculum, which has been made available online to serve as an instructional aid for introductory preservation courses taught at Library and Information Science schools.[37] Missouri river preservation and land use authority created--duties.

1. A Missouri river preservation and land use authority is created to engage in comprehensive planning for and the development and implementation of strategies designed to preserve and restore the natural beauty of the land adjacent to and the water of the Missouri river through state land acquisition. Planning and implementation activities shall be coordinated with plans and implementation activities of the department of natural resources for lands owned or acquired by the department. The authority shall be composed of a representative from each of the county conservation boards of the counties which border on the Missouri river, an elected official selected by the county board of supervisors of each of the counties which border on the Missouri river, six at- large public members, and four ex officio members. The board of supervisors of the counties which border on the Missouri river shall each appoint one of the at-large public members, who shall possess a demonstrated interest in or knowledge about natural resource conservation and protection and one of whom shall also be actively engaged in the business of farming. Interest or knowledge of an at-large member may be demonstrated by membership in an association or other organization which is involved in conservation, environmental protection, or related activities. The ex officio members of the authority shall be composed of a representative from the natural resource commission of the department of natural resources, a representative from the state department of transportation, a representative from the department of cultural affairs, and a representative from the office of attorney general. Members of the authority shall serve two- year terms. Members who are also members of a county conservation board or board of supervisors shall be reimbursed only for actual expenses incurred while performing duties of the authority. At-large members shall be reimbursed for actual expenses and shall receive a per diem as specified in section 7E.6 for their performance of duties for the authority.

2. The mission of the authority is to research, develop comprehensive plans, and implement strategies which emphasize the creation of multipurpose recreational areas that foster and accent the natural characteristics of the Missouri river and which provide for environmentally sound land and water use practices for land adjacent to the Missouri river; to designate and prioritize for purchase parcels of land which are located in areas critical for the environmental health of the Missouri river waterway; to develop plans for and to acquire parcels of land to establish a public greenbelt along the banks of the Missouri river; to develop plans for public recreational use of lands adjacent to the Missouri river, including but not limited to a public bicycle trail; and to cooperate with county and city authorities, and federal and state authorities in order to fulfill the mission of the authority.

3. The authority shall develop plans and proposals and conduct public hearings relating to the conservation, preservation, and acquisition of land adjacent to the Missouri river. In developing plans and proposals the authority shall consult with any person or organization which has interests that would be affected by the acquisition and development of Missouri river property in accordance with the mission of the authority, including but not limited to utility companies, municipalities, agricultural organizations, the corps of engineers, rural water districts, soil and water conservation districts, private water suppliers, business and industry organizations, drainage and levee district associations, benefited recreational lake districts, and any soil conservation organizations. The authority shall include a copy of any plans and proposals and shall document the results and findings of those hearings in a report or series of reports. The authority shall submit an initial report, including an outline for a proposed tenyear plan and strategies for the attainment of the goals of this section, to the general assembly by the first day of the legislative session which commences in 1993. As part of the authority's planning and coordinating effort, the authority shall consult, at least annually, with the Iowa boundary commission and shall send copies of the minutes of all meetings of the authority to the commission. Within one year of July 1, 1991, the authority shall meet with the Iowa boundary commission. Meetings with the Iowa boundary commission shall be held at a time and a place agreed to between the commission and the authority.

4. The authority shall administer the Missouri river preservation and land use fund, under section 463B.3, and shall deposit and expend moneys in the fund for the development of plans for, development of, and purchase of lands adjacent to the Missouri river and for annual payment of property taxes on any land purchased. The county treasurer shall certify the amount of taxes due to the authority. The assessed value of the property held by the authority shall be that value determined under section 427.1, subsection 18, and the authority may protest the assessed value in the manner provided by law for any property owner to protest an assessment. For purposes of chapter 257, the assessed value of any property which was acquired by the authority shall be included in the valuation base of the school district and the payments made by the authority shall be considered as property tax revenues and not as miscellaneous income. The expenditure of funds may include, but is not limited to, use of

moneys from the Missouri river preservation and land use fund to match funds from state, federal, and private resources.

5. The title to all property purchased by the authority shall be taken in the name of the state, but no land shall be acquired through condemnation proceedings and all purchases shall be from willing sellers. The authority may transfer jurisdiction over any lands the authority acquires to the department of natural resources, or may enter into agreements with the department or the appropriate county conservation board, for the management of the lands. All lands purchased shall be for public use, and not for private commercial purposes, but the authority may permit the expenditure of private funds for the improvement of land or water adjacent to or purchased by the authority. All surveys and plats of lands purchased by the authority shall be filed in the manner provided in section 461A.22. Land purchased by the authority shall be managed and policed in the manner provided under agreements between the authority and the agency responsible for management of the property, except that, subject to the restrictions contained in chapter 455B, the authority shall not be required to obtain the prior permission of the natural resource commission when using private funds to establish land or water recreational areas, and any property purchased by the authority shall not be sold without the prior notification and consent of the authority. 98. At its fifty-fourth session (2002), the Commission decided to include the topic Shared Natural Resources in its programme of work and accordingly appointed Mr. Chusie Yamada as Special Rapporteur for the topic. The General Assembly, in paragraph 2 of resolution 57/21 of 19 November 2002, took note of the Commissions decision to include the topic in its programme of work. 99. At its fifty-fifth session (2003), the commission considered the first report1 of the Special Rapporteur on the topic. In furtherance of its work on the topic the Commission also had an informal briefing by experts on groundwaters from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 100. At its fifty-sixth session (2004), the Commission considered the second report2 of the Special Rapporteur, which contained seven draft articles. The Commission established an open-ended Working Group on Transboundary Ground waters chaired by the Special Rapporteur. Further, the Commission held two informal briefings by experts

on ground waters. 101. At its fifty-seventh session (2005), the Commission considered the third report3 of the Special Rapporteur on the topic, containing a complete set of 25 draft articles on the law of transboundary aquifers. The Commission decided to establish a Working Group to review the draft articles presented by the Special Rapporteur taking into account the debate in the Commission on the topic. The Working Group reviewed and revised 8 draft articles and recommended that it be reconvened in 2006 to complete its work. 102. At its fifty-eighth session (2006), the Commission established a Working Group on Transboundary Groundwaters to complete the consideration of the draft articles submitted by the Special Rapporteur in his third report; referred 19 draft articles to the Drafting Committee; and subsequently adopted on first reading a set of draft articles on the law of transboundary aquifers, together with commentaries.4 The Commission also decided to transmit the draft articles, through the Secretary-General, to Governments for comments and observations, with the request that such comments and observations be submitted to the Secretary-General by 1 January 2008. 103. At its fifty-ninth Session, the Commission considered the fourth report by the Special Rapporteur5, which focused on the relationship between the work on transboundary aquifers and any future work on oil and gas and recommended that the