Each year, libraries, archives, museums, and cultural institutions across the United States come together to celebrate Preservation Week, a time dedicated to promoting the care and conservation of our collective history. Established by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), Preservation Week is typically observed in the last week of April, shining a spotlight on the importance of preserving personal, family, and community collections.
Why Preservation Matters
Every object — whether a photograph, diary, rare book, film reel, or family heirloom — holds a story. These items provide insight into our cultures, values, and histories. However, many of these treasures are at risk due to factors like age, environmental damage, improper handling, and neglect. Preservation efforts help to slow deterioration, enabling future generations to access and learn from the past.
As technology evolves, so do the threats to our heritage. Digital files can become corrupted, obsolete formats may become unreadable, and physical objects remain vulnerable to natural disasters, pests, and decay. Preservation is not just about maintaining the past; it is about preparing for the future.
How Preservation Week Helps
Preservation Week raises public awareness about these challenges and offers practical solutions. Throughout the week, institutions host events such as workshops, webinars, exhibitions, and social media campaigns to educate people on how to care for their own personal collections. Topics often include:
How to store photographs and documents properly
Best practices for handling old books and textiles
Techniques for digitizing family records
Planning for disaster recovery
Understanding the basics of digital preservation
The Georgia Heritage Room of the Augusta Public Library is here to help you with any and all preservation-related questions. On Saturday, June 21st at 1:30 pm, the Georgia Room will host a special preservation program presented by Brittany Noel Corbin, curator of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club exhibit currently on display at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and the Augusta Public Library. Ms. Corbin is a doctoral student at the University of Georgia, studying fashion with a focus on history and culture.
What You Can Do
Participating in Preservation Week is easy and impactful. Here are some simple steps you can take:
Assess Your Collections: Look around your home for valuable or sentimental items that might need preservation.
Learn Best Practices: Attend a Preservation Week webinar or read a guide on proper storage techniques.
Share Knowledge: Help friends and family understand the importance of preservation.
Support Cultural Institutions: Donate to or volunteer with organizations dedicated to archival and conservation work.
Even small actions can have a lasting impact when it comes to protecting the memories and artifacts that define us.
Preservation Week is more than an annual event; it’s a call to action. By learning how to protect the objects that tell our stories, we honor the past, enrich the present, and prepare for a future where history remains alive and accessible. Whether you are caring for your grandmother’s wedding photos or supporting your local library’s preservation efforts, your contribution matters.
Among the many resources available for local history and genealogy research, the Georgia Room also has a special collections department dedicated to the preservation of historical items such as manuscripts, letters, postcards, photographs and newspapers that tell the story of Augusta’s past. Learn more about our efforts to preserve Augusta’s history by following the link below.
https://arcpls.org/about-the-georgia-heritage-room/
This Preservation Week, take the time to save your stories — and inspire others to do the same.