Preventive conservation involves actions taken to prevent deterioration or damage of items in the Libraries' collections. These include:
- environmental monitoring
- disaster response and recovery
- education on best practices for handling and use
- reviewing exhibit materials
- risk assessment
- integrated pest management
- proper procedures for packing and transport
Within the field of conservation, there are ten recognized agents of deterioration that preventive actions address:
- physical forces
- thieves/vandals
- fire
- water
- pests
- pollutants
- light
- incorrect temperature
- incorrect relative humidity
- custodial neglect and dissociation
The American Institute for Conservation maintains a wiki page with more information on preventive conservation.
