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:

1. physical forces
2. thieves/vandals
3. fire
4. water
5. pests
6. pollutants
7. light
8. incorrect temperature
9. incorrect relative humidity
10. custodial neglect and dissociation

The American Institute for Conservation maintains a wiki page with more information on preventive conservation.