IFLA Core Programme for Preservation and Conservation (PAC)

Programme Concept

PAC principles

• the preservation of library and archives materials is essential to the survival and development of culture and scholarship;
• the national and international interdependency exists in the preservation of library materials;
• national strategy should be guided by the principle that each country must accept responsibility for the preservation of its own imprints and for the preservation of other library and archives materials of its own civilisation and culture.

Scope

The primary role of the PAC Programme is to raise awareness: to make information and heritage professionals, governments and the public conscious of the fundamental position occupied by preservation in the management of an institution.

Using its Regional Centres, PAC aims to have a presence worldwide. It will be assisted at national, regional and international levels by cooperation with other professional organisations, institutions and NGOS as well as with IFLA's professional groups, chief among which is the Section on Preservation and Conservation.

The rapidly evolving digital technologies are presenting new challenges which are now part of the activities of the Programme.

PAC's major strategies include training, production and dissemination of information, research and participation in the development of new standards.

Cooperation

• IFLA Sections, Round Tables, Core Programmes

• ICA : International Council on Archives
  (cf ICBS)

• UNESCO
  CD-ROM on Latin America photography, Preservation workshops in Africa
  (cf IPN N° 17 - May 1998)

• Ministère de la culture: CD-ROM on Safeguarding our Documentary Heritage. Conservation preventive du patrimoine documentaire. English/French bilingual version
  http://www.culture.fr/culture/mrt.htm

• CLIR: Council on Library Information and Ressources (CPA: COmmission on Preservation and Access)
  Publications: IFLA Principles on the Care and Handling of Library Material.

• ECPA : European Commission on Preservation and Access
  Preservation Management Conference / April 99
  

• ICOM : International Council of Museums
  (cf ICBS)

• ICOMOS : International Council on Monuments and Sites
  (cf ICBS)

• ICBS - Appeal for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage in Yugoslavia

• Blue Shield Seminar on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Emergencies and Exceptional Situations

• ICBS - Working for the Protection of the World's Cultural Heritage