# preservation

> set of activities aimed at prolonging the life of a record or object in the fields of museum, library and archive

**Wikidata**: [Q830393](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q830393)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservation_(library_and_archive))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/preservation

## Summary
Preservation is the set of activities aimed at prolonging the life of records, objects, or materials in fields such as museums, libraries, and archives. It encompasses techniques like encapsulation, conditioning, and media migration to protect physical and digital items from degradation.

## Key Facts
- Preservation is a subset of library science, conservation science, and archival science.
- It includes specialized methods like silking (repairing pages with silk cloth) and encapsulation (sealing documents in plastic).
- Related to digital preservation, including media migration (copying records between physical carriers).
- Governed by standards like BS 5454 for archival preservation.
- Applied in diverse contexts, from language preservation to ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

## FAQs
### Q: What fields use preservation techniques?
A: Preservation is primarily used in museums, libraries, and archives, but also applies to digital media, biological samples (e.g., semen, ovarian tissue), and endangered languages.

### Q: What are common preservation methods?
A: Methods include encapsulation (sealing documents in plastic), conditioning (environmental control), silking (silk cloth repairs), and media migration (transferring digital data).

### Q: How does preservation differ from conservation?
A: Preservation focuses on prolonging the life of materials, while conservation often involves active restoration or repair of damaged items.

### Q: Are there standards for preservation?
A: Yes, standards like BS 5454 provide guidelines for archival preservation, ensuring consistent practices.

## Why It Matters
Preservation ensures that cultural, historical, and scientific materials remain accessible for future generations. Without it, documents, artifacts, and digital records would degrade, leading to irreversible loss of knowledge. In libraries and archives, preservation safeguards primary sources critical for research. In digital contexts, it combats obsolescence of storage media. For endangered languages and biological samples, preservation efforts prevent extinction and enable future study. The field bridges technology, science, and heritage management, playing a vital role in memory institutions worldwide.

## Notable For
- **Broad applicability**: Used in physical (books, photographs) and digital (data, magnetic tape) contexts.
- **Specialized techniques**: Includes unique methods like silking and phased preservation (prioritizing materials).
- **Interdisciplinary**: Studied in library science, archival science, and conservation science.
- **Standards compliance**: Follows frameworks like BS 5454 for consistent practices.
- **Cultural impact**: Preserves languages, artifacts, and records that define human history.

## Body
### Definition and Scope
Preservation refers to activities designed to extend the lifespan of records, objects, or materials. It is a core practice in libraries, archives, and museums, but also applies to digital media, biological samples, and linguistic heritage.

### Key Techniques
- **Encapsulation**: Sealing documents between plastic sheets to prevent physical damage.
- **Conditioning**: Placing materials in controlled environments for long-term storage.
- **Silking**: Repairing fragile pages using thin silk cloth.
- **Media Migration**: Copying digital records from obsolete storage media to modern formats.
- **Phased Preservation**: Prioritizing materials based on urgency or value.

### Related Fields
- **Library Science**: Organizes and classifies information, with preservation ensuring collection longevity.
- **Archival Science**: Focuses on maintaining the authenticity and usability of records.
- **Conservation Science**: Overlaps with preservation but often involves hands-on restoration.

### Standards and Guidelines
- **BS 5454**: A British standard for archival storage and preservation.
- **Digital Preservation**: Addresses challenges like format obsolescence and data corruption.

### Applications Beyond Traditional Archives
- **Language Preservation**: Efforts to document and revive endangered languages.
- **Biological Preservation**: Includes ovarian tissue cryopreservation and semen storage.
- **New Media Art**: Conservation of digital artworks and interactive installations.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Preservation",
  "description": "Set of activities aimed at prolonging the life of records or objects in museums, libraries, and archives.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189520",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservation_(library_and_archive)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189520"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. GF WordNet