Why have we selected it?
The preservation of documentary heritage faces complex challenges, as disasters and deterioration affect different materials in distinct ways. Recognizing that a single approach is insufficient, the International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH) developed the Guidelines for Documentary Heritage at Risk. This series was selected for its innovative and practical approach, offering a comprehensive framework that addresses both broad disaster preparedness and crucial guidance tailored to the specific characteristics of different materials.
Volume 1 focuses on establishing a sound framework for managing natural disasters, while Volume 2 delves into the specific needs of various material types. The destruction of heritage can occur in many ways, from the immediate damage caused by floods and fires to slow chemical degradation or digital obsolescence. This two-part resource addresses this diversity by providing case studies from professionals around the world who share their direct experiences in preserving collections. The importance of this series lies in its ability to transform disaster management theory into a practical and applicable guide, essential for any institution seeking to protect its holdings for future generations. As the authors underline in the foreword to both volumes: “Unfortunately, there is no single perfect plan that fits all circumstances, which means much more needs to be done to preserve Documentary Heritage to hand down to our future generation”.
What will you find in this resource?
The manuals provide detailed guidance for creating and implementing disaster management plans, structured around a three-phase cycle:
1. Preparedness and Prevention, Response and Salvage, and Recovery. The series’ strength lies in its dual approach: establishing a foundational strategy for natural disasters and then organizing specialized content according to material characteristics.
2. Volume 1: Natural Disasters
This volume lays the groundwork for a comprehensive disaster plan, offering guidance on risk assessment, prevention, and response strategies applicable to any heritage institution. The guide is divided into clear sections, each focused on a key aspect of emergency planning and illustrated with detailed case studies:
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- Minimising Damage to Documentary Heritage During Disasters: Outlines risk assessment, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery phases.
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- Top Things to Consider for Emergency Preparedness: Provides five straightforward steps for institutions of any size to begin preparing for emergencies, including risk assessment and collaboration.
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- Effective Methods to Train Staff: Explores key considerations for developing practical, task-oriented training for staff, including the use of scenario exercises.
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- Case Presentations: Features real-world examples of disaster management from heritage institutions in Jamaica, South Africa, the Iberarchivos Programme , and the National Library of Latvia.
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3. Volume 2: Material Characteristics
This volume offers specialized strategies for different types of documentary heritage, providing in-depth case studies that address the unique vulnerabilities of each format.
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- Paper/Books: Covers the conservation of crucial documents such as the Rivonia Trial Records in South Africa and manuscript conservation practices at the National Library of Greece.
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- Photography: Features a case study from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, detailing steps to assess and treat sensitive photographic materials.
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- Audiovisual/Film: Explores various scenarios, including the recovery of Kodachrome films after the 2022 Brisbane floods, the preservation of archives in Timor-Leste, and the digitization of the Jose Maceda Audio Collection in the Philippines.
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- Organic Materials: Focuses on the unique challenges of items such as Tamil palm-leaf manuscripts and wooden artifacts from Ancient Egypt, offering both traditional and modern preservation methods.
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- Digital: Examines the emerging field of “web archaeology” through the case study of De Digitale Stad (The Digital City), demonstrating how to reconstruct and preserve born-digital heritage.
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In addition to practical case studies, the manuals emphasize the importance of a thorough risk assessment as the first step in developing a formal written plan. Each chapter offers valuable lessons on how teams responded to real crises, adapting their strategies to the nature of the emergency and the materials involved, making this series an indispensable tool for contingency planning.
Screenshot of the cover of the Guidelines for Documentary Heritage at Risk – Vol. 1. Natural Disasters
Discover the Resource Here
To access the full manuals and find out more about emergency management for documentary heritage, consult the Guidelines for Documentary Heritage at Risk – Vol. 1. Natural Disasters and the Guidelines for Documentary Heritage at Risk Vol. 2: Material Characteristics, published by the International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH).
Stay tuned! See you next time with more insights.
Moises Rockembach
Editorial Manager – Online Resource of the Month
International Council on Archives
