ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 43 | February 2000
Sharing knowledge with our neighbours
Mereani Vakasisikakala from the University of the South Pacific Library, a recent visitor to the National Library of Australia
Mereani Vakasisikakala, the Pacific Collection Librarian at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Library in Suva, Fiji, was attached to the NLAs Preservation Services Branch for four weeks from 23 November to 17 December 1999.
The work attachment was funded by IFLAs Advancement of Librarianship Programme (ALP), with further assistance from the University of the South Pacific Library.
The aim of the attachment was to allow Mereani to experience and learn about library preservation management policy and practice at the NLA, with a particular emphasis on preventive preservation activities such as disaster planning, environmental control, collection housing and storage and pest management. The intention was to collect information that would assist in setting up a Preservation Program for the University of the South Pacific Library.
During the attachment, Mereani visited and worked with the Librarys special collection areas, assessing collection preservation housing and storage as well as the more general Library operational work practice of these areas. Considerable time was spent with all the operational work areas in Preservation Services. This enabled her to observe and participate in the full range of Library preservation activities including simple stabilisation treatments, reformatting processes and practice for producing preservation microform, environmental monitoring and analysis, disaster planning and preparedness activities and sound and digital preservation activities. A seminar was held with Preservation staff and Mereani to discuss and address specific preservation issues at USP Library. It was interesting and reassuring to note that common issues were faced and similar approaches taken at both institutions. Mereani also met with Building Services staff to discuss pest control, confirming the appropriateness of preventive pest control practice at USP Library.
The placement included visits to the conservation laboratories and repositories of cultural institutions around Canberra. The following institutions were included: the National Archives of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia, ScreenSound Australia and the Noel Butlin Archives. In addition, Mereani visited the University of Canberra and met with Professor Colin Pearson and Tracey Golds from the Conservation of Cultural Materials Program and with Peter Clayton from the School of Information Science to discuss the Universitys training programs in these areas.
A highlight of Mereanis program was the opportunity to attend a two-day workshop on disaster preparedness, prevention and recovery, organised by the Australian War Memorial for Canberras cultural institutions. This is a collaborative initiative of Disaster ACT (DISACT), where agencies alternate in organising disaster training for ACT cultural agencies. This collaborative approach has proven to be very effective.
Mereani would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by Colin Webb, Director, Preservation Services Branch and Lydia Preiss, Manager, Collection Preservation, of the National Library of Australia and Cheryl Jackson, from the National Archives of Australia, in organising her program. Special thanks to all staff at NLA and other cultural institutions and the University of Canberra who took time to talk to her about their work.
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: tford@nla.gov.au