NEDCC’s publications are internationally recognized as a valuable preservation resource for cultural heritage institutions and individuals. The publications help institutions preserve their collections by providing foundational information for developing a preservation plan, training for collections care, and guidance for managing digital assets.
General Preservation Topics
Assessing Preservation Needs: A Self-Survey Guide
Beth Patkus, 2003
A step-by-step guide to surveying an institution’s collections, designed for small to medium-sized institutions with limited budgets and minimal preservation knowledge.
View Online Version (Hard Copy - Out of Print)
Fundamentals of AV Preservation
The content of the Fundamentals of AV Preservation textbook was created in 2017 by AVP staff members and edited by NEDCC staff members with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, 2017.
View Online Version. Download PDFs of the textbook using the links below:
Chapter 1: Care and Handling of Audiovisual Collections
Chapter 2: Inventory and Assessment
Chapter 3: Planning, Preparing, and Implementing Reformatting Projects
Chapter 4: Managing Digital Audiovisual Collections
Chapter 5: Disaster Preparedness and Response
Preservation 101
A free textbook that accompanies NEDCC’s Preservation 101 online course and that can also be used for self-paced study, 2015. View Online Version
Preservation Education Curriculum – An Introduction to Preservation
A ready-to-use curriculum designed for Masters of Library Science Programs, 2008
Preservation Leaflets
Printable Preservation Leaflets with information on a wide variety of preservation topics and links to additional resources. The leaflets may be downloaded at no cost. The Leaflets are updated on a rolling basis. View Online Leaflets.
Preservation of Library and Archival Materials: A Manual (PLAM)
3rd edition, 1999 – Out of Print. Superseded by the NEDCC Preservation Leaflets.
View Online Leaflets
Digital Preservation
Handbook for Digital Projects: A Management Tool for Preservation and Access
Edited by Maxine K. Sitts First Edition, 2000
An easy-to-use primer on managing digital conversion projects for libraries, museums, archives, and other collection-holding institutions. View Online Version (Hard copy - Out of Print)
Manual para Proyectos Digitales: una herramienta de gestion para preservacion y acceso
Spanish translation of NEDCC’s Handbook for Digital Projects: A Management Tool for Preservation and Access. View Online Version
Digital Preservation Assessment Handbook
A handbook that provides a framework and templates for all components of a digital preservation assessment. Intended for use by cultural heritage consultants and professionals who provide preservation assessment services, this resource was launched in 2019 as one of the products of a Preservation and Access Education and Training grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. View Online Version and accompanying templates: Assessment One-Pager, Pre-Visit Questionnaire, and Assessment Report.
Digital Preservation Peer Assessment
A workbook that guides two or more institutions in a conversation about digital preservation--successes, obstacles to growth, and next steps for improved long-term access to digital collections. This resource was launched in 2019 as one of the products of a Preservation and Access Education and Training grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. View Online Version
Evaluación por pares para la preservación digital
Spanish translation of NEDCC’s Digital Preservation Peer Assessment. View Online Version
Digital Preservation Policy Template
A template that leads the user through the steps of writing an outline of a preservation policy, 2007. View Online Version
Plantilla de Politicas de Preservacion Digital NEDCC
Spanish translation of NEDCC’s Digital Preservation Policy Template. View Online Version
Digital Stewardship Questionnaire
The Questionnaire helps an institution examine the current status of its digital collections care, 2007. View Online Version
Planning for Digital Preservation: 20 Questions for Providers of Digital Storage Services
By Bernard Reilly, President, Center for Research Libraries, 2007
Questions based on Trustworthy Repositories Audit & Certification (TRAC): Criteria and Checklist, version 1.0 (http://www.crl.edu/PDF/trac.pdf), and additional metrics developed by the Center for Research Libraries for trusted digital repositories.
View Online Version
Planning for Digital Preservation: A Self-Assessment Tool
by Liz Bishoff, The Bishoff Group and Erin Rhodes, Consultant, 2007
A tool that helps institutions better understand their preservation needs and plan for digital preservation.
View Online Version
Planificación para la preservación digital: una herramienta para la autoevaluación
Spanish translation of NEDCC’s Planning for Digital Preservation: A Self-Assessment Tool. View Online Version
Project Publications
Massachusetts Connecting to Collections Statewide Preservation Survey
by Angelina Altobellis, Assessment Program Coordinator, NEDCC, 2011
In February 2009, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) was awarded a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) “Connecting to Collections” program to undertake a statewide preservation needs assessment of the Massachusetts’ cultural collections. The MBLC contracted with the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) to develop and administer a statistical survey and to analyze and report on the results. The survey received 506 responses and generated a significant amount of useful information on the preservation needs of a wide variety of collecting institutions throughout the Commonwealth. View Online Version