PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION - MAJOR ORIENTATI ONS, STRATEGIES AND METHODS

The article sets out the main trends, strategies and methods for preve ntive conservation of library collections. Preventive conservation is defined more as a global approach - almost a state of mind - rather th an a discipline with clearly defined boundaries. Emphasis is laid on t he necessary cooperation between the various departments within a libr ary, on the training of staff and readers and on raising awareness amo ng political authorities of conservation of the heritage. In order to reconcile the two basically contrasting tasks of preservation of docum ents and access to information, it is vital to provide libraries with sufficient financial resources for the preservation of their collectio ns.