Collection preservation - a snapshot
Collection preservation at the State Library of Queensland involves three areas:
- Conservation
- Image production
- Microfilming
Reformatting programs - image production and microfilming processes
Reproducing original materials in more robust formats such as digital images, photographic prints and negatives, microfilm and microfiche means that collection materials can still be accessed without compromising the original. Specialist image production and microfilming staff create surrogate versions from often fragile original items to ensure future preservation and access to collection material.
Scanning posters using a large format scanner for the Zootopia exhibition
Working on digital images for the Zootopia exhibition
Specialised cameras capture newspapers' contents on microfilm for future preservation and access
Two or more copies of the same newspaper may be merged to provide the best available version. Here, staff work together to merge two sets of pages.
The State Library's retrospective microfilm program involves the preservation of newspapers on microfilm. Titles and issues recently microfilmed include the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin for the period 1892-1940, the Dayboro Times & Moreton Mail 1937-1940 and 1945-1981, and the Toowoomba Citizen for 1 June 1907-14 August 1909. These titles and many more are now readily accessible in the Micrographics area on Level 3 of the State Library's South Bank building.
Illustration from the pictorial section of an issue of The Queenslander from the period 1900-1910
(Digitised as part of a pilot project investigating issues in relation to newspaper digitisation)
Services to the public
We provide commercial photographic and microfilming services as well as free advice on a range of conservation issues.
More information about our preservation activities is available in our preservation policies.
More information
If you have an enquiry, you can contact us in any of the following ways:
- Telephone +61 7 3840 7779
- Fax + 61 7 3842 9060
- Mail to Conservation Unit, Collection Preservation, PO Box 3488, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Email conservation@slq.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 15th February 2012
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