Who we help: Preservation Services

Hi there, I’m Krystin the Foundation Officer with the Queensland Library Foundation.

Over the coming weeks I’ll be introducing you to some of my colleagues at State Library who the Foundation works with closely. From safeguarding State collections to running traditional and digital literacy programs, the diversity of programs and projects at State Library may surprise you.

This week, we are taking you behind-the-scenes with Preservation Services.

State Library of Queensland is home to some of Queensland’s most extraordinary collections, and the teams that conserve them. Preservation Services is one of the most fascinating teams the Foundation works with, and at the forefront of many significant projects delivered with thanks to the support of State Library donors. This highly skilled team of professionals has the important task of ensuring the protection and preservation of State Library’s collections so items can be accessed and enjoyed by current and future generations. The team also offers advice, training, and services to Queensland's regional libraries, other organisations, and the community to help them preserve their own collections.

Taking care of State collections is an on-going commitment and our Preservation Services team continues to work through the disruption of COVID-19. Through the generous support of Foundation donors, they are delivering a number of significant outcomes including digitising fragile moving image collections enabled through donations to the Reel Rescue campaign, and the scientific surface analysis of seven hand coloured photographs taken by geologist and photographer Richard Daintree in the 1870s which was kick-started by community donations. You can find out more about State Library collections and ongoing projects here.

If you have a question about the care or storage of your own family collections you can visit State Library’s website and use the Ask Us portal to submit a question to Preservation Services, or check out the extensive and growing range of online information guides to help you.

Subscribe to the Foundation’s e-newsletter and stay informed of events, exhibitions, talks and the impact your donation is making to the lives of Queenslanders.

The Queensland Library Foundation is proud to support State Library for the benefit of all Queenslanders. Please consider donating to help safeguard Queensland’s heritage and culture. All donations $2 or more are tax deductible, and every dollar goes towards our projects.

Thank you for your support!

For further information, please contact:

Krystin Egan - Foundation Officer, Queensland Library Foundation

foundation@slq.qld.gov.au

slq.qld.gov.au/foundation

Image: Kelly Leahey, Senior Conservator specialising in paper-based collections and photographs