In my Special Libraries class this semester we visited the State Library (not to be confused with the Nebraska Library Commission). The space and collections really are neat- there are law books that go back for centuries, secret passages, and beautiful architecture and artwork. The librarian there talked about how her policy is to keep everything, period. She indicated that yes, eventually she will run out of room, but didn’t say what happens next. She doesn’t trust digitization as a method for preservation, either, based on the fact that she heard that CD’s only last 10-20 years. (I won’t go into that one)
In the discussion we had online afterwards, most of my classmates applauded her tenacity in keeping everything. I was one of the few that questioned how long such a policy is sustainable. It’s not that I want to digitize everything and throw it out, but I think that sometimes decisions need to be made on what’s important to keep.
Of course, there’s a lot I don’t know about the situation- like how many other copies of these books exist. In a small, specialized library there’s often no one else even to ask, so what’s a librarian to do? Better to keep everything than risk making a wrong decision about what to throw away. I don’t envy that librarian’s position- faced with a shrinking budget and people that question the value of the library, she has to make decisions that may affect the future of the library.
I thought of this tonight when I read this:
Prelinger Library Blog: Society of American Archivists decides to nuke its listserv archives
Oh, the irony. I’m sure there will be an outcry from a lot of people over this (download them quick! at least they gave you notice!) but I am interested in the fact that the Society for American Archivists have made a decision that no, everything is NOT worth saving. And it’s not just anything, it’s part of their own past. They didn’t rush in, they considered, weighed the options, and decided against keeping the archives. Essentially, this puts the burden elsewhere- if someone else things the archives are worthwhile, they’ll need to act quick.
A lot of talk about digitization ignores the actual cost of it. Not only the cost right now- the cost over years and year of redundant systems. We’re running into the same “save everything” mentality, thinking we’ll be saved by ever cheaper memory. But the truth is, everything can’t be saved. there’s just too much being created. How do we decide? Who gets to decide?
I know I’m not qualified. Honestly, I don’t know that I ever will be qualified- the job may have to fall to someone smarter (and much more decisive) than me. One thing is clear- the decision will have to be made. And whoever makes it runs the risk of being villianized for a long, long time.