Preservation program
The City of Ottawa Archives is committed to the long-term preservation of civic records in our custody and provides guidance to City employees on protecting those records still in active use.
The Central Archives state-of-the-art facility includes a conservation lab and four climate-controlled vaults, a reference room and a gallery.
The Archives contracts Conservators to guide and assist us with our preservation program. Preservation emphasizes the prevention of damage and safety of records and looks at the collections to identify needs and priorities. We protect archival holdings by minimizing deterioration and damage to prevent the loss of information.
There are several factors to consider in preventing damage:
- supplies
- actions
- policies and procedures for environmental control
- storage
- handling,
- display & access
- transport and packing
- integrated pest management and
- emergency response.
Preventive conservation ensures protection from the agents of deterioration of a collection, such as fire, theft, water, dust, pollutants, pests, light, temperature, humidity, and adverse handling.