Module Information

Module Identifier
DSM2120
Module Title
Collections Care
Academic Year
2021/2022
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Report  (3000 words)  50%
Semester Assessment Presentation  (3000 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Report  (3000 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Presentation  (3000 words)  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Discuss policies and procedures for the preservation of archival materials in all formats and identify how standards can underpin preservation activities.

2. Identify risks to archival materials and develop risk-based strategies for their continuing care and possible disaster.

3. Identify and critically evaluate the characteristics which need preserving for materials in a wide range of formats, and develop strategies for their preservation which address the necessary conditions, techniques and models.

4. Demonstrate the role of buildings design, storage environments and technical implementations in preserving archival collections.

5. Summarise the specialist materials, tools and software available to support preservation activities.

Brief description

Students will be provided with the theoretical knowledge and skills required to ensure the long-term accessibility to both traditional and digiital archival material through the development and administration of appropriate preservation programmes.

Content

The module will consider the care of archival collections to ensure they remain usable over the long-term. It will consider the policies and procedures required to plan and execute preservation of archives and records in different formats. This includes the standards, models, tools and software which can be utilized to support collections care, recommended storage and environmental conditions, disaster planning and preventative conservation.

Policies, procedures and standards to support preservation
The policy environment in which preservation and conservation practitioners operate, the procedural activities required to develop a strategy and standards to govern activities.

Risk management and disaster planning
Identifying and managing environmental and organisational risk to collections and ways of mitigating risks and preparing for disaster.

Preservation strategies
The activities required to ensure the management of archival materials, the strategies available to practitioners and the provision for resources and technology to enable this.

Dealing with formats and media
An exploration of the particular methodologies required to ensure long-term access to specialist formats and media.

Archives buildings and design
The architectural considerations to ensure effective control, storage and public access to custodial collections.

Significant properties, metadata and representation information
The identification of the significant properties to preserve in archival materials, and the documentation of activities and processes through the creation of specialist metadata and the collection of relevant representation information.

Materials, tools and software to support preservation
Specialist materials, tools and software to support preservation acivities.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Data analysis, structuring and sorting.
Communication There will be a requirement to discuss and collaborate with members of the class. Written communication will be assessed.
Improving own Learning and Performance Use of professional sources and documentation will foster student awareness of available learning resources and improve critical and evaluatory skills.
Information Technology IT skills are integral to coursework and presentation of assignments, along with computer based practical exercises.
Personal Development and Career planning ​The module provides an academic baseline and essential skills for information professionals.
Problem solving Assignment work and practical activities will utilise professional scenarios in which strategies for dealing with particular issues and problems need to be formulated.
Research skills Assignment preparation will require the identification and location of relevant academic and professional literature, and professional best practice.
Subject Specific Skills The planning and delivery of preservation strategies for different media.
Team work This will be developed through activities within the delivery of the module.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7