The library is a social institution rich in materials for the history of culture and civilization. One of its functions is to ensure preservation of materials and dissemination of information as per the objective of the establishment. It is well known that different information is recorded in various mediums. -such as paper, photographs, films, discs, tapes, etc. It can be seen that the quality of each material gradually deteriorates over time. But which ones get damaged sooner and which ones get damaged more slowly.

Various preservation processes of library materials are discussed below:

1) Environmental control: Temperature and relative humidity are considered as one of the factors for the destruction of library benefits. Therefore, controlling the temperature and relative humidity inside the library is essential to keep them safe. International organizations, especially IFLA, in their “Principles for the Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials,” have prescribed the temperature for libraries for the maintenance of library materials. According to them, the desired temperature should be 18 to 20 centigrade and the desired relative humidity should be 50% to 60%. Air-conditioning system Four activities are considered essential for successful implementation:

Ventilation
Filtration
Temperature control
Humidity control

The following simple precautions can be taken when high temperature and relative humidity are considered to cause destruction of library materials.

A) To ensure good ventilation of library branches regularly by keeping open and opening windows;

B) Control and/or reduce humidity by installing humidity-proof dehumidifiers in library areas severely affected by humidity;

C) Using the insulation method to protect the collection from excessive heat and placing blinds so that direct sunlight does not fall on the books.

D) To ensure that dampness does not affect the library building in any way during monsoon and to keep the library safe from dampness.

Controlling temperature and relative humidity to establish healthy storage systems for library collections is considered a “Top Priority” in modern library maintenance activities.

2) Lighting: Lighting levels and proper lighting in libraries are as important as temperature control. Lighting in the library area will be adequate but not intense. The higher the light intensity in the library, the greater the chemical reaction. As a result, there is a risk of destruction of library materials, especially ultraviolet light is very harmful for library materials. Implementing light levels is essential for establishing library lighting control. Providing regular lighting, installing low light points in the book area, especially avoiding the use of fluorescent lights and changing them if there are fluorescent lights, and using low watt bulbs as a special step.

3) Air quality: Another important issue in library conservation programs. Discussion is especially essential for urban and industrial libraries. Air pollution occurs in industrial areas due to various reasons. These include sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen sulfide; these are highly produced by oxidation and various chemical processes. In industrial libraries, these processes seriously affect and damage library materials. To keep the materials in the cities and industrial areas safe from this air pollution, preventive measures should be ensured so that no such reaction can be caused in any way. Installing filters on doors, windows, ventilation, and airflow paths so that no contamination can pass through the filter and harm the library overall. The air must pass through the filter to the library, but it will be clean air.

4) Housekeeping: “Housekeeping” is an important activity in library conservation programs. The program includes regular cleaning of library materials, including dusting, and keeping the entire library especially clean, from tables and chairs to all equipment. Keeping it clean increases the life of the material and keeps it safe from damage. Shows interest in keeping the library clean. Not only does the material last longer, but the user is also protected from dust. Those who clean the books and documents should be properly trained. Merely cleaning the dust does not complete the cleaning program; in fact,, a vacuum cleaner should be used for this to keep the library clean. It is necessary to keep a regular check on housekeeping activities to keep them running at all times.

5) Handling: Careful usage is very important to extend the life of the book. A staff or a user who moves/uses the book should take care not to damage the book. This objective can be achieved and facilitated if the library organizes occasional training programs to inform all concerned about the use and care of books.

6) Security: Ensuring the security of libraries and library materials is one of the most important aspects of library preservation programs. Fire, water, and theft are primarily considered as part of the security program. If special attention is paid to the fittings that are used in the library building, the fire will be reduced to a great extent if these tests are done occasionally and many changes are made. Smoking is not allowed in the library as it can damage the library for safety reasons. Attention and regular maintenance of all sources that water may come from, such as water pipes, air conditioning water, and bathroom water pipes, can protect the library from water damage. Stopping plagiarism is a preventative measure in library security programs. Book theft and the cutting of book pages seriously damage the library collection. Therefore, most libraries implement an electronic or magnetic system at the gate to deal with these activities very cautiously.

Here are several key reasons why preservation in libraries is important:

1. Protection of Cultural Heritage

Safeguarding Historical Records: Libraries often house rare books, manuscripts, maps, and documents that represent cultural and historical heritage. Preservation efforts ensure that these materials, which are often fragile or irreplaceable, are protected from damage or decay.
Continuity of Knowledge: Many of the works in libraries contain intellectual legacies from different periods of history. Preserving them ensures that future generations can access the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of people from the past.

2. Ensuring Access to Information

Longevity of Resources: Through preservation, libraries can extend the life of printed books, periodicals, and other physical media that would otherwise degrade due to factors such as paper acidity, binding decay, or environmental conditions. This ensures that information is accessible for longer periods of time.
Digital Preservation: With the advent of digital technology, many libraries are also preserving digital content (e.g., e-books, research data, online journals). Digital preservation ensures that these resources remain accessible even as technology evolves.

3. Support for Research and Education

Maintaining Primary Sources: Preservation allows researchers to access original, authentic materials for academic study. Primary sources, such as historical documents or first-edition texts, are invaluable for scholarship, and their preservation is essential for ongoing academic inquiry.
Educational Value: Libraries are crucial educational resources for students, scholars, and the public. Preserved collections provide diverse materials that enhance learning opportunities across many fields.

4. Guarding Against Loss and Destruction

Disaster Preparedness: Libraries are vulnerable to various types of disasters, including natural disasters (floods, fires), environmental threats (mold, pests), and even human factors (theft, vandalism). Preservation initiatives often include measures to prevent or mitigate such risks, ensuring that collections are not lost to unforeseen events.
Digital Backup: For digital collections, preservation involves creating multiple backups and using formats that will remain usable over time to prevent data loss due to hardware failure or software obsolescence.

5. Ethical Responsibility

Stewardship of Knowledge: Libraries are entrusted with the ethical responsibility of preserving the collective knowledge of society. This stewardship extends beyond local communities, often involving rare or unique works that have global significance.
Free Access to Information: By preserving resources, libraries help ensure that knowledge and information are freely available to the public. This aligns with the core mission of libraries: to promote equitable access to education and information for all.

6. Adapting to Changing Technology

Digitization and Preservation of Formats: As technology evolves, libraries are often tasked with digitizing older materials (such as books, photos, microfilm) to preserve them for future generations. However, they also need to preserve digital resources by migrating them to updated formats or systems to ensure continued access.
Archiving Born-Digital Materials: Many contemporary resources are created in digital formats, which can be more vulnerable to rapid technological changes. Libraries play a role in ensuring that these born-digital materials (such as websites, emails, or digital media) are properly archived for future access.

7. Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

Preserving Languages: Libraries often preserve books, manuscripts, and recordings in various languages, including endangered ones. Preserving these materials is essential to maintaining linguistic diversity and cultural understanding.
Documentation of Minority Cultures: Libraries also play a key role in preserving materials that document the histories, cultures, and traditions of minority groups. This helps to ensure that the stories of these communities are not lost and remain accessible for future generations.

8. Economic Considerations

Cost Efficiency: Preserving materials extends their useful life, reducing the need for expensive replacements. It is often far more economical to invest in preservation efforts than to try to replace lost or damaged materials, especially when dealing with rare or out-of-print works.
Investment in Future Access: Preservation is an investment in ensuring that future users will have access to the same wealth of information, literature, and resources that are available today.

Preservation in libraries is critically important because libraries serve as repositories of knowledge, history, and culture. The preservation efforts in libraries ensure that valuable information, resources, and materials are safeguarded for future generations.