Vicki-Anne Heikell and Bronwyn Officer(August 2012)

In the podcast titled "Vicki-Anne Heikell and Bronwyn Officer - Creating Our Stories," Heikell and Officer share insights into the maintenance and preservation of personal or group archives. Recorded at the National Library of New Zealand, the discussion spans over practical ideas concerning the decade of the 2010s, specifically in advice and examples from the preservation field.

Vicki-Anne Heikell works as a field conservator, while Bronwyn Officer holds the position of senior sound conservator. Throughout the conversation, they clarify the difference between preservation and conservation. Preservation refers to a broad set of actions to prevent deterioration, such as storage, record keeping, policies regarding access, display, and disaster planning. Conservation, encapsulated within preservation, involves setting priorities for the condition of items and includes activities like repair. Restoration, however, which aims to return items to their original condition, is generally not practiced as it might erase historical information.

They also explain the distinctions between archives, libraries, and museums. Archives typically encompass material from individuals, families, or organizations, which can range from documents to textiles. Museums typically focus on the acquisition and study of items with scientific, historical, or artistic value. Libraries, on the other hand, can vary from public lending institutions to research-focused entities.

Delving into the specifics of archiving queer material, Heikell emphasizes the importance of rightful ownership and intentions behind donating material to larger institutions, highlighting the need for clear agreements before donations are made. The roles of various New Zealand organizations that accept queer-related material, such as the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand (LEGAZ) and the Charlotte Museum, are discussed as potential homes for such archives.

Heikell and Officer stress the importance of setting up an archive with a clear understanding of its purpose. Establishing control over the collection, understanding its content, and maintaining its condition are pivotal to successful archival management. They also acknowledge that archives can grow unexpectedly, and policies must adapt accordingly. The goal is to serve as memory keepers and points of reference for the future.

For preserving various media types, guidelines are outlined for proper storage, checking item conditions, and avoiding risks such as mold, insects, and environmental fluctuations. Handling practices, such as moving items with support and keeping sensitive materials housed in protective containers, are recommended for different types of collections.

The conversation also touches upon digitization and the importance of creating high-resolution preservation copies of analog materials, followed by access copies for wider distribution. They advise maintaining a robust organizational structure and metadata to support future accessibility. Regular checks on the integrity of digital files, version control, and preserving an identifying numbering system across digital and analog formats are crucial for preserving the longevity of the archives.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Bronwyn Officer Vicki-Anne Heikell

2010s, aotearoa new zealand, archives, asia pacific outgames (2011), bronwyn officer, education, history, identity, legacy, library, preservation, vicki-anne heikell, volunteer

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