By MARK S. ROOSA
On April 24 the Library's Preservation Directorate launched Bach to Baseball Cards, a Web publication that celebrates 200 years of preservation at the Library of Congress.
The site, www.loc.gov/preserv/bachbase contains illustrations and descriptions of some of the most important preservation treatments that have been carried out at the Library. It illustrates both the diversity of the Library's collections and the broad range of creative techniques that have been applied over the years to preserve and protect our nation's rich resources for future generations.
The historical importance of each item described in the publication is followed by a brief discussion of its preservation treatment. Accompanying thumbnail images can be expanded and printed out. Items included in the publication span the range of formats found in the Library's collections and include books, manuscripts, photographs, prints, works of art, sound recordings and moving images.
Bach to Baseball Cards was prepared jointly by staff in the Conservation Division and curators in the custodial divisions and is being issued in two online volumes. This first volume contains more than 100 entries. A second volume, to be issued this summer, will complete the publication.
Mr. Roosa is the Library's Conservation Officer.