----------------------------Original message---------------------------- This message is being cross-posted on a three different lists. Please excuse the duplication (GOVDOC-L; MAPS-L; and GODIG-L). Please feel free to forward this message to any other list that you think might be interested in what I'm about to say. The ALA RBMS/GODORT/MAGERT Joint Committee on Government Documents as Rare Books (hereinafter called the Joint COmmittee ommittee) has compiled, edited, and printed its preservation packet, RARE AND VALUABLE DOCUMENTS: A RESOURCE PACKET ON IDENTIFICATION, PRESERVATION, AND SECURITY ISSUES FOR GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS COLLECTIONS (hereinafter called the Preservation Packet). There was a notice published in Administrative Notes (v.14, no.6, March 15, 1993) that described the history of the packet, its format and contents, and a publication/ distribution schedule. Like all deadlines, this one was extended. This was mentioned at the recent Depository Library Conference that was held in Rosslyn, VA and a similar note will appear in Administrative Notes (April 30, 1993). The April 30, 1993 distribution date has been moved back. Depository libraries should expect to receive the Preservation Packet sometime by the end of May/beginning of June, 1993. Right now I have 23 boxes (that's 1,420 preservation packets) stacked next to my desk. I hope to have these addressed, labeled, sealed, and in the the mail to GPO by the end of this week (4/30/93). They are being mailed to GPO via U.S. mail at library rate. So it may take awhile. Once they arrive at GPO one copy of the Preservation Packet will be placed in a shipment box for each U.S. GPO Depository Library. The other factor that comes into play on the delivery of the Preservation Packet to a depository library is the library's item number selection %. If you select a limited number of item numbers, it may be awhile before that box is filled and mailed to you. Why am I saying all this, you ask? I am saying this so people will not start calling me on April 30th (or before for that matter) wanting to know where their packet is. Please be patient. It will get to you. There are no extra copies of the Preservation Packet available. So, I won't be able to send you extr copies. However, feel free to copy the packet that you receive. Actually, we hope you will copy it and give copies to your map librarian, rare books librarian, preservation librarian, archivist, etc. The more the merrier! The Preservation Packet has been submitted to ERIC and has been accepted for inclusion in the ERIC database. That was doen in March 1993. However, it takes ERIC approximately 6 months for a document to be indexed, abstracted, and assigned an ED number. I expect it will show up in ERIC some time this Fall. As soon as I am notified, I will post a notice to these same lists. Barbara Hulyk, George Barnum, and I hope that you will find the Preservation Packet a useful addition to you you, your documents collection, and other areas and departments in your library that deal with preservation and conservation issues. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at one of the addresses listed below. One last request. Please share this information with other lists and, more importantly, with colleagues and fellow documents librarians who do not have access to the internet and e-mail. Thanks for reading through this long message. Sincerely, Jim Jim Walsh O'Neill Library Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 617-552-3354 walshop@bcvms (bitnet) [log in to unmask] (internet)