Preservation

The National Library is required by law to preserve its documents in their original form. Conservation measures are implemented to extend the life of these valuable cultural assets.

Thanks to underground storage facilities that meet conservation standards, and sturdy, durable bindings and protective packaging, the National Library is able to preserve its collections in the best possible condition. Raising user awareness and having an emergency response plan in place are also key aspects of prevention.

Optimal storage conditions, conservation and repair of books: through these measures, the National Library ensures the preservation of the original items in its collections. Between 2000 and 2014, we deacidified paper documents at risk of deterioration due to acidity. It ensures the preservation of digital originals through long-term archiving.

The National Library can create copies of original content on surrogate media. The documents most at risk from paper decomposition are newspapers.

The National Library’s collections are kept in two underground stacks. Storage capacity for physical media is guaranteed until 2032.

The National Library can offer you advice and support on preserving your own valuable documents and treasures on paper.