BS+5454+2000

I have selected to review the reference tool BS 5454 2000 for use in the Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre (RAHC). I have chosen this particular tool as it is the recognised standard for the storage and exhibition of archival documents. I have evaluated this reference tool in accordance with the criteria set out in Cassell and Hiremath's text, //Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction // (Cassell and Hiremath, 2011, p.341). The BS 5454 2000 can be purchased as a PDF document for £130 online however a licensed copy of this document has been made freely available to access on the internet through []

This document is intended to provide extensive recommendations for the storing of archives and the exhibition of them. The resource covers a range of areas and is intended to assist archivists, curators, librarians, designers, engineers and other interested parties involved in the preservation of archives. This will prove to be a very effective reference guide for the Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre (RAHC) in assisting them to meet with accreditation standards and to properly care for and store archives. It will be especially helpful to the RAHC with regards to our proposed genealogical section for the centre, as it sets out guidelines on how to store and exhibit photograph collections. The users of the collection may also find this an interesting tool as it will help them to understand how records are cared for and it will show that the RAHC are committed to providing excellent standards of practice.

This reference tool provides a high quality of information on the subject of archives preservation. It is the British Standard for care of archives and is widely recognised by experts in the field as the benchmark to adhere to. There is a vast range of relevant information included with regards to precision in the storing of materials, standards of environmental control, exercising caution in the exhibition of items and so on. The BS 5454 2000 was entrusted by the Technical Committee IDT/2, Information and documentation, to Subcommittee IDT/2/9, Document presentation, and represents the following organisations:

British Computer Society British Library British Museum British Records Association Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Conservation Centre, Camberwell College of Arts Institute of Paper Conservation London College of Printing Museums & Galleries Commission Public Record Office Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts Royal Institute of British Architects <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">Society of Archivists <span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (Information and Documentation Assembly, 2000)

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">It is evident from the preparation of this document that it is a very comprehensive resource and it’s clear that a lot of background work was conducted before putting this guideline together, which adds to its credibility as a reliable reference tool for the RAHC.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">The content of the reference tool is accurate and reliable although it has not been updated since its publication in 2000. There is no replacement standard per se at present and this resource is still regarded as the correct up-to-date standard for housing archives. According to bsigroup.com there is another guideline in the pipeline which has not been fully developed yet, but on researching this it appears that it will be an extension of the current resource coupled with another standard that is being newly developed i.e. the PAS 198. On reading the draft document of the PAS 198, it appears to have a broader scope as it is focused on environmental conditions for cultural collections. The draft which is freely available online does not appear to be as intrinsic when compared with its likely predecessor BS 5454 2000. However, the merging of the two guidelines is probable to prove to be most useful. The RAHC can continue to use the BS 5454 2000 and if they wish they can download the free draft of the PAS 198 from [|http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/assets/PAS%20198%20(draft%202%200)%202011-05-31%20FOR%20PUBLIC%20COMMENT.pdf] If the RAHC wish they may purchase the new guideline when it becomes available.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">This electronic resource of the BS 5454 2000 is very user friendly and easy to navigate through. It really is just an online version of a print document. It includes a contents page that sets out the page numbers for each section which means a user can go directly to the area of interest without searching the full piece.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">The typeface of the text is clear and relevant headings are provided throughout the document. There is a definitions section included at the beginning of the document, which explains the different terms used in the piece. This will help the RAHC to understand what is required in the different areas covered in this guide.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">The free online version of the BS 5454 2000 will be the best option for the RAHC as they have a very small budget available and this will help to keep their costs down. It delivers recommendations that are necessary for the RAHC to be aware of for their genealogy service. This document provides advice for the RAHC on how to care for the photographs entrusted to them by the people of Rothwell and the surrounding area. The BS 5454 2000 recommends that master copies are made of the original photographic material and used to reproduce any further copies in order to preserve and prolong the existence of the original.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">If the RAHC wish to use display cases to exhibit the original photographs, the BS 5454 2000 lays out recommendations on the type of case that is best used to prevent any damage to these archives. Information is also given on the most effective ways to store these materials as they are highly sensitive and susceptible to changes in temperature and relative humidity. The BS 5454 2000 is an excellent reference tool for the RAHC to include in their genealogy service, because it provides relevant data on caring for their collection and preserving it for the future generations of the Rothwell area. <Ancestry.co.uk findmypast.co.uk>

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">British Standards BS 5454 2000 Recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archival documents. Retrieved 8th November 2011 from []
 * __<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">References: __**

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">Cassell, K.A. and Hiremath, U. (2011) //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Reference and Information Service in the 21st Century: An Introduction. // London: Facet Publishing.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 110%; text-align: justify;">PAS 198: 2011 Specification for environmental conditions for cultural collections. Retrieved 22nd November 2011 from<span class="wiki_link_ext"> []