2. Policy statement
A core function for Libraries Tasmania through the State Library and Archives of Tasmania is to protect and preserve Tasmania’s documentary cultural heritage. This is an essential part of developing and sustaining State, national, community, familial and personal identities. Access to cultural heritage is vital for vibrant, rich and resilient societies.
To achieve this, the State Library and Archives of Tasmania protects and maintains its collections by:
- storing items in suitable conditions
- taking measures to prevent or mitigate the effects of unexpected events, such as fire, flood, water leakages, etc (referred to as disasters in this Policy)
- digitising priority collections
- undertaking disaster management planning.
The following legislation provide the State Library and Archives of Tasmania with responsibilities to care for and preserve our collections:
- The State Archivist is responsible for the care and preservation of the State archives under the Archives Act 1983 (Tas)
- Libraries Tasmania has responsibility to care for items in its collections under the Libraries Act 1984 (Tas)
This Policy applies to our main collection storage locations and covers collection prioritisation, disaster planning, disaster response and reporting.
We adopt a universal approach used across the GLAM sector and align our Policy with the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Disaster Management for Libraries Guide.
This Policy links to the broader Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) policy framework and Libraries Tasmania’s broader management plans, procedures and systems.