There may also be legal reasons or research value in being able to access the original in good condition to establish veracity. Much archival material is important because it relates to legal material, or represents important historic material. Custodians of such material must be careful not to be censorial by neglect. Librarians have a definite responsibility to ensure that they assist with access to information in its various forms. Its purpose is to study, record, retain and restore the culturally significant qualities of an object with the least possible intervention.
Conservation is much more than simply treating an object for damage once such damage has occurred.
Conservation involves undertaking appropriate action based on a full understanding of the materials and construction of the object, and the environment surrounding it, in order to ensure that the object is available in good condition as far into the future as possible. A principle concern in any preservation or conservation treatment is maintaining the integrity of the object. That is one reason why the first step of any conservation treatment always involves a written record of the materials, construction and condition of the object. This written record is usually accompanied by a photographic record. Another important concern is that treatments must be reversible so that it will always be possible to remove any additions or alterations to the object should a better treatment option present itself in the future.