Research and the application of technologies. Many of the decisions being made today are based more on experience and intuition than on the results of focused scientific experimentation. Research projects should reflect agreed-upon priorities for the North American preservation effort. These priorities must be set. Results of the research must be communicated in a meaningful way to the preservation community and should be translated into usable technologies wherever possible.
Information needs for effective preservation management.
Examples of management information that has been found useful are the annual ARL Preservation Statistics, results of condition surveys, and Patricia McClung's 1986 article on the costs associated with preservation microfilming. Modeling in the broadest sense is suggested, for example to discover the full costs of access to different types of media. Support member libraries' preservation programs by assisting with needs assessment and long-range planning. This includes advocacy, publication, and development of educational and training programs. Promote education and training for preservation managers, technical specialists and generalists.