Conservation encompasses all those actions taken toward the long‐term preservation of cultural heritage. Activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care, supported by research and education

Conservation: The profession devoted to the preservation of cultural property for the future. Conservation activities include examination, documentation, treatment, and preventive care, supported by research and education.

Conservator: A professional whose primary occupation is the practice of conservation and who, through specialised education, knowledge, training, and experience, formulates and implements all the activities of conservation in accordance with an ethical code such as the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.

Preservation: The protection of cultural property through activities that minimise chemical and physical deterioration and damage and that prevent loss of informational content. The primary goal of preservation is to prolong the existence of cultural property.

Source: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation

Memories and treasures should last a lifetime and be passed on to future generations. Sponsored by the ALA’s Association of Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), Preservation Week inspires actions to preserve personal, family, and community collections in addition to library, museum, and archive collections. It also raises awareness of the role libraries and other cultural institutions play in providing ongoing preservation education and information.

Frankly, the numbers are shocking. The economy has impacted institutions’ progress in preservation, but both the public and private sectors need to take more action to ensure the survival of these collections. An essential step is strengthening everyone’s awareness of the importance and scope of preservation needs. ALA and partner organisations have responded with Preservation Week.

Source / Read more: http://www.ala.org/alcts/preservationweek/plan/why