The preservation of historical materials, in a variety of forms and formats, is both a cultural necessity and a central responsibility for professional archivists. Archivists need to define for themselves just what archival preservation entails and assess the capacity of the thousands of archives, large and small, scattered and isolated from each other, to develop and administer sophisticated preservation programs. The author presents the results of the first nationwide study of archival preservation practices in the United States. He describes a model of archival preservation that partially shaped the research project, summarizes the research process involved, reports the major findings, and discusses the implications of the research for archivists and the archival profession.

Standards have become increasingly important as use of complex technologies influences all phases of archival work. The Society of American Archivists Task Force on Archival Standards has identified more than 150 standards related in some way to archival preservation. The checklist presents the standards (together with information about availability and cost), describes the organizations that developed them, and calls for increased archival participation in the standards-development process.

In April of 1989 Cornell University, with the support of the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, began a modest program to preserve scarce and unique library and archival materials in Cambodia. Cornell's involvement was an extension of the university's research and teaching activities in Southeast Asia including Cambodia. Preservation efforts are needed because of the devastation and neglect of collections resulting from decades of war. During the three-week project, the author surveyed the collections, trained staff in a variety of basic preservation techniques, assisted in the identification of preservation priorities, made arrangements for the shipment of conservation supplies, and developed plans for the establishment of a microfilm operation. Through the combined efforts of the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, Luce Foundation, and Cornell University, these preservation/conservation initiatives are continuing. In the fall of 1989 Cornell began a project to film on location important materials in Phnom Penh.