Preservation Week, supported by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a division of the American Library Association, was created in 2010 as a way to promote preservation and conservation of cultural heritage materials to institutions and individuals. The initiative also raises awareness of preservation education and information provided by libraries and cultural institutions.

The 2024 Preservation Week will occur April 28 – May 4 and the theme is tentatively “Preserving Identities.” The Committee is responsible for nominating an honorary chair and arranging two webinars, hosting a “Preservation in Action” learning opportunity at the ALA Conference, and the Preservation Week website that offers resources, programming announcements, and an “Ask an Expert” feature.

Archivist Tracie Gieselman France of the Missouri State University Libraries will serve on the Preservation Outreach Committee until August 2025, and is a member of the working group that will update the Preservation Week website and the “Ask an Expert” feature.

The charge of the Preservation Outreach Committee is listed on ALA’s website:

“This committee develops, facilitates, maintains and expands preservation focused outreach and service on behalf of Core through the Preservation Week and Preservation in Action initiatives; promotes these efforts through a variety of strategies, working closely with Core liaisons and staff; enhances outreach to the public, libraries, and other cultural institutions via social media, programming for the Core Continuing Education Coordination Committee, and maintaining preservation-focused resources for the Preservation Week website.”

Congratulations Tracie!