PRINTED SPACE AND CYBERSPACE
PRESERVATION OF NEWSPAPERS

An up-to-date, daily capsule of information, pictures, graphics, facts and opinions: these are the hallmarks of a quality newspaper that captures the pulse of the times. And yet, most newspapers are tossed away without a second glance as they make way for newer editions that soon face a similar fate. As cultural snapshots of local and global scenes, libraries all over the world face the challenge of preserving both printed and online newspapers as resources of value.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body that represents the interests of library and information services and their users. The IFLA International Newspaper Conference 2008 is an annual conference organised by the IFLA Newspaper Section to enable the sharing and exchange of ideas and practices. This year’s conference which ran from 1–3 April at the National Library Singapore, saw 140 delegates from more than 20 countries.

 
The conference proved to be a success and was well attended by delegates from around the world.

Titled Old Issues, New Issues: Impact of Digital Technology upon Contemporary and Historic Newspapers, the conference programme explored key issues and challenges that pertain to the acquisition, collection development, storage, preservation and access of newspapers.

Co-organised by the National Library Singapore, IFLA Newspapers Section, IFLA Preservation and Conservation Section and IFLA Core Activity on Preservation and Conservation (PAC), the conference was also a platform for libraries, librarians and industry players to network and explore suitable partnerships to help improve the provision of newspaper services at libraries.  

Promoting Knowledge
In his opening address, Mr Ed King, Chairperson, IFLA Newspapers Standing Committee, commented, “Technological developments are now made so quickly that it can be difficult to keep up with the flow of information, let alone figure out how to integrate improvements in computer software and hardware into library procedures and processes. One of the useful benefits of such a conference is the exchange of experience and ideas that flows from the presentation of papers, and the free flow of opinions and ideas between conference delegates.”

 
(From left to right) Mr Ed King, Chairperson, IFLA Newspapers Standing Committee, Dr Varaprasad, CE, NLB and Mr Hartmut Walravens, Chairperson, IFLA Newspaper Section having a light-hearted discussion during the conference.

Dr N Varaprasad, Chief Executive (CE), National Library Board (NLB), warmly welcomed all the delegates in his speech and also highlighted the context of changing technology on libraries. “A common goal for us is to share and learn from each other on how digital technology has and will influence the way libraries are managing the preservation and access of both historic and contemporary newspapers,” expressed Dr Varaprasad. He then shared that one of the many efforts by NLB in building up Singapore’s print and digital knowledge resources is the collaboration with Singapore Press Holdings Ltd, which publishes The Straits Times and other language newspapers, to digitise archived copies from as far back as 1845. 

The keynote address was given by Mr Hartmut Walravens, Chairperson, IFLA Newspaper Section, who provided an overview of the last 20 years of newspaper librarianship. He emphasised, “Newspapers will remain a world phenomenon for some time to come and libraries are confronted with the need to make them available in printed or online format.” 

Indeed, consistent planning and innovation on the part of libraries are needed to improve newspaper resources. The IFLA International Newspaper Conference 2008 certainly provided an efficient, catalytic platform for the sharing of ideas, evaluation of new technologies and practices, relationship building and the formation of partnerships to the benefit of end-users.

 
Delegates exploring the conference sponsors’ display counters on industry related services and products.

(Article extracted from Discover NLB – a newsletter by the National Library Board, Singapore)