Importance of print preservation

The Great Lakes Collection started in the 1960s and continued to be actively developed until the early 2000s, when governments started publishing reports online. Despite the transition to digital, the preservation of print materials remains an important priority for academic and research libraries. Leddy Library maintains and preserves the Great Lakes collection to support the North initiative, which is the coordinated assessment and security of unique Canadian publications. Such work is important in preserving Canada's historical and scientific record.
 

Support digitization efforts

Maintaining print collections of historical government documents enables libraries to digitize materials and make them available online. The Leddy Library has digitized publications from the International Joint Commission of the Great Lakes Collection, creating the IJC Digitial Archive.

Ensuring long-term access and preservation

Print materials, such as books and journals, have a proven track record of durability, often lasting for centuries when properly maintained. While digital formats offer convenient access, they are susceptible to technological obsolescence, data corruption, and hardware failures. By preserving print collections, libraries ensure that knowledge remains accessible for future generations, regardless of technological advancements or digital data issues. Physical copies act as a safeguard against digital disasters, such as cyber-attacks, software failures, or loss of digital data. In the event of such issues, print collections ensure that information remains available and accessible, providing a critical backup for digital repositories.

Authenticity and verification

Physical books and documents serve as primary sources that are essential for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of digitized versions. Digitization of historical print documents may suffer from quality issues, such as poor resolution and missing materials. Print materials provide an unaltered reference point that helps maintain the integrity of academic work and historical research. This is crucial for scholars who rely on original texts for their studies.

Cultural and aesthetic value

Print materials are not just vessels of information but also cultural artifacts. They offer a tangible connection to history and culture, with physical characteristics such as binding, paper quality, and marginalia providing additional context that is lost in digital formats. This tactile experience can enrich the research and learning process.