Preservation Priorities in Latin America: A Report from the Sixtieth IFLA Meeting, Havana, Cuba

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The information in this report is condensed from the presentations and conversations, both formal and informal, that occurred during the 60th meeting of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). About 1,500 librarians attended, representing Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia. Training for preservation administrators and preservation technicians was identified as a high priority need in Latin America. Because of the need for training, Latin American librarians were eager for current preservation literature. Maintenance and storage environments were also priority concerns; however, the breakdown of acidic papers was scarcely mentioned. Biological pests are perceived as a greater hazard in tropical environments. Of secondary priority, the conference participants recognized reformatting and bibliographic control, connectivity through new technologies, and opportunities for creative projects.