DATES: 11 -29 July, 2011 (3 weeks)

 

PLACE: Riga, (Latvia) with study visits to partner institutions in other Baltic states

 

ORGANIZERS   
ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)
National Archives of Latvia
The Baltic Audiovisual Archival Council (BAAC)

 

THE COURSE
Today sound and image records account for a large portion of the world´s memory and are found in diverse cultural institutions. As documents of intangible heritage and contemporary culture they are of immense value; yet, archives, museums, libraries and other cultural institutions around the world are struggling to conserve their sound and image collections in both analogue and digital formats. Moreover, conservation of sound and image materials is complex and requires specialized guidance, skills and infrastructure. While digitization offers new possibilities for wider access and preservation, many institutions lack expertise to assess the technological implications and to make informed choices that do not strain institutional resources and at the same time respect the authenticity and inherent values of this heritage.

 

The course will provide an overview of issues related to the preservation and access of sound and image materials e.g., photographs, films, video and audiotapes, and digital materials. It will discuss the value, meaning, selection and use of sound and image collections in various institutional contexts, exploring the potential of sound and image media in transmitting knowledge and cultural traditions. Initial sessions will especially focus on identification of various formats including the playback equipment, life expectancy of media and ways of detecting deterioration. Additional course topics will include: current knowledge and practices for documenting and cataloguing, media handling and storage, risk assessment of collections, emergency preparedness and response, criteria and technologies for migration and reformatting, planning preservation projects, outsourcing options, digital preservation and management. Other issues such as curating and access, copyright laws, legal deposit, and institutional and national preservation policies will be discussed in context with participants´ working realities. Adaptation to technological changes and related cost- effective preservation strategies will form a key component of the course.

 

WORKING LANGUAGE: English

 

COURSE FEE
900EUR (concessions will be available for participants from the Baltic region and developing countries)

 

APPLICATION
Please use the Course application form at
http://www.iccrom.org/eng/01train_en/forms_en/applfrm_en.doc
and  send  it together  with a  statement  summarizing  your  experience and  the  relevance of  the  course to  your current or  future projects in no more than 700 words. Application without the statement of intent will not be considered. Applications should be mailed to the following contact address:

 

SOIMA 2011 – Collections Unit
ICCROM
13, via di San Michele
I-00153 ROME RM, ITALY
Tel +39 06 585531 Fax +39 06 58553349
E-mail: collections@iccrom.org

 

Application deadline: 31 January, 2011

 

Jautājumu vai neskaidrību gadījumā, lūdzu, sazinieties ar BAAC viceprezidenti Zani Grosu (e-pasts: zane.grosa[at]lnb.lv tālr.: 67282690).