The purposes of this Delphi study were (1) to establish the probable lines of development of both the conservation of materials in libraries and archives and of training for this field in the period 1981-2001, (2) to detect any significant differences between the futures envisioned by two groups involved with the problem, and (3) to determine the degree of firmness of opinion of persons concerned with the field. / Two respondent groups--25 professional library educators nominated by their schools and 19 individuals presently active in the conservation field ("preservationists")--were supplied a free-answer preliminary questionnaire (Round One). Answers to this questionnaire provided the definitive test instrument (Rounds Two and Three). Each group of respondents was returned this test instrument with the group means included and offered opportunity to change their responses. / The future as predicted will involve economic stringency, shortages of trained personnel, and some governmental conservation responsibility. / Materials in greatest danger (post-1880) will be treated at outside centers, with heavy use of microfilming. Respondents were undecided as to technology. Custodians will select materials to preserve and conservation administrators will be trained for wide knowledge rather than bench experience. Library schools will need trained conservators for instruction and some test or degree from an existing installation will constitute professional entrance. / Statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test indicated the populations of educators and preservationists do not differ significantly in the developments predicted for the conservation field. / Only 2.4% of responses were altered when the means of the groups were presented, indicating a high degree of individualism and lack of concern for a group concensus. / Preliminary matter to the study includes history and analysis of the American Institute for Conservation of Artistic and Historical Works, its Code of Ethics, and of conservation training in North America. Tables and graphs provide detailed data reported in the study. Appendices present the text of both questionnaires. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, Section: A, page: 2343. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1981.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74477 |
| Contributors | MCKEON, DONALD BRUCE., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 207 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
Page generated in 0.0118 seconds