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The National Recording Preservation Act, among many other provisions, calls for preparation of a study on the "state of sound recording archiving, preservation and restoration activities." That study is to be followed up by a national plan to address issues and needs raised in the study. I've been detailed from the Congressional Research Service here at the Library of Congress to prepare the study and subsequent plan. (A number of supporting reports have been completed and available on the Council on Library and Information Resources website: http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/reports.html. Other reports are in-progress.) Some of the issues to be addressed in the study include: I. Archives: [1] the size and nature of their holdings, with respect to both published and unpublished recordings; [2] the nature and extent of preservation capacities and activities, any criteria by which priorities are set for preservation, and financial support for preservation activity; [3] the format and specifications that have been adopted for preservation activities; [4] reader/researcher access to preserved material; and [5] copyright/intellectual property issues that may limit or interfere with access. II. Sound engineers and technicians: [1] perceived needs for standards or "best practices" to facilitate sharing of preserved material, how such standards/practices should be determined, and how often they should be subject to review and by whom; and [2] the challenges and practicality, in the face of limited resources, of automating preservation activity. The study will be one of the items on the agenda at the Friday evening Archives Update Session (8:00-9:30 P.M.) at the ARSC conference. However, I'd welcome your thoughts at anytime (well, almost anytime) over the course of the conference. There have been a number of relevant and useful threads on the list, and there are certain to be more. It's all grist for the mill. Additionally, the Library plans to create a formal opportunity or two for specialists and members of the general public to weigh in on matters included in the study. Looking forward to seeing some of you again when in Seattle, and meeting others! Best, Rob Bamberger (W) 202-707-1122 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]