The center organized a remote academic seminar within its cultural season. The seminar discussed the topic of conserving and restoring cultural heritage materials at information institutions: policies and practices, with the participation of a number of specialists and enthusiasts of heritage, libraries, and archives.
During the seminar, Professor Mohamed Abdulnasir Ibrahim, researcher at Al-Azhar Library, delivered a speech confirming that information institutions in the Arab Word contain a huge collection of cultural heritage materials, in particular organic materials such as papers and leather. These are considered the most possessions prone to damage, as they are susceptible in their nature to corrosion, separation of papers, and deterioration of leather covers and documents over time.
He talked about the major factors that lead to damage of heritage materials, alluding to the chemical and environmental factors. He focused on the damage caused by humans as being one of the most dangerous causes of deterioration, whether due to band handling, inappropriate use, or vandalism. This topic was reinforced during the seminar by viewing illustrative images during the presentation. These images demonstrated the extent of damage that could befall manuscripts and documents due to wrong practices.
Furthermore, the lecturer discussed a number of policies and guidelines related to conserving cultural heritage materials. Among these were the mechanisms adopted by institutions against vandalism and robbery, role of documentation groups in protecting heritage possessions, and the importance of increasing expenditure on traditional materials besides keeping up with digital transformation. This results in limiting aspects of damage and securing sustainability of conservation.
The lecturer referred to the role of digital systems in supporting the efforts of conservation and in reducing the rates of damage. He emphasized the necessity of balancing between physical conservation and digital accessibility, which enables libraries and information institutions to continue amid the dynamic market of information services.
The lecturer discussed the importance of accessing cultural heritage materials and recording them in international heritage records and websites, at the top of which comes Memory of the World Programme, pointing out that this programme annually witnesses the announcement of internationally adopted possessions and documents, which helps in preserving heritage, introducing its cultural value, and guaranteeing international recognition.
The seminar was concluded by emphasizing that conserving and maintaining cultural heritage is a mutual institutional and academic responsibility that requires knowing policies, commitment to proper practices, and collaboration among specialists in order to maintain the memory and identity of the nation.
