The National Library of South Africa (NLSA), the National University of Lesotho and the British Library’s Endangered Archives Programme hosted a three-day workshop on Collection Care in Cape Town from 07 to 09 November 2023. The workshop was facilitated by Caroline De Stefani and Veronica Zopp, both from the British Library.

The main aim of the workshop was to assist people working in library archives to identify the main deterioration agents that affect library collections.

The ten primary risk indicators for a collection’s integrity were discussed with the participants, along with steps to take to reduce deterioration. It also addressed ways to stop additional harm from occurring to a collection by examining document handling, keeping an eye on the surroundings, including pest management and discussing the benefits of protecting collection items with the correct enclosure.

The three-day workshop also introduced participants to other sustainable and cost-effective measures to reduce the degradation of collections and how to archive collections. It also consisted of lectures, hands-on practical activities and quizzes.