World libraries: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress

On May 10, 2010, the Library of Congress held its first “Personal Archiving Day” to help people keep their personal information, whether in analog or digital form. About 200 people visited with Library staff at to get expert suggestions for preserving photographs, documents, recorded sound and other material. Advice came in the form of group lectures and one-on-one conversations at information tables.

Several Library units collaborated in the event, including the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program, Information Technology Services, the Preservation Directorate, the Prints and Photographs Division and the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division.

The National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program used the event to highlight a newly expanded personal digital archiving section of the program website.

The Library held the event in celebration of the first national “Preservation Week”, sponsored by the American Library Association and partner organizations.