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Preservation Strategies and Challenges Faced by Libraries in Fiji in Managing Printed, Manuscript and Audiovisual Materials

Preservation of Fiji’s documentary and cultural heritage

Focus on libraries, archives and related cultural institutions

Fiji and Pacific Island context

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Why Preservation Matters

Libraries and archives are custodians of knowledge and documentary heritage
Collections provide evidence of:
Fiji’s history
Culture and traditions
Education and government
Social development
Important institutions include:
National Archives of Fiji
The University of the South Pacific Library
Fiji National University Library
Fiji Museum
Religious and community organisations
Preserving these collections protects Fiji’s historical memory.

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Aim and Objectives

Aim

Examine preservation strategies and challenges for printed, manuscript and audiovisual materials in Fiji.

Objectives

Examine the importance of preserving Fiji’s cultural heritage
Identify major risks affecting collections
Examine current preservation strategies
Identify practical approaches for long-term preservation
Consider Fiji’s environmental, financial, technological and cultural realities.

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Major Preservation Challenges

Fiji’s hot and humid tropical climate
High humidity and mould
Insects and pests
Cyclones, flooding and heavy rainfall
Water damage
Direct sunlight and dust
Frequent or inappropriate handling
Power interruptions
Limited preservation budgets
Lack of specialised staff and training
Technological obsolescence

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Climate Change, Humidity and Disaster Risks

High heat and humidity accelerate deterioration
Humidity encourages:
Mould and mildew
Insect activity
Paper deterioration
Cyclones and flooding can cause serious water damage
Power cuts can interrupt air conditioning
Temperature and humidity fluctuations can damage books and manuscripts
Libraries need disaster preparedness and emergency plans
Identify priority collections and prepare emergency supplies.

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Financial and Resource Constraints

Preservation materials and climate-control systems can be expensive
Limited budgets affect:
Storage
Conservation
Digitisation
Equipment
Maintenance
Institutions need to prioritise the most urgent preservation risks
Focus resources on materials supporting:
Teaching
Learning
Research
Community needs

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Technological Obsolescence & Digital Preservation

Older digital formats may become inaccessible
Hardware and software can become obsolete
Audiovisual materials are particularly vulnerable
Digitisation reduces handling of fragile originals
Digital preservation requires:
Reliable storage
Metadata
Regular backups
Quality control
File management
System migration transfers information from outdated systems or formats to newer technologies

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Staffing and Skills Gaps

Many libraries operate with small teams
Staff must balance preservation with daily library services
Limited time for:
Conservation
Digitisation
Condition assessment
Lack of specialised preservation training
Digital preservation requires new technical skills
Staff need knowledge of:
Digitisation
Metadata
Digital storage
Preservation software
Copyright issues

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Preservation Strategies

For Printed Materials

Stable storage environment
Good ventilation
Control humidity
Keep away from direct sunlight
Use acid-free boxes and folders
Regular condition inspections
Non-invasive repairs where appropriate

For Manuscripts

Gentle handling
Appropriate protective enclosures
Flat storage where suitable
Polyester sleeves for fragile materials

For Audiovisual Materials

Cool, dry storage
Protect from magnetic fields
Minimise unnecessary playback
Digitise vulnerable analogue formats.

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Key Priorities and Recommendations

Develop Institutional/National Heritage Preservation Policies
Cover physical, audiovisual and digital collections
Introduce Regular Condition Assessments
Identify materials requiring urgent attention
Prioritise Vulnerable Materials
Audiovisual formats and unique manuscripts
Strengthen Digitisation and Digital Preservation
Metadata, quality control, secure storage and multiple backups
Strengthen Collaboration
Libraries, archives, museums, universities and government agencies
Share training, equipment, expertise and knowledge.

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Conclusion: Preserving Fiji’s Heritage Together

Preservation does not always require expensive technology
Simple, consistent practices can make a significant difference:
Manage humidity
Improve air circulation
Avoid direct sunlight
Handle materials carefully
Conduct regular inspections
Digital collections require active management and reliable backups
Staff training is essential for sustainable preservation
Collaboration can help overcome financial and technical limitations
Our documentary heritage today is the historical memory of tomorrow.
Working together can help keep Fiji’s stories safe, accessible and vibrant for future generations.

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References

Chigwada, J. (2026). Disaster preparedness and preservation practices for sustainable information management in academic libraries. Jurnal Ilmiah Dinamika Masalah Pendidikan, 40(1), 112–125.
Digital Preservation Coalition. (2015). Digital preservation handbook (2nd ed.). Digital Preservation Coalition – Digital Preservation Handbook
Digital Preservation Coalition. (2025). The DPC competency framework (Version 2). DPC Competency Framework
Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Service. (2026). Annual climate summary. Fiji Meteorological and Hydrological Service
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2020). IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Programme: Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.ifla.org/pac-faq/
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2024). Digitalisation in libraries: The challenges of preservation and accessibility. IFLA article
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. (2024). Mould and insects. IFLA – Mould and Insects
James, K. (2024). The Ongoing Need for the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau. International Journal of Documentary Heritage, 1(1).
Kivia, I. (1994). Preserving library materials in the South Pacific. Information Development, 10(4), 256–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/026666699401000407
Kundra, S., Sarwal, A., Prasad, R. R., & Singh, R. (2025). Safeguarding linguistic diversity in Fiji: an overview of Indigenous language revitalisation. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2581224
Meinders, M., Keijsers, E. R. P., & Smeding-Zuurendonk, I. W. (2024). Improvement options for archive boxes in tropical climates. Wageningen Food & Biobased Research. https://doi.org/10.18174/645487
Mensah, S., Mutula, S., & Ngoepe, M. (2017). Challenges of managing and preserving audio-visual archives in heritage institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Collection and Curation, 39(4), 110–118. Access via ResearchGate Open Access PDF

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