ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Preservation (library and archive)

Preservation in libraries and archives means taking care of really old and important books, papers, and other kinds of things so they don't get damaged or lost forever.

Think about how you take care of your favorite toys, like your teddy bear or doll. You might keep it in a special box, wash it gently, and make sure it doesn't get torn or dirty. This is how librarians and archivists take care of old books and papers--they want to make sure they last a really long time so people can keep reading and learning from them.

Preservation involves things like putting the books and papers in special storage areas that are cool and dry, using special gloves to handle them so the oils from our hands don't damage the pages, and repairing any damage that happens over time.

It's really important to preserve these old things because they often have really important information about our history, culture, and traditions. Without them, we might forget important things about our past or not have access to valuable knowledge.