We recently sat down with Brandon Werts, HAI’s Assistant Director of Archives and Information Management, to discuss the urgent Call-to-Action for protecting and preserving our cultural heritage.
As a leading expert in the field, Brandon provides invaluable insights into the challenges facing archives today—and the solutions that can safeguard history for generations to come. Here’s what he had to say.
Who loves horror movies and managing archival collections?
Our very own Brandon Werts!
Brandon Werts isn’t scared by slasher flicks nor messy archives. From scorpions and rats to water damage and mold, Brandon and all of our HAI archivists won’t flinch or scream in terror.
Brandon is also a performer and collector of music. A lifetime of meticulously organizing and arranging his own personal collections has transitioned into a career of organizing and arranging other’s collections. He earned a bachelor’s degree in digital media arts with a focus on audio recording from California State University Dominguez Hills. In 2017 he graduated from San Jose State University with a master’s degree in library and information science with the goal of marrying his audio and information degrees in an audio preservation setting.
Throughout his tenure with HAI, Brandon has worked with non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, law firms, churches, government officials, city government entities, libraries, and more. These projects have included assessment reports, processing and cataloging manuals, collections processing, collections management plans, governance documents, digitized collections, and digital exhibitions.
Archives serve as custodians of collective memory, but they’re increasingly at risk due to natural disasters. Can you share an example where proactive measures saved an archive from devastation?
BW: The first step is getting your house in order. Archives hold documents, records, and artifacts vital to history, governance, and culture, but without proactive risk assessment, natural disasters like floods, wildfires, and earthquakes can cause irreversible loss.
A great example is Gloucestershire Archives, which implemented digital preservation strategies to safeguard records against environmental threats. Their approach included systematic risk assessments, environmental monitoring, and digital backups, ensuring long-term protection.
How can institutions assess the threats and risks to their collections?
BW: A thorough assessment helps institutions gain intellectual control over their collections, which informs labor needs, project prioritization, and overall planning. This process includes analyzing:
- Internal factors, like material condition and storage environment.
- External threats, such as geographic risks like earthquakes or hurricanes.
The Society of American Archivists provides annotated resources and disaster plan templates to help institutions identify vulnerabilities and create response strategies.
Physical awareness seems key to preservation. How can institutions enhance this?
BW: Absolutely. Understanding the physical characteristics and storage conditions of archival materials allows institutions to proactively safeguard collections. Steps include:
- Mapping storage environments to note flood-prone or seismic-risk areas.
- Implementing risk-reduction strategies to reinforce vulnerable collections.
- Creating rapid response plans for disaster recovery.
For instance, Conserv recommends active environmental monitoring as a key factor in preventative preservation. Monitoring environmental conditions like temperature, relative humidity, light, and pollutants ensures long-term preservation.
“With possibly hundreds of thousands of files in your digital collection, it is crucial to implement a digital asset management system to organize, access and preserve the materials.”
Are there universal preservation strategies institutions can follow?
BW: There’s no “one size fits all” approach. Each archive has its own mission, staff, and budget constraints, so customizing solutions is key. Even small actions—like improving storage conditions or developing a disaster plan—can spark deeper investment in preservation efforts. The National Archives’ Digital Preservation Strategy outlines best practices for maintaining archival integrity.
Budget constraints are often a challenge. How can institutions justify funding for preservation?
BW: Framing archival preservation as disaster risk reduction can be a powerful strategy. Instead of viewing preservation as an isolated expense, institutions can:
- Tie preservation efforts to long-term security and accessibility.
- Present digitization, processing, and storage upgrades as critical investments.
- Explore collaborations and grant opportunities to expand preservation efforts even with limited funds.
The Society of American Archivists highlights the funding gaps in archival preservation, emphasizing the need for increased investment.
In closing, what’s your core message for institutions looking to protect their collections?
BW: Archival preservation is both a shield and a roadmap—it safeguards the past while building resilience for the future. By conducting risk assessments, maintaining archival standards, and making strategic budget choices, institutions can ensure history.
Key Takeaways: Safeguarding Archives Amid Rising Threats
- Natural disasters (floods, wildfires, earthquakes)
- Aging infrastructure & environmental deterioration
- Budget constraints limiting preservation efforts
- Assess risks – Identify vulnerabilities in materials and storage environments.
- Monitor conditions – Track temperature, humidity, and pollutants to prevent deterioration.
- Develop response plans – Prepare emergency strategies for disaster recovery.
- Secure funding – Frame preservation as a long-term investment, not an expense.
- Conserv’s environmental monitoring helps institutions proactively protect archives.
- Gloucestershire Archives’ digital preservation strategy demonstrates risk mitigation success.
- Society of American Archivists provides disaster plan templates to help organizations prepare.
Preserve and Activate Your Heritage
Organizations across sectors — from universities and museums to corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies — rely on strong heritage practices to protect the stories, collections, and records that shape identity and inspire future generations.
HAI's Heritage Services include:
- Archival Services & Collections Processing
- Digitization & Digital Preservation
- Records & Information Management
- Historical Research & Storytelling
- Exhibits, Interpretation & Digital Experiences
- ArchivalOne and PastView Partnership
- HeritageAdvantage CoLab
We help institutions safeguard their past so they can lead with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Let's preserve and activate your organization's heritage together.
References:
- Conserv – Environmental Monitoring
- https://www.conserv.io
- Attribution Example: “Environmental monitoring recommendations from Conserv emphasize proactive preservation strategies.”
- Gloucestershire Archives – Digital Preservation
- https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/
- Attribution Example: “Gloucestershire Archives demonstrates effective risk mitigation through digital preservation strategies.”
- Society of American Archivists – Disaster Plan Templates
- https://www2.archivists.org/
- Attribution Example: “The Society of American Archivists provides annotated disaster plan templates to assist institutions in safeguarding collections.”
- National Archives – Digital Preservation Strategy
- https://www.archives.gov/preservation/digital-preservation
- Attribution Example: “The National Archives outlines best practices in their Digital Preservation Strategy for maintaining archival integrity.”
Main image features the National Museum of Brazil, which sadly was impacted by a devastating fire in 2018, serving as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to safeguard historical institutions against unforeseen disasters.
At HAI, we’re committed to preserving cultural heritage by understanding risks, raising awareness, and taking proactive steps. Read more insights from our Before It’s Too Late series here: “A Call to Action: Proactive Preparation and Preservation” and “Reflexes, Records, and Recovery: Training Muscle Memory Before Disaster Strikes” and don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn.