Postcards from the Disaster Fields: A Preservation Librarian's Tale
Randy Silverman is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in preservation and disaster recovery, currently serving as the Head of Preservation at the University of Utah's J. Willard Marriott Library-a position he has held with distinction for 32 years. His groundbreaking work in preventive conservation has positioned him as a leader in safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly through his innovative approaches to disaster planning and recovery.
Throughout his illustrious career, Silverman has played a pivotal role in managing and mitigating the impact of catastrophic events on cultural institutions. His early experiences on the island of Kauai following Hurricane Iniki in 1993 laid the groundwork for a career devoted to preservation. His collaboration during the 1997 Colorado State University flood was crucial in conserving the 425,000 books that had been damaged. Silverman's expertise was in high demand in 2005, when he assisted in addressing the challenges faced in Mississippi's Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, in addition to the aftermath of flooding at the University of Hawai'i Manoa Hamilton Library. In 2017, he confronted a mold outbreak that jeopardized 80,000 rare books in Tbilisi, Georgia, underscoring his deep knowledge in emergency response and preventive conservation.
Silverman's international influence was further solidified when UNESCO invited him to lead a workshop titled "Preservation and Access to Documentary Heritage in Asia and the Pacific" in Cheongju, South Korea, in 2006. It was during this formative experience that he was first introduced to the rich legacy of early Korean printing-a discovery that later inspired his ongoing, multidisciplinary research project, From Jikji to Gutenberg. This collaborative initiative brings together more than 30 historians, material specialists, and scientists to highlight East Asia's significant contributions to early book printing, a narrative that predates Gutenberg's 42-line Bible by 500 years.
A prolific scholar, Silverman has authored 122 publications and has shared his insights through lectures and workshops in 33 U.S. states and 13 countries around the globe. His exemplary work has earned him numerous accolades, including the American Library Association's Banks-Harris Preservation Award (2013), a Fulbright Specialist Award (2014), and the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters Gardner Prize (2016). Additionally, his collaborative work with the National Library of Uzbekistan during a Fulbright Specialist Award (2015–2016) exemplifies his commitment to international preservation efforts.
As a guest lecturer, Randy Silverman brings a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and a visionary perspective to the field of preservation. His career is a testament to the critical importance of preventive conservation and innovative disaster recovery strategies in protecting our global documentary heritage.
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 4:00pm ET
Please contact Jacque Quinn at jjq13@psu.edu with any questions.
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