Purpose This study aims to evaluate international practices in the cataloging, preservation and digitization of rare books in Uzbekistan’s museums. It analyzes current methodologies, identifies gaps in integrating conservation science with bibliographic control and proposes a framework for aligning rare book strategies with international standards. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, source-centered approach was employed, integrating archival investigation, critical literature review and comparative institutional analysis. Primary evidence was drawn from accession files, inventory records and administrative reports at the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. Three stages were followed: descriptive analysis of archival sources, review of international scholarship and systematic comparison of Uzbek practices against established international institutions, with all citations verified for accuracy. Findings Sustainable rare book management requires alignment across three domains: documentation through Resource Description and Access and Machine-Readable Cataloging; collection care through preventive conservation; and access through digitization. Despite measurable progress, inconsistencies in metadata, limited resources and uneven training continue to constrain integration. Scientific risks – including microbial damage and chemical contamination – remain insufficiently addressed in museological practice. Practical implications Three strategic directions are identified: collaborative digitization networks; interdisciplinary preservation strategies; and reconceptualized public engagement. Amid growing climate and environmental risks, safeguarding rare books increasingly requires science-based conservation combined with clear protocols for handling, treatment and long-term storage. Originality/value This study offers an integrative framework treating cataloging, conservation and digitization as interdependent dimensions of heritage stewardship. It addresses a significant gap by situating Uzbekistan’s rare book collections within a comparative international framework, contributing perspectives underrepresented in English-language museological scholarship.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that in a era of deepfakes, generative artificial intelligence (AI) and misinformation, physical objects in museum and archival collections gain renewed significance as anchors of truth and authenticity. As trust in traditional authorities declines and digital content becomes easier to manipulate, the tangible, verifiable nature of real objects offers a crucial counterbalance. Unlike digital media, objects allow for direct, multi-sensory engagement and possess unique ontic features - such as wear, residue and modifications - that affirm their provenance. Their authenticity can be confirmed through documentation, eyewitness accounts and scientific methods.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a deliberation, examining the interface between diminishment in museum authority, a rise in alternative "truths" and the emergence of deep fakes in the age of generative AI.FindingsMuseums, as custodians of these artefacts, play a vital role in sustaining credible historical narratives, particularly as conspiracy theories may increasingly target lesser-known items with unclear histories. To safeguard collections, institutions must adopt robust documentation standards - such as blockchain-secured metadata, forensic-style photographic records and transparent curatorial histories. Though resource-intensive, these measures help protect against future challenges to authenticity and bolster public trust. Museums must also embrace an expanded educational role, equipping visitors to critically navigate the digital misinformation landscape and appreciate the evidentiary value of authentic objects. As younger, AI-native generations gravitate toward digital experiences, well-documented duplicates may offer vital opportunities for tactile engagement.Originality/valueThe content of the paper reaffirms the centrality of tangible objects in museum holdings. It argues that the enduring value of museums depends on their ability to adapt, remain transparent and preserve physical evidence of the past in a world increasingly shaped by digital illusions and contested truths.
Purpose The audio archive as a repository of media history and historical developments is vital for media and communication scholarship.The focus of this paper is on South Africa’s African National Congress’s (ANC) Radio Freedom and its historical broadcasts. W hile historical accounts on South Africa’s media have been widely researched, the role of the ANC’s Radio Freedom continues to be underexplored, especially in research studies focusing on the country’s broadcasting history. From its initial broadcasts in 1963 in South Africa, to its exiled broadcasting initiatives, the ANC’s Radio Freedom grappled with the party’s political communication at a time when the ANC’s political voice was practically outlawed inside South Africa. This study aims to contribute to the history and the historical understanding of media institutions by focusing on Radio Freedom and how it enabled political communication through the broadcasts and communication planning strategies affecting the platform. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a case study approach in the archival analysis of the ANC’s Radio Freedom archive. Findings This paper illustrates the importance of media archives in tracing the history of political communication in South Africa. Through the analysis of archived data on Radio Freedom, the study concludes that the ANC meticulously planned and strategised its presence in South Africa to counter various forms of propaganda that were created by the apartheid government of the country. Originality/value This paper forms part of a bigger study that the author conducting on the history of political communication in South Africa. The findings of the paper are original and are an addition to the continuing that the author is doing on Radio Freedom.
Purpose This paper aims to identify and analyse the growing issue of role creep among library support staff in school libraries, where staff are expected to take on additional responsibilities beyond their qualifications and pay grade. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from a decade of industry experience, anecdotal evidence, industry research and job advertisements, this paper explores the issue through the lens of organisational justice and Australia’s Work Health and Safety (Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work) Code of Practice 2024 (Safe Work Australia, 2024). Findings This paper reveals a concerning trend of underqualified staff being tasked with higher-level responsibilities, leading to stress, anxiety and exploitation. The lack of recognition and proper remuneration for these roles contributes to poor organisational justice and psychosocial hazards. The paper concludes with some preliminary ideas about addressing the issue. Originality/value Whilst most advocacy has focused on the precarity of teacher librarians and library managers in school libraries, this paper fills a gap in the current discourse by focusing on the experiences and impacts of role creep on library support staff. It also highlights the need for greater awareness and compliance with existing Australian work health and safety policies and an organisational justice framework to protect library support staff.
PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of handheld X-ray fluorescence (HH-XRF) in assessing the potential risk of degradation to large numbers of historical glass objects.Design/methodology/approachThis study used an HH-XRF spectrometer to analyse a selection of historical glass artefacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) collection to investigate their chemical composition and establish correlations with their stage of alteration. Various groups of glass objects were tested based on their specific types of degradation, particularly crizzling and pink crizzling.FindingsThe results show that analysing the concentration of PbO, CaO and K2O with HH-XRF enables the identification of unstable glass before visible alterations occur.Practical implicationsThis approach could enable museums to promptly identify glass objects susceptible to corrosion and implement preventive measures before issues escalate, thereby improving their long-term preservation.Originality/valueConducting non-invasive, on-site assessments of glass objects by analysing their compositions across entire museum collections remains rare and challenging, due to operational restrictions in the galleries, and the frequent impossibility of moving fragile glass objects from the galleries to the laboratory.
