The Image Permanence Institute (IPI) is a university-based research center in the College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Its primary mission is to provide extensive support and expertise in preserving cultural heritage collections in libraries, archives, and museums worldwide. It has created extensive resources for both professionals and amateurs who work to preserve cultural heritage collections.
Their independent laboratory performs important archival storage and display materials testing - including the Photographic Activity Test (PAT).
IPI's Resources to Check Out
- FilmCare.org - A central resource for dealing with the preservation of all formats and types of film
- DP3 (Digital Print Preservation Portal) - Learn about digital prints, how to identify them, what can cause deterioration, and how to preserve them.
- Graphic Atlas - Need help identifying the type of photograph in your collection? This is the resource for you!
- Sustainable Preservation Practices - Practical solutions for libraries, archives, and museums to implement sustainable environmental management strategies that prioritize the preservation of collections while minimizing energy consumption.
- Webinars - Check out their upcoming webinars and access their webinar archives.
- Photo Storage, Display & Labeling Materials: A Guide to ISO 18902 "Photo-Safe" Testing (available in English, Spanish & Portuguese)