Preventive conservation, which retards deterioration, is the responsibility of the curator. It involves safe housing and handling of materials, and includes the provision of optimum environmental conditions; the provision of adequate stack space and suitable storage containers for fragile materials and handled in ways which will minimise mechanical wear and tear; establishment and enforcement of use regulations to prevent damage to holdings during consultations and exhibitions; increased conservation awareness among colleagues, staff and the general public; organisation and co-operation in preservation micro-filiming projects; support and encouragement of conservation research; and participation in disaster planning. All these aspects are systematically considered and every section has its own ready list, in english and french. As an appendix the preservation policy document of the national museums of canada, library services directorate is reprinted. -- ICCROM