Recently many US Federal Cultural Agencies have reevaluated the preservation responsibilities required by any comprehensive program to preserve research collections. There appears to be consensus about core responsibilities with specific action steps and targeted goals, which can be achieved by addressing seven key responsibilities: 1. Preservation administration; 2. Reformatting/duplication; 3. Environmental control (storage & exhibits, disaster & integrated pest management); 4. Collections maintenance (handling & housing); 5. Conservation treatment; 6. Conservation research; 7. Preservation education.