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, that can be achieved by addressing seven key responsibilities: 1) preservation administration; 2) reformatting/duplication; 3) environmental control (storage and exhibits, disasters, and integrated pest management); 4) collections maintenance (handling and housing); 5) conservation treatment; 6) conservation research; and 7) preservation education. -- AATA