Paul Conway (professor)

Paul Conway (September 7, 1953 in Chicago) is a professor in the University of Michigan School of Information and has worked with Yale and Duke Universities after starting his career at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. His research and educational work focuses primarily on digital preservation and electronic media. He has published extensively throughout his career on library preservation, conservation issues, and education of library and archives personnel.

Education

In 1975, Conway got his BA (Honors) in History from Indiana University. He has an MA in History:Administration of archives (1980), and a Ph.D. in Information and Library Studies (1991), both from the University of Michigan. His doctoral dissertation was "Archival Preservation in the United States and the Role of Information Sources". His research interests mainly focus on the challenges of digital information preservation and management.

Career and significance to preservation

Conway began his career in October, 1977, when he joined the staff of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library as an archivist and worked there for 10 years. Between 1987 and 1989, Conway worked for the Society of American Archivists as a Preservation Program Officer. From January 1990 to May 1992, he worked for the National Archives and Records Administration in various key positions of responsibility. It was here that he conducted research on the Research Use of Archives and a review of how government agencies implement digital imaging and optical disk technology. Conway also served successfully as Preservation Program Officer for the Society of American Archivists in Chicago in 1988 and 1989. During this period, he carried out a nationwide survey of archival preservation programs. For more than 20years, Conway has been involved with the society in which he is now a Fellow.

From January 1997 to 2001, Conway headed the Preservation Department at Yale University Library. While at Yale, Conway held several administrative positions and managed several digital research and development projects, including (1) Project Open Book; (2) a planning project exploring the complexities of guaranteeing long-term access to e-journal content produced by commercial publishers; and (3) an exploration of the potential value of e-book content to library course reserve programs. [cite journal|author=Conway, P. | year=1996 | title=Selecting microfilm for digital preservation: A case study from Project Open Book | journal=Library Resources & Technical Services | volume=40 | issue=1 | pages=67–77 | accessdate=2007-06-05 | note=From EBSCO Database] . While at Yale, Paul developed a framework for understanding preservation in the digital context by creating a bridge from the five core principles of traditional preservation practice. [American Library Association [http://www.ala.org/ala/alcts/alctsawards/banksharrisb/banksharris.htm] Retrieved June 12, 2007.]

Prior to coming to University of Michigan, Conway led the library Information Technology programs and services at Duke University from August 2001 to August 2006. As director for information technology services and for digital asset initiatives. At at Duke, Conway focused on developing a digital service for provision and preservation of digital resources to serve the university community. From September 2006 to date, Conway is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, School of Information. [University of Michigan (2007). People: Faculty profile [http://www.si.umich.edu/people/faculty-detail.htm?sid=138] Retrieved June 15, 2007.]

His impact on profession is also realized in his career as a successful educator. His extensive experience in administration of archives and the practice of preservation give him a practical approach to teaching as evidenced in his courses. Among the courses he has developed and taught over the past decade cover Preservation management, Archival approaches to digital content management, and Digital preservation. He has also conducted several specialized workshops and seminars on information technology issues. From August 2001 to date, he is an Adjunct Associate Research and Teaching Professor. He also was an Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Policy Studies and Faculty Director for Curriculum Development at Duke from July 2005 – August 2006, where he developed a curriculum for first years, "Game2know,". From 1996 to 2006, Conway worked with the Society of American Archivists as an Instructor. He was involved in Designing and teaching full-day workshops on digital imaging technology, including definitions of terms, system requirements, preservation and access issues, project planning, and funding.

Conway has published widely on digital preservation issues, archival users and use of archival information. His contribution to the preservation literature is in form of books, articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, book reviews and conference papers. He is also serving on the American Archivist Editorial Board,2006-2009. [American Society of Archivists (2007). The American archivist editorial board. [http://www.archivists.org/governance/leaderlist-unit.asp?catID=8&subcatID=10] Retrieved June 15, 2007.]

Fellowships and awards

*2005 Paul Banks and Carolyn Harris Preservation Award [Conway, P. (1999). The relevance of preservation in a digital world.” In "Preservation of Library & Archival Materials", 3rd Ed., Edited by Sherelyn Ogden. Andover, MA: Northeast Document Conservation Center.]
*2004 Research Libraries Leadership Fellowship, Association of Research Libraries
*1997 Fellow, Society of American Archivists
*1996 Fellow, Calhoun College, Yale University
*1986 H. W. Wilson Scholarship, University of Michigan
*1985 Mellon Fellowship, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

elected bibliography

*Conway, P. (1989). Archival preservation: Definitions for improving education and training. Restaurator 10(1989), 47-60.
*Conway, P. (1994). Digital preservation: Paper and microfilm go electronic. Library Journal. 119 (February 1, 1994), 42-45.
*Conway, P. (1994). Partners in research: Toward enhanced access to the nation's archive: A report on the users of the national archives. Pittsburgh: Archives and Museum Informatics.
*Conway, P. (1984). The Implications of digital imaging for preservation. In Preservation of Library and Archival Materials, 2nd ed. Andover, MA.. Northeast Document Conservation Center.
*Conway, P. (1996). Selecting microfilm for digital preservation: A case study from Project Open Book. Library Resources & Technical Services 40, (January 1996): 67-77.
*Conway, P. (1994). Digitizing preservation. Library Journal, 119(2), 42-45.
*Conway, P. (2000). Overview: Rationale for digitization and preservation. In Sitts, M. K.(Ed.), Handbook for digital projects : A Management tool for preservation and access. Andover, MA.. Northeast Document Conservation Center
*Conway, P (1996). Preservation in the digital World. Washington, D.C.. Council on Library & Information Resources.
*Conway, P (1990). Archival preservation practice in a nationwide context. American Archivist, 53(2), 204-22.
*Chapmen, S., Conway, P., & Kenney, A.R. (1999). Digital imaging and preservation microfilm : the future of the hybrid approach for the preservation of brittle books.Washington, D, C.. Council on Library and Information Resources.
*Conway, P. (1991). Archival preservation in the United States and the role of information sources. Thesis (Ph. D.)-- University of Michigan.
*Conway, P. (1990). Administration of Preservation Programs in Archives. A Selective Bibliography. ALIC Bibliography. Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Administration, Archives Library Information Center.
*Conway, P. (1996). Selecting microfilm for digital preservation : A case study from Project Open Book. Library resources & technical services. 40(1), 67-77.
*Conway, P. L. (1993). Effective continuing education for training the archivist. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. 34 (Winter 1993), 38-47.
*Conway, P. L. (1988). Archival education and the need for full-time faculty. The American Archivist. 51(Summer 1988), 254-65.
*Conway, P. L. Facts and frameworks: an approach to studying the users of archives. The American Archivist. 49(Fall 1986), 393-407.

See also

*Digital preservation
*Preservation (library and archival science)
*Library and Information Science

References

External links

* [http://aic.stanford.edu/ The American Institute for Conservation]
* [http://www.si.umich.edu/ University of Michigan School of Information]