UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has declared October 27 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. The objective is to raise awareness of the importance of audiovisual recordings and focus attention on the need to preserve audiovisual heritage. "Audiovisual heritage memory? the clock is ticking" is the slogan of this year's celebration of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
The Bella and Harry Wexner Libraries of Sound and Song at the National Library are devoted to the preservation of cultural assets that exist in various formats. The Legacy Heritage Fund has facilitated a project to preserve rare Jewish and Israeli recordings. The project involves digitization of records, tapes, and magnetic films, video film and compact discs and even wax cylinder recordings from the early 20th century. The purpose of converting these multiple formats to digital files is to preserve them and ensure their long-term accessibility. The project will make thirty thousand hours of recordings from the treasures of the National Library available for the use and enjoyment of the public.