The Department of Preservation and Conservation preserves through a variety of activities the Library's circulating and special collections. This can include simple rehousing, reformatting, repair, and complex conservation treatments. We will also play a leading role in the development of the Library's nascent digital preservation program. Formalization of preservation activities began in 1984 (a history of the early years can be found here)
Circulating collections are repaired in the "Bindery," with treatments including spine repairs, paperback stiffening, and simple enclosures. In addition serials and some monographs are prepared for sending to a commercial bindery. In addition we can consult on dissertation binding. Staff includes the Supervisor, three technicians, and other staff as appropriate.
The Conservation Lab is responsible for the treatment and preservation
of materials in the Special Collections Research Center. The Conservation
Lab was founded in 1995, and since then has grown in scope of treatments
and staff. It is led by the Conservation Librarian, complemented
by work-study students and occasional interns.
Working closely with curatorial staff, treatment candidates are selected
at time of acquisition, use by patrons and staff, selection for exhibitions,
and collection level conservation treatment surveys.
All staff are also involved in environmental monitoring and disaster planning. Note: we will consult with all campus units facing a water damage emergency as well as members of the community.
Treatments in the Lab range cover all levels, from simple repairs to
full treatments involving the pulling, washing and deacidification,
and rebinding of books. Rehousing options include phase boxes, drop-spine
boxes, encapsulation, and special enclosures.
