A comparison of standard practice treatments in research library book conservation, 2007 to 2017

In 2007, a web-based survey of book conservation practices was conducted in order to document standard-practice, moderate-use, and low-use book conservation treatments for general and special collections in research libraries in the United States. This article reports on the findings of a ten-year follow-up survey conducted in 2017, to determine whether, and how, book conservation treatment practices have changed over the last ten years. Overall, the data indicate that while general collections treatment practices have remained consistent, special collections practices continue to evolve, with many treatments newly qualifying as standard practice in the special collections context since 2007. The data also suggest areas of further research, including how demographic factors may correlate with particular treatment practices

The Populist Conservator: A Sticky Case Study

How do colleagues in related professions and the general public regard the conservator? As a scientist in a white lab coat, bent over an object with a tiny paintbrush in hand? The unseen expert referenced in family treasure shows on public television? As a pie-in-the-sky idealist whose best practices seem to belie an understanding of the limitations facing small museums and archives? This paper is an overview of the author’s research, borne out of necessity, on preserving a treasured—yet not well preserved—part of American popular culture: the bumper sticker. Such objects would rarely warrant individual conservation treatment, yet are held in many permanent research collections and small cultural heritage institutions. In the midst of a traditional, materials-science-based research project on how these items were made and how they changed and deteriorated over time, the author overcame her own and others’ prejudices about what constitutes an object worth preserving. Thus the goals of the research shifted outward: to communicating the preservation message for materials that usually do not receive conservation notice—such as these challengingly sticky and ephemeral objects—and to providing economical solutions for items widely held by institutions routinely strapped for funds. Surprisingly, once the work was couched in terms of its impact on the public, the public took notice. The bumper sticker project garnered significant interest in the popular press and blogosphere, and even resulted in a video created by the author’s institution. This example will contextualize a discussion of positive and accessible approaches toward publicizing the preservation of cultural heritage, in ways that make use of modern technologies.University of Kansas General Research Fund allocation #230148

With Plenty of Elbow Room: Planning New and Upgraded Spaces for Library and Archives Conservation and Audiovisual Preservation

In 2018, the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries upgraded from a tired, twenty-year-old basement space to a new, purpose-built conservation lab for library and archives collections. The new conservation lab, which is housed in the special collections and archives library, quadrupled available lab space for its conservators and fleet of student employees. The move afforded Conservation space in the same library as the most vulnerable collection materials. In addition, rooms in the special collections and archives library were repurposed for audiovisual (AV) preservation, creating two new spaces for film and video workflows and upgrading an existing small audio room. This paper will discuss the conservation and preservation lab construction literature and will serve as a practical exemplar of the challenges and successes of the planning process, including lessons learned and unexpected benefits

Sticking Point: History, Manufacturing Techniques, and Preservation of Decals

Decals, also known as decalcomania or transfer prints, flourished between the 1850s and 1970s. Applied to a wide variety of materials, they were used primarily for trademarking, advertisement, and decoration of many surfaces. The use of decals greatly speeded manufacture of many consumer goods and made them more affordable. This paper will discuss the invention and use of decals, categorize types of decals by application method, and describe preservation strategies for decals found in cultural heritage collections

Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group 2006: The Changing Role of Collections Conservation II: New Workflows and New Collection Paradigms: Conservation's Role in Off-Site Storage Workflows and Projects

This open discussion took place on June 18, 2006, during the AIC 34nd Annual Meeting, June 16–19, 2006, Providence , Rhode IslandThe Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group (LCCDG) co-chairs presented two topics for discussion at the AIC Providence meeting: (1) conservation’s role in off-site storage workflows; and (2) conservation’s role in digitization workflows. Discussion Topic 1: Many research libraries have recently secured or are currently constructing off-site storage buildings to house low-use and special library materials. Conservation unit staff are often involved in building design considerations, collection development decision-making, and preparation and transfer of materials to these new storage areas. Discussion Topic 2: The introduction of digitization projects has also changed the nature of the work conservators perform. We have become increasingly involved in selecting materials, providing conservation treatment before and after scanning, educating digitization staff, and preserving newly created digital collections. Because the discussion on topic 1 was lengthy, sufficient time was not available to address topic 2. Therefore, topic 2 will be offered for discussion at a subsequent LCCDG meeting

Improving Energy Efficiency in Collection Storage in Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas, PF-271970-20.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries a Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Implementation Grant to complete the second phase of a multi-phased approach to update the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library, which houses the University’s archival and special collections. The current award allowed KU Libraries to implement some of the energy-saving recommendations proposed by the Image Permanence Institute, previously hired by KU Libraries with funds from a NEH Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections Planning Grant. The focus of the current Implementation Grant was to replace pneumatically controlled reheats in collection areas of the building (approximately two-thirds of the building’s area) with modern electric reheats, variable air volume (VAV) dampers, and new direct digital controls (DDC) as a first step in eventually replacing the entire air handling system that dates to 1968. While the AHU in Spencer Library provides cooled, filtered, and some degree of humidity-controlled air to the building, all heating and dehumidification comes from the electric reheats installed in ducts throughout the building. Testing and balancing of the system was completed before installation in order to garner a more complete picture of airflow throughout the building, as well as detailed information about the functionality of each heater. Collected data informed the installation of thirty-five heaters in collection storage areas, which took place after some delays due to the pandemic. After installation, a second testing and balancing operation was conducted to test the efficacy of the new heaters. Environmental monitoring for temperature and relative humidity was conducted throughout the granting period and continues. The ultimate goal of the long-term project was to better preserve our collections while also finding ways to save energy.National Endowment for the Humanitie

White Paper to the National Endowment for the Humanities: PF-20161213: Improving the Physical Environment in Spencer Research Library, October 2017-March 2019

Award PF-20161213The National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the University of Kansas Libraries a grant of $50,000 under the Sustaining Cultural Collections program to engage consultants from Image Permanence Institute (IPI), Rochester Institute of Technology, for an 18-month period to collect and analyze data on the environmental conditions within the Kenneth Spencer Research Library collection storage and staff areas. The consultants were required to report results of their research and recommendations at the end of the contract period. The University of Kansas Libraries assembled an Environmental Management Team to engage in a thorough planning process with the IPI consultants in order to identify problems and determine feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions for the fifty-year old Kenneth Spencer Research Library and its heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, dating from construction. The ultimate goals of the project were to better preserve the collections and the facility itself while, if possible, reducing the environmental impact of the building’s operations. The project proceeded smoothly during the entire grant period, with no omissions or significant changes to the proposed plan. The consultants planned three visits to the University campus to evaluate the building and its HVAC system and to communicate with University staff from the physical plant and the Libraries. Robust communication ensued among Library and University staff and the consultants throughout the contract period.National Endowment for the Humanitie

Impact of training and institutional context on book conservation practices

A web-based survey of book conservation treatment practices in research libraries was conducted in 2007. Survey results were summarized in a 2010 report that documented standard practice, moderate-use, and low-use book conservation treatments for special collections and general collections in research libraries in the United States. Similarities and differences between special and general collections practices were highlighted. In an effort to better understand the differences in practices observed in the first report, the authors revisit the data to identify whether, and how, the demographic characteristics of book conservation practitioners are correlated with particular treatment practices. Noting the trend suggested in the literature toward both hybrid facilities—those dedicated to both special and general collections—as well as hybrid practitioners, the authors were especially curious whether such facilities and practitioners might approach treatment differently. The data collected in 2007 were analyzed to identify whether key demographic variables—such as practitioner training, type of collections served by a practitioner, size of library, type of library, and type of conservation facility—were correlated with specific treatment practices. In this report, specific trends associated with the demographic variables are identified and explored. Areas of further research suggested by the results of the study are identified.2007 University of Kansas Library Research Fun

No Leafcaster? No Problem! Using the suction table to fill large lacunae in an entire volume

The poster presentation follows the treatment of a badly mold- and vermin-damaged 17th c. English herbal of roughly 600 pages. The developed treatment protocol calls for pulp fills using a vacuum suction table in place of a leafcaster, which was not available. The poster documents the decisions and workflow involved in a treatment procedure that other conservators could adapt for their own special collections treatments.Library Research Fund FY05 awar

More Objects than Expertise: A Collaborative Housing and Access Project

Sometimes collaboration is the key to caring for objects outside of one’s area of expertise. For example, most archivists are well seasoned in preserving paper and photographic collections, but caring for objects may fall outside their norm. To rectify this situation at the University of Kansas, Museum Studies students have written condition reports and created simple, effective housings for archival objects, resulting in better storage and greater public access. An added benefit is the students’ use of social media to document examples of innovative housings for oversize rolled textiles, hanging framed items, and metal, plaster, and ceramic objects. The collections have been better housed, are easier to use by patrons, and have gained publicity that has resulted in increased use and additional donations. The presentation will feature the logistics of the collaboration, simple housing solutions, and social media posts that other collecting institutions might replicate