PRESERVATION and CONSERVATION...

PRESERVATIONand

CONSERVATIONWORKSHOP

Emma M. Rey, RL

Society of Filipino ArchivistsSchool of Library and Information Studies,

University of the PhilippinesVirgen Milagrosa University Foundation

Agenda (what we want to know)

1. Understand preservation and conservation

2.Appreciate our roles as preservers of documentary heritage

http://www.tanap.net/content/archives/conservation/conservation.

htm

Documentary works in all formats, including digital, are a key part of our cultural heritage. Working with, preserving, and safeguarding them in order to provide

access to future generations is at the core of the work of libraries globally.

… documentary works are under constant threat of destruction. There are a wide range of reasons for this - from

neglect, to destruction in conflict or natural disaster, to a lack of funding to preserve.

Libraries globally have always been at the forefront of efforts to

combat these threats by safeguarding, preserving and providing access to documentary cultural heritage.

… It is therefore crucial to involve libraries in all discussions and

actions around the preservation

Retrieved from: https://www.ifla.org/node/11387

Definition

1. Preservationa. Umbrella term for all global

activities that: i. Minimize chemical and physical

deterioration and damageii. Prevent loss of informational

contentiii. Prolong the existence of

cultural property

From: Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC): http://libraries.mit.edu/preserve/about/preventive/

http://www.hollingermetaledge.com/modules/store/index.html?dept=1&cat=360

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4

FI_9es1P4E

Definition

2. Conservationa. One component of

comprehensive preservation program

b. Physical treatment of individual itemsi. Based on scientific

principles and professional practices

http://www.conservators-converse.org/2013/12/preserving-the-iraqi-jewish-archive-behind-the-scenes-with-the-

preservation-access-team/

Let’s start with PRESERVATION …

Basic Principles

1. Know the Collection

a. Paper – natural aging process of paper will cause it to become weak and brittle

Basic Principles

1. Know the Collection

b. Books

designed to stand on a shelf with the support of other books of equal height and depth

they should be placed close enough to support each other but loose enough to be removed from the shelf

oversize books may be laid flat

damaged books should be placed in a box or

wrapped in acid-free wrapping paper

Basic Principles 2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

a. Light

measured in units of intensity called lux;

high intensity light can induce chemical reactions which cause deterioration of archival items such as dyes and pigments;

generates heat which accelerates ageing, etc.

Image Source Page: http://www.gapinteriors.com/imagedetails.asp?imageno=48921

2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

b. Relative Humidity

amount of water vapor in the air at a specific temperature expressed as percentage of the total water vapor that the same air will hold at the same temperature;

high humidity will encourage mold growth and structural deformation of paper and books;

low RH will cause embrittlement and cracking of paper.

Image Source Page: http://www.electrical-res.com/relative-humidity-

measurement/

Basic Principles

2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

c. Temperature

Changes in temperature will alter RH.

High temperatures accelerate chemical reactions and hasten deterioration;

low temperatures can cause condensation on the surface materials;

rapid temperature changes cause internal stresses on materials.

Basic Principles

2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

d. Pollution

gaseous and particulate contaminate can cause damage to library materials;

present in industrial gases, automobile exhaust, cleaning supplies, paints, untreated wood, adhesives, plastics, and paper products with high lignin content;

grit, grime, smoke, dust are abrasive and acidic.

Basic Principles

e. Pest and Mold

maintain cleanliness in the area;

regularly inspect storage areas for sign of pests and animals;

control temperature, at 65% RH molds will grow;

do not allow eating or drinking in the area.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Integrated+pest+management+libraries&view=

detail&id=15B828EDE834A7BD3F5C4098489A8F53847D697A&first=91&FORM=IDF

RIR

Basic Principles 2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

f. Disasters

natural and man-made (fire, floods or leaks, etc.)

preventing and responding to damage from water, fire, or other emergency situations

writing a Disaster Plan

Basic Principles 2. Be Aware of the Forces of Destruction

a. Storage

place all materials in some form of protective enclosure;

provide adequate shelf space;

remove, segregate acidic enclosures to prevent them from damaging other material;

shelving area should have space for over sized and odd items;

metal shelves are preferred;

wooden shelves are acceptable if coated with acrylic latex paint;

shelves should be secure and solidly braced;

no items should be stored on the floor.Image Source Page: http://www.southwestsolutions.com/image/record-box-

storage-shelving-archival-file-box-racks-boxes-shelves-images

Basic Principles 3. Protect the Collection

b. Protective enclosures

Papers and boards for enclosures must be acid-free;

use inert or chemically stable plastic;

polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene and triacetate are acceptable;

all enclosures must permit removal of contents without risk of damage.

Image Source Page:

http://libraries.uky.edu/libpage.php?lweb_id=127&llib_id=13

<ab_rank=4

Image Source Page:

http://www.frick.org/library/conservation/preservation.htm

Basic Principles 3. Protect the Collection

c. Handling

always use clean hands (no hand lotion) before handling materials;

wear lint-free cotton gloves;

use both hands or support an item with a stiff paper when moving or carrying items;

use a trolley or help when carrying oversized or heavy objects;

never use pens near archival materials.

Image Source Page: http://blog.bookstellyouwhy.com/news/tag/conservation/

Basic Principles3. Protect the Collection

Why Preserve?

• The widespread alarm caused by brittle books/documents in library and archives circles throughout the world

• That unique cultural treasures are in peril and that such a program will begin to rectify the accumulated damage of centuries

• Saving resources – Making sure that collections can withstand several uses, thereby saving money in the long run on replacement copies

Why Preserve (Con’t)

• Saving history – beyond the economic value, there is the no less compelling argument of the value of saving historic documents for future research and discovery

• National Heritage Act (Philippines)

• For institutions, preservation is an add-on competency and specialization, combined with the availability of grant funds

• For good service and improved access

CONSERVATION TREATMENTS

• treating individual objects using the

services of a trained conservator

Washing

Deacidification

Sizing

Lining

Mending

http://tslacconservation.wordpress.com/tag/conservation/

http://flaglerdrawings.wordpress.com/

Conservation

treatments

Starts with…

Collection/condition survey

How much of the pubic library collection are endangered? deteriorated?

Therefore, are in need of conservation or restorarion?

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Students_examining_books_in_the_Library_of_Congress8d23159v.jpg

COLLECTIONS SURVEY

The survey form was divided into 3 sections:I. Descriptive Data (bibliographic and

physical)II. Item Condition/sIII. Treatment Recommendations

I. The Descriptive Data

(bibliographic and physical)

Book

start with basic bibliographic

information like Author, Title,

Publication date, and Call

number;

record the physical attributes

such as current housing, type

of binding, binding material,

leaf attachment- the way the

pages are connected in the

book, etc.

I. The Descriptive Data (bibliographic and physical)

Document

Record the provenance

Description of the document (type of paper, size of

document, etc., ink used, etc.

Previous treatments done, etc.

II. The Item Condition

record whether or not there were:

damaged or missing book spines

Stains

Mold growth, foxing, etc.

Distorted bindings

brittle paper

loose pages

deteriorating book cover

Damaged book-spines loose board covers

Soiled/dirty pages

Brittle book pages

III. Treatment RecommendationsMay be: repair, cleaning and preservation

solutions (mechanical and/or chemical cleaning, washing, deacidification, lining, etc.) that mirror the problems reported for the books in the Item Condition section.

new or replacement protective housing- acid free boxes, envelopes, or custom made enclosures, etc.

SELECTING BOOKS

FOR REMEDIAL WORK

• Retention – how long a book is to be retained

• Use – how regular a book is consulted

• Stability – how stable is the condition of the material

• Rarity, value, significance

DISBINDING/DISASSEMBLING BOOKS

Testing for Acidity and Ink solubility

•

Testing for Acidity and Ink solubility

Mechanical cleaning of paper/document

Chemical cleaning of paper: Washing by spraying

Mylar

Reemay

Plexiglass

Chemical cleaning of paper: Washing by bathMaterials:

1.Mylar sheet

2.Reemay or pelon

3.Spray bottle

4.Plastic rectangular basin or sink

5.Plexiglass

6.Blotting paper or clothes line and clothes pin

7.Distilled water

Mylar

Reemay

Plexiglass

Chemical cleaning of paper: Washing by bath

Deacidification by spraying

Deacidification by bath/immersion

Mending

Lining

If you can’t implement a conservation program

yet, like book repair, etc. make phase boxes…

ENCLOSURES

Purposes of Enclosures

Protection for overhandling

Protection in transit

Protection on the shelves

Protection against fire, smoke and

flood damage

Keep heritage item out light

Keep heritage item out dust

Act as buffer against fluctuations in

the ambient environment

Act as buffer against atmospheric

pollution

Materials

Lignin-free

Sulfur-free

Buffered

Have high cellulosic content

(above 87%)

Except for works of arts with dyes or

pigments sensitive to high alkalinity

For photographic materials should meet

the Photographic Activity Test

Putting newspapers in boxes can help preserve them

Brittle book in protective housing – clam shell box

Slip case for a charter with a special place for each part

Made-to-measure protective case for book

Envelopes and boxes for film storage

Enclosures for large books

Enclosures for large newspapers

Workshop:

Materials:

Acid-free boards (tag board)PVA glue and bruch applicatorSteel rulerPencilCutterBone folder or tongue depressor (large)Cutting board

1) Take measurements

Enclosure pattern 1height

thickness

thickness

thickness

wid

thw

idth

2) Cut tag board

1st

piece

Enclosure pattern 1

wid

th

HeightheightHeight

thickness

thickn

ess

wid

th

wid

th

2) Cut tag board

2nd

piece

Enclosure pattern 1

wid

th

height

thickness

thickness

thickness

wid

thw

idth

HeightheightHeight

thickness

thickn

ess

wid

th

wid

th

2) Cut tag board

3) Score the folds

Partial glue

Partial glue

4) Join the 2 boards

Use a PVA glue

Enclosure pattern 2