SCHOOL OF INFORMATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Special Topics in Information Science: Conservation Lab Techniques for Non-Specialists
INF 385T
SPRING 2010
Unique number: 27860
Lecturer: Karen L. Pavelka
Meeting time: Thursday, 9:00 – 12:00
pavelka@ischool.utexas.edu
Meeting place: UTA 1.506B
471-8286 (if no answer, 471-8290)
Office hours:
Wed. 1:00-3:00 or by appointment (I am generally around the building, either in
my office or in the lab. Please feel free to talk to me whenever you see me.)
Course Overview:
Students will learn basic procedures and techniques for the care and handling of materials found in library
and archival collections.
Techniques
Techniques will be covered that can do a substantial amount of good for the collection, but can be performed
with minimal equipment, space and materials. Additionally, students will learn how to teach techniques to
others and how to evaluate and improve technician’s performance.
Specific techniques will include:
 Dry-cleaning
 Humidification and flattening
 Mending
 Matting and hinging
 Housings
 Tipping in
 Knitting needle joint tightening
Assessment
Students will learn how to evaluate a collection in terms of physical condition and how to make logical and
rational recommendations for the long-term care of the collections. Specific topics will include:
 Setting priorities
 Comparing materials
 Assessing resources
 Condition reports
 Risk analysis
Lab Management
Students will learn some basic principles of lab management. The goal is to impart some understanding of
the special requirements that come with a lab or repair space. Topics will include:
 Tools and equipment
 Health and safety
 Working with and hiring collection-care staff
Grading
Grades will be based on tests and assignments (65%), lab work (15%), and class participation (20%).
Course readings
Appelbaum, B. (2007). Conservation Treatment Methodology (Monograph). London: Butterworth Heinemann.
Baker, W., Dube, L. (2010). Identifying Standard Practices in Research Library Book Conservation. LRTS 54 (1).
Chapter 5: Written documentation. (1995). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved January 9, 2010, from
http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=BP_Chapter_5_-_Written_Documentation
Chapter 14: Surface cleaning. (1992). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved January 9, 2010, from
http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=BP_Chapter_14_-_Surface_Cleaning
Chapter 6: Visual examination. (1995). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved January 9, 2010, from
http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=BP_Chapter_6_-_Visual_Examination
Dartmouth College Library (2010) A simple book repair manual. Retrieved August 12, 2010 from
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/preservation/repair/index.html
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
Karen L. Pavelka, Lecturer
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Dyal, C., & Merrill-Oldham, P. (n.d.). 1-3. In Three Basic Book Repair Procedures. Retrieved January 9, 2010,
from http://www.philobiblon.com/bkrepair/BookRepair.html
Ohio Preservation Council and State Library of Ohio. (revised 2009) Basic book repair manual. Retrieved
August 12, 2010 from
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:HxHOPFWBHVYJ:opc.ohionet.org/bookre
pairmanual.pdf+book+repair+instructions&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester. (n.d.). General collections book repair manual. Retrieved
August 12, 2010 from http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=3242
Rose, C. L., Hawks, C. A., & Genoways, H. H. (Eds.). (1995). Storage of natural history collections (Monograph).
Washington, D.C.: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections.
Turner, J. (1992). Brushes: A Handbook for Artist and Artisans (Monograph). New York: Lyons and Burford.
August 26
Week 1
Introduction
Defining the lab space
Assign tools
Theory and function of housings
September 2
Week 2
Protecting materials
Housings
Book cradles
Care and handling of tools
September 9
Protecting materials
Housings
Book cradles
Week 3
September 16
Exhibits
Techniques
Week 4
September 23
Exhibits
Techniques
Week 5
September 30
Exhibits
Installation
Week 6
October 7
Week 7
Minor treatment: Flat paper
Dry cleaning
October 14
Week 8
Minor treatment: Flat paper
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
Karen L. Pavelka, Lecturer
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Humidification and flattening - process
October 21
Week 9
Minor treatment: Flat paper
Humidification and flattening - evaluation
October 28
Week 10
Minor treatment: Books
Tear repair
Tip-ind
November 4
Week 11
Minor treatment: Mending
Sew pamphlet
Double fan bindings
November 11
Open labs
Week 12
November 18
Open labs
Week 13
November 25
No Class
Thanksgiving
December 2
Week 14
Evaluation and wrap-up
Assignment
Design a book cradle
Some books are bound in such a manner that they do not open well. The text block may be made from thick,
stiff paper, or be cut in the wrong direction, making it difficult to open the book. It is relatively easy to judge
how far a book can open safely by paying attention to how much resistance one feels when trying to open the
book. Generally, if the book has to be forced, you are doing damage to the sewing or adhesive consolidation,
or to the leaves of the text block.
Book cradles can be simple or elaborate and both approaches have their charm. The velvet covered cradles
used at the HRC are lovely objects and inspire patrons to use materials with a degree of reverence. However,
they are very expensive to construct in terms of staff time and materials. http://cool.conservationus.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v04/bp04-01.html On the other end of the spectrum, it is possible to wad
terrycloth towels up to support the books. This is cheap and fast, but not very attractive, and perhaps
provides a good home for pests.
Your assignment is to design a book cradle that is:
 Cheap
 Attractive
 Can be built easily in house without sophisticated machinery or tools
 Can be built by technicians with minimal supervision or instruction
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
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 Can be used intuitively without extended instruction.
Best design gets a prize!
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
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