SCHOOL OF INFORMATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Special Topics in Information Science: Conservation Lab Techniques for Non-Specialists
INF 385T
SPRING 2011
Unique number: 28640
Lecturer: Karen L. Pavelka
Meeting time: Tuesday, 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
Tools and Materials
Students will be provided with a tool kit for use during the semester. The tool kit must be returned in good
condition at the end of the semester. Some materials to be treated will be provided by the instructor. When
the student is responsible for obtaining materials the description and date needed will be provided on the
assignment instructions.
Grading
Grades will be based on tests and assignments (65%), lab work (15%), and class participation (20%).
Course policies:
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
Karen L. Pavelka, Lecturer
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1. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for
qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 4716259, 471-4641 TTY.
2. All assignments must be written in a gender-inclusive language.
3. All assignments must be typed in a 12 point font, double spaced and single sided.
4. Submit all your assignments on time. Late submissions will not be accepted unless an emergency is
involved. In the event of an emergency, the student must contact the instructor as soon as possible.
5. The instructor will provide any assistance upon the student's inquiry. However, the student is
responsible for his/her own effort to complete the assignments.
6. Students are required to attend class and to be on time. Any absence or lateness will affect the class
participation grade.
7. The instructor reserves the right to issue a course grade of F if any assignment is not completed.
8. The instructor welcomes feedback from the class.
January 18
Week 1
Introduction
Defining the lab space
Assign tools: Care and handling
Introduction to materials
Assignment: Sample set. Due January 25
January 25
Week 2
Protecting materials
Choosing and designing protective enclosures
Assignment: Tuxedo box. Due February 1
Students need to bring a small book; no larger than 6 x 8 x 1” Books that are thinner than ½” are
difficult to work with and should be avoided.
February 1
Week 3
Protecting materials
Choosing and designing protective enclosures
Assignment: Window mat. Due February 15.
Students will produce a drawing or image on paper that will be distributed.
February 8
Week 4
Protecting materials
Choosing and designing protective enclosures
February 15
Week 5
Protecting materials
Staff and user education
February 22
Week 6
Exhibits
Designing and implementing exhibits
Assignment: Exhibit. To be installed March 8.
March 1
Week 7
Exhibits
Visit Blanton (Not confirmed)
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
Karen L. Pavelka, Lecturer
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March 8
Exhibits
Install exhibit
Week 8
March 15
Week 9
SPRING BREAK
Minor treatment: Flat paper
Dry cleaning and dusting
Tape removal?
Assignment: Dry clean paper. Due March 22.
March 22
Week 9
Minor treatment: Flat paper
Humidification and flattening
Treatment will be done on representative materials in class. Students may want to humidify and flatten
their own objects.
March 29
Week 10
Minor treatment: Flat paper
Evaluate humidification and flattening
Mending and hinge removal
Assignment: Mending tears. Due April 12.
April 5
Week 11
Condition reports
Assignment: Condition report. Due April 19.
April 12
Open labs
Week 12
April 19
Open labs
Week 13
April 26
Open labs
Week 14
May 3
Week 15
Evaluation and wrap-up
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).
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
Karen L. Pavelka, Lecturer
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Chapter 5: Written documentation. (1995). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from
http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=BP_Chapter_5_-_Written_Documentation
Chapter 14: Surface cleaning. (1992). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from
http://www.conservation-wiki.com/index.php?title=BP_Chapter_14_-_Surface_Cleaning
Chapter 6: Visual examination. (1995). Paper Conservation Catalog. Retrieved December 29, 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 December 29, 2010from
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~library/preservation/repair/index.html
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
December 29, 2010from
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
National Park Service Conserv O Grams Retrieved December 29, 2010 from
http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/cons_toc.html
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester. (n.d.). General collections book repair manual. Retrieved
December 29, 2010from 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.
Assignments
Matting exercise
Condition report
Teaching techniques
Reading room observation
Lab safety instructions
Exhibit (class project)
INF 385T Lab methods for non-specialists
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