LIS 620 Fall 2014
Conservation of Library and Archival Materials
August 26 – Dec 09, 2014
Tuesdays, 5:00-7:40
Hamilton Library, Rooms 3G, A550 and A552
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
E-mail:
Deborah F. Dunn
Hamilton Library, Preservation Department, Room 552
By appointment
office: 956-2471 cell: 779-9046
ddunn@hawaii.edu
Course Description
This course is a survey of the structure and deterioration of primarily paper-based materials found in library,
archives and museum collections. Conservation treatments for combating deterioration will be explored from
the point of view of the librarian, archivist and museum collections manager. A hands-on approach provides
the students with an opportunity to analyze the condition of various book formats, test practical treatments and
re-housing options, and understand the role of conservation in a preservation plan. Students will practice
beginning level treatments and learn when to involve other trained professionals, including paper, book and
object conservators. Those working in small libraries will learn to establish an assessment and mending area
for their collections.
Pre-requisite: LIS 619 Preservation Management, or permission of instructor
Student Learning Outcomes
SLO 2. Develop administrate, assess and advocate for information services by exercising principled
communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
2a. demonstrate understanding of leadership
2b. work effectively in teams
2e. demonstrate the ability to advocate effectively for information services
SLO 3. Organize, archive, preserve, retrieve, manage, evaluate and disseminate information resources
in a variety of formats.
3a. demonstrate understanding of the processes by which information is created, evaluated and disseminated
3d. demonstrate understanding of issues and techniques of preservation of physical and digital objects
SLO 5. Engage in projects and assignments dealing with multi-cultural communities and representing
diverse points of view.
5a. communicate and collaborate with diverse colleagues, information seekers and community stakeholders
Course Objectives
The student will be able to:
• Develop the ability to evaluate damage to paper based collections and propose manual treatments and
storage solutions
• Perform a series of basic book repair techniques and paper conservation practices, being mindful the
national AIC conservation code of ethics
• Develop a disaster preparedness plan for a collection
• Write condition reports for a variety of media
• Create a library and archives preservation portfolio of methods, materials and a treatment resource for
future reference.
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Teaching Method: short practicum, lectures, class discussions, guest stars, demonstrations, readings, and
student presentations .
Technology requirements: students must use a computer and printer to complete written assignments.
A digital camera is helpful for treatment documentation. Ability to search online.
Readings
The titles listed on the syllabus are required readings. Additional readings will enhance understanding of the
course content, but are not required. The instructor will distribute additional readings throughout the semester.
Browse the following online resources
Roberts, Matt T. and Don Etherington, Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: A Dictionary of
Descriptive Terminology. http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/don.html
PRESERconVersATION, National Library of Australia website.
http://www.nla.gov.au/pres/conver/candh.html
Textbooks
Your “textbooks” will be online product catalogs from archival and conservation suppliers. These catalogs
provide some good information about storage solutions for various objects but you must evaluate what is really
appropriate for particular collections. I am not advocating the purchase of supplies from these companies.
Archival Products
http://www.archival.com/productcatalog/index.shtml
Talas
http://www.talasonline.com/photos/catalog.cfm
Conservation Resources
http://www.conservationresources.com/Main/S%20CATALOG/default.htm
Hollinger Metal Edge http://www.hollingermetaledge.com/modules/store/
Readings, Assignments and Grading
Assignments are designed to enable students to develop the vision and skills to identify the deterioration of
library materials, assess problems, and to recommend the appropriate repairs or conservation treatment.
Assignments must be handed in as hard copies at the end of the class period on the day they are due.
Anything received past the due date will be considered late and five points deducted per day for up to two
days. Thereafter, late assignments will not be accepted and points for the entire assignment forfeited.
Many of the readings and handouts are instructional with diagrams. Students should be able to read and follow
written instructions while practicing basic book repairs and paper treatments.
Grades will be determined by points earned from a combination of assignments, activities, the quality and
completeness of studio work, and attendance.
Grade Points
100-98 A+
97-94 A
93-89 A-
Dunn Fall 2014
88-86
85-82
81-79
B+
B
B-
78-76
75-72
71-69
C+
C
C-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Assignment Breakdown and Due Dates
Practicum (22 hours)
Dynamic Conservation and Materials Report
Create a Disaster Plan: COSA
Practicum Report
Take Home Quiz: Conservation Terminology
Final exam
Conservation Reference Portfolio
Class participation & lab etiquette & safety
Total
22
15
10
11
9
10
13
10
100
Sept 17 to Oct 29
Sept 9, 16, 23; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28
Oct 21
Nov 18
Nov 18
Dec 9
Dec 12
Assignments
Book Conservation Practicum (20 points)
Experience working in a book lab and the Hamilton library preservation department for 20 hours. You
will also have a chance to practice techniques demonstrated in class. For working students, I will come
in one Saturday; all remaining hours must be completed during the available weekday shifts. No
exceptions. Practicum hours begin on Wednesday, September 17 and should be completed by
Friday, October 29st.
Create a Disaster Plan (10 points)
Create an abbreviated plan for a collection. The basic format will be provided. Due Oct 21
Written Practicum Report (11 points)
Describe the practicum experience. Include tasks performed, materials used, condition reports (if any)
and overall impressions. You may insert photo documentation with images no larger than 2.5 inches
square. Report should be typed, 1.5 spaced, spell-checked and no longer than five pages.
Due Nov 18
Take home quiz: Conservation Terminology (9 points) Due Nov 18
Dynamic Conservation & Materials Report (15 points)
Select a topic from the list provided and give a 30 minute oral presentation to the class. Various due
dates: Sept 23, 30; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28.
Final exam (10 points)
On the second to last class, each student will be given an object or objects in need of assessment.
Two class sessions may be used to do a condition report and perform the work. You will be using the
knowledge and skills gathered from practicum experiences. On the last day of class students will share
their projects with classmates. Due in class Dec 9.
Conservation Reference Portfolio (13 points)
Think of this assignment as constructing a personalized textbook. Select five samples of work
completed in class. Pair each with your own written instructions, a list of materials used, observations
and handouts.
The portfolio should be neat and well organized in a clean 3-ring binder with a typed title page, Table
of Contents and labeled dividers. For bulkier items, put the portfolio in a box. In your present and
future work with collections, you should be able to consult this portfolio for useful information. Identify
the binder or box with a name and contact numbers. Due Dec 12.
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lab Etiquette & Safety (5 points)
This is a working lab and students need to respect all equipment, tools and materials in the room. Do
not touch equipment without training, or move other student projects. Before leaving class or practicum
sessions, the lab must be cleaner than you found it. Be prepared to scrub tables and wash tools.
Class Participation (5 points)
Participation is defined as joining discussions, completing the readings and hands-on activities, and
paying attention to lab etiquette and safety rules. Lateness or absences without a valid reason will
reflect in the final grade.
E oluolu oe. Be considerate of your student colleagues.
Pay attention when others are speaking during class discussions.
NO TEXTING OR PHONE CALLS IN CLASS.
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The preserver, restorer, conserver is the indispensable, the primary
living link in the human chain that connects yesterday's
accomplishments with tomorrow's possibilities.
James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress,
The Moral Imperative of Conservation
Session 1
Topic
Readings
August 26
Review syllabus and
assignments
No readings
Meet in Moir
Archives
Reading
Room A550
Definitions and review
of the practices of
Preservation,
Restoration and
Conservation
Assignment
due
The Preservation
Organizational chart
Work space:
Tools and equipment
Book Conservation Lab
List of treatments
Paper grain & folding
Hands-on- Sew a single
signature with cover
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 2
Sept 2
Moir
Archives
Reading
Room A550
Topics
Readings
Assignment
due
Types of bindings – SULAIR, Conservation and Book Repair. Website
survey of materials http://www16th to 21st century sul.stanford.edu/depts/pres/conservation/index.html
formats
Nathanson, David and Diane Vogt-O’Connor, “What Makes a
Book Rare?” Conserve O Gram, No. 19/1. National Park
Rare books
Service, July 1993.
Medium Rare
http://www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram
Circulating
/19-01.pdf
Book Arts
Handling
collections –
position, strength
and weakness
Book supports
practice,
turning pages,
carrying
National Archives, What’s the Difference Between
Parchment, Vellum and Paper? Preservation and Archives
Professionals.
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/formats/papervellu
m.html
University of California at San Diego, “Bookmaking: A Single
Signature Pamphlet,” Preservation Education and
Awareness webpage, 2002.
http://libraries.ucsd.edu/preseduc/bookmkg.htm
Hands-on:
Ikegami, Kojiro, “Introducing Japanese Books, Japanese
Fold and sew Asian Bookbinding, Instructions from a Master Craftsman,
style book
adapted by Barbara Stephan, New York: Weatherhill, 1986:
3-11.
http://www.sinclair.hawaii.edu/auth/auth.php?fn=Dunn_LI
S620 _11_IkegamiStephan_JapanBookBinding.pdf
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 3
Topic
Readings
Assignment
due
Sept 9
Hands-on:
Watkins, Stephanie, Practical Considerations for
Flattening and Relaxing Paper, The Book and Paper Group
Annual 21, 2002, pp.61-76. http://cool.conservationus.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v21/bp21-15.pdf
Submit
practicum
schedule to
instructor
Conservation Procedures
7.2 Surface Cleaning of Paper, NEDCC Preservation Leaflet
http://nedcc.org/free-resources/preservationleaflets/7.-conservation-procedures/7.2-surface-cleaningof-paper
Dynamic
report:
Making and
using
pigments and
dyes
Begin in
LIS 3G
Solubility test
wet vs dry
cleaning
Relaxing
Move to
paper
Preservation
Dept. A552 Removing
adhesive
tapes
Clean
adhesive and
rebind a
pamphlet with
Tyvek
Removing
fasteners in
an Archives
collection
Dunn Fall 2014
Northeast Document Conservation Center, “Removal of
Damaging Fasteners from Historic Documents,”
Preservation Leaflets, Conservation Procedures 7.8.
Website, 2007-2012.
http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/7Conservatio
n_Procedures/08RemovalOfFasteners.php
Victoria and Albert Museum, Caring For Your Books and
Papers, Paper, Book and Paintings Conservation Section.
Website.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/caring-foryour-books-and-papers/
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Materials are considered brittle when the paper is not flexible enough to hold a binding. This
condition can be evidenced by broken flakes of paper; pages snapping off along the binding or a hard
edge; paper failing a doublefold test, i.e. ending about 1/2" of the lower corner of a page near the
center of the book back and forth two times. If the corner falls off, the paper is very brittle.
Signs of Damage in Library Materials, Preservation Department, University of San Diego Library
Session 4
Sept 16
Topic
Readings
Paper
Assignment
due
Northeast Document Conservation Center, Repairing Paper
Artifacts, 7.3, Preservation Leaflets, Disaster Assistance.
http://nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/7.conservation-procedures/7.3-repairing-paper-artifacts
Guest star:
Seth Irwin,
Preservation paper
Dept. A552 conservator “About Paper Grain,” by Richard P. Grant, Skin Deep, Autumn
2000, Vol 12, p. 1-4.
http://www.hewit.com/sd10-pape.htm
Hands on:
University of Chicago Library, “Iron Gall Ink”, Under Covers:
Washing
The Art and Science of Book Conservation. Website.
Fills
https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/webexhibits/scienceofconse
Mends
rvation/irongallink.html
Casting
Two
methods of
mending
w/
Japanese
Tissue
Session 5
Sept 23
Treatment of
Civil War
manuscripts
Recommended
SAHOO, J. & B. MOHANTY, “Indigenous Methods of
Preserving Manuscripts.” Website, African
Manuscripts, January 13, 2007
http://www.africanmanuscripts.org/en/preservation/ge
neral/241-indigenous-methods-of-preservingmanuscripts.html
Topics
Readings
Protective
enclosures
Northeast Document Conservation Center, “Protecting
Books with Custom – Fitted Boxes,” NEDCC Preservation
Leaflet 4.5.
http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/4Storage_and_
Handlin g/05ProtectingBooks.php
Begin in LIS
3G
Hands-on:
Encapsulation
Move to
Preservation
Dept A552
Apollo wrap
and sling
Dunn Fall 2014
Dynamic
report:
Assignment
due
Alabama Department of Archives and History, The Dangers
of Heat-Seal Lamination, Conservation Leaflet,
Government Records, February 2001.
http://www.archives.alabama.gov/officials/conservlamin
02.html
Dynamic
reports:
Conservation
of national
and state flags
Preservation of
home movies
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 6
Topic
Readings
Sept 30
Asian scrolls
University of Illinois at Urbana Campaign, “Inserting
Loose Pages (Tip-ins),” Instructional website.
http://www.library.illinois.edu/prescons/preserve/inser
ting1.ht ml
Guest star:
Preservation Hiroko Sakurai,
dept. A552
painting
conservator
Lining
Assignment
due
BonaDea, Artemis, Conservation Book Repair: A Training
Manual, Alaska State Library, 1995.
http://library.alaska.gov/hist/hist_docs/conman/conma
n6.pdf
Tip in methods
Hands-on:
Prep recase
Clean spines
Mend
Tip-in
Relax
Session 7
Oct 7
Begin in
LIS 3G
Topics
Condition
reports
Treatment
documentation
Hands-on:
Condition
Move to
Room A552 assessment
Open lab
Readings
Museums and Galleries, New South Wales, Condition
Reports-The Essentials, Fact Sheet MGNW, New Zealand,
n.d.
http://mgnsw.org.au/media/uploads/files/Condition_reports__the_essentials_1.pdf
Recommended
Pearlstein, Ellen, Western Science Seeks Cultural
Knowledge, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, online resource.
http://accarchives.org/Online%20Exhibit%20pdfs/UCLA%20G
etty%20Online%20Exhibit.pdf
Assignment
due
Dynamic
report:
Combat the
Mold Spore
Invasion
Te Papa Museum, Condition Reporting, Care of Collections
and Taonga, He Reuemi Technical Resource Guide 26.
http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Natio
nalServices/Resources/ResourceGuides/HeRauemiResourceG
uide26ConditionReporting.pdf
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 8
Topic
Readings
Assignment
due
Oct 14
Disaster
Planning
National Institute for Conservation, “Ten Tips for
Homeowners on the Care of Water-Damaged Family
Heirlooms and Other Valuables,” Heritage Emergency
National Task Force, FEMA.
http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/tftip s.htm
Dynamic
Reports:
Begin in LIS
3G
Guest star:
Malia Van
Move to Moir Heukelem,
Archives
Preservation
Reading
Management
Room A550
Specialist,
Hamilton
Library
Conservation
of papal bulls
Northeast Document Conservation Center, Worksheet for
Conservation
Outlining a Disaster Plan, Preservation Leaflet 3.4, Emergency of a Gutenberg
Management, Disaster Assistance. Website.
Bible
http://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservationleaflets/3.-emergency-management/3.4-worksheet-foroutlining-a-disaster-plan
Council of State Archivists (COSA), Template for Pocket
Response Plan (PReP)
http://www.statearchivists.org/prepare/framework/preptemplate.pdf
Session 9
Topic
Multimedia
paper-based
Begin in LIS 3G collections
Oct 21
Later to
Preservation
Dept. A552
Photographs
Hands-on:
Recasing
Take Home
Quiz
Dunn Fall 2014
Readings
Assignment
due
The American Institute for Conservation,
“Preservation Options for Scrapbooks and Albums,” The
COSA disaster
Book and Paper Group Annual, Vol. 10, 1999.
plan
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/bpg/annual/v10/bp1014.html
Dynamic
National Archives, How can I safely mount my
reports:
documents, memorabilia and photographs into albums or
scrapbooks? Preservation website.
Conservation
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/familyof Japanese
archives/mounting-collections.html
scrolls
Recommended
Blais, Madeleine. "Division of Things Past: An Account of
the Making and Unmaking of a Family Album." Lear's 5.11
(January 1993): 64-65, 84-85.
This article tells of dividing a family scrapbook among
the author and her siblings. Once the photos and other
memorabilia were divided, they lost the full impact of
their meaning and became misleading. Overall, this
article provides a personal view on the importance of
maintaining scrapbooks intact.
Care of and
access to the
Dresden codex
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 10
Topic
Readings
Assignment
due
Oct 28
Hands-on:
Recasing or
Enclosures
No readings
Complete
practicum hours
by Oct 29.
Begin
LIS
3G
Move
to
Room
A552
Take home
quiz
Dynamic
reports:
Care of and
access to glass
plate and film
negatives
Conservation of
record album
covers and the
records within
Date
Nov 4 & 11
Dunn Fall 2014
Topic
Readings
Assignment due
Holidays
Election Day
Veteran’s
Day
NO CLASS
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Of all the elements in exhibit design, the use of artifacts comes first and foremost.
Artifacts serve as visual memory keys that help the viewer understand and retain the
historical information and ideas in an exhibit.
Exhibit Design: The Language of Artifacts, Wisconsin Historical Society
Session 11
Topic
Readings
Exhibitions
Wisconsin Historical Society, Exhibit Design: The Language of
Artifacts
http://www.mnhs.org/shpo/lhs/exhibit_plan/artifacts.htm
Nov 18
Moir
Archives
Reading
Room A550
Assignment
due
Shenton, Helen, Danny Norman and Simon Fleury, “Mounts
for the Display of Books,” V&A Conservation Journal.
London: January 1997: Number 22.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/journals/conservationjourn
al/issue-22/mounts-for-the-display-of-books/
Turn in
Practicum
report
Turn in Take
Home Quiz
Northeast Document Conservation Center. “How to Do Your
Own Matting and Hinging,” Preservation Leaflets,
Conservation Procedures. 7.4. 2007.
http://www.nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/7Conservation_
Procedures/04MattingAndHinging.php
Northeast Document Conservation Center. “Packing and
Shipping Paper Artifacts,” Preservation Leaflets, 2012.
http://www.nedcc.org/contact/packing.php
National Archives, How should I frame and display my
photographs? Preservation, Family Archives. Website.
http://www.archives.gov/preservation/familyarchives/displaying-photos.html
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Session 12
Topic
Readings
Dec 2
Final exam begins
No readings
Preservation
Dept A552
Assignment
due
Open studio
Session 13
Topic
Dec 9
Final Exam studio
time
Readings
No readings
Assignment
due
Final Exam
Presentations
6:30 PM
Preservation
Dept A552 Free lab time to
work on final
exam project,
repair and
protective
housing projects
Ua Pau
Aloha
Dunn Fall 2014
University of Hawaii at Manoa