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Book Conservation

The Book Conservation Unit is located in B-31-32, Olin Library and is responsible for the conservation treatment of both circulating and rare materials from the University’s nineteen libraries and archives.

Replacing the spine of an 18th century binding

CONSERVATION OF RARE MATERIALS When conserving materials from the Rare and Manuscript Collections book conservation staff may carry out simple treatments, such as enclosure construction; or, they may undertake complex treatments such as washing, aqueous deacidification, paper repair, stain removal, resewing, cloth, leather or parchment restoration, or rebinding in cloth or leather. Much of the conservation unit’s work on rare materials is accomplished with the support of foundation grant money. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funded the full conservation treatment of the French Revolution Collection,

and the preservation and conservation of the Icelandic Collection. The Delmas Foundation provided funds to treat the Dante and the Petrarch Collections. The Save America’s Treasures initiative funded the conservation treatment and digital imaging of the 10,000 pamphlets contained in Cornell’s Anti-Slavery and Civil War collection. Currently, the Save America’s Treasures program is funding the conservation of the Native American collection.

Repairing a torn page in a 16th century vellum book

EXHIBITION PREPARATION  In addition to treating library collections, the book conservation staff participates in exhibit preparation by conducting condition reviews, preparing exhibit supports, assisting with installation, and monitoring the environment in the display areas. EDUCATION The book conservation unit has provided education and training to library assistants from small libraries in New York State through the New York State Technician Training Program (funded by a New York State Cooperative Grant), and to staff from U.S. tribal organizations through the Native American Internship in Preservation Management and Practice (funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).)

Demonstrating book repair to the 2004 CAU Bookbinding class

Library professionals have also come from Southeast Asia to participate in the Southeast Asia Training Program (funded by the Luce Foundation, Harvard-Yenching Institute, and Soros Foundation Burma Project). The conservation staff has taught classes in Bookbinding and Book Repair as part of the Cornell Adult Education (CAU) summer program.

OUTREACH

Conservation staff will advise and assist the public with regard to water, mold or insect damage and offer advice on storage and environment. The book conservation unit is a resource for libraries, organizations, and individuals outside Cornell. Guides and instructions for many of the treatments carried out in the book conservation lab may be downloaded from the Publications page.

Cornell students may work in the department as either student assistants or volunteers. The department is fortunate to have two programs funded by donors to support student library assistants: the Seymour Askin Jr. Student Worker endowment and the Einhorn Preservation endowment.

Book Conservation Staff

The Book Conservation staff includes:

Michele Brown, book conservator, mb72@cornell.edu

Pat Fox, assistant book conservator, paf3@cornell.edu

Roger Clearwater, book repair coordinator, rtc1@cornell.edu

Susann Argetsinger, senior conservation technician, sga3@cornell.edu

For questions about collection care or other concerns contact Michele Brown, 607 255-2484 or mb72@cornell.edu.
For immediate assistance with a water or mold emergency call 607 255-2484 or 255-5766.