Welcome back! Seeing that we’re all working from Mullins Library once again, here’s a look at our new space.
The Libraries held a grand reopening in April, and the Preservation Lab was one of spaces open for touring. Visitors were welcome to explore the displays of tools and items we work with and use (almost) every day.
Sally and Amber were busy with treatments and repairs in FY25. Lots of surface/dry cleaning, along with enclosures and spine repairs. A total of 540 volumes were treated in the lab.
We’re now unlikely experts at preparing drawers from flat files for moving. A bit of background: the architectural archives are stored in flat files, which were moved off-site during renovations; now with renovations complete, the drawers needed to return to their new space in Special Collections. Using bubble wrap and shrink wrap, drawers were individually wrapped so the contents wouldn’t shift when they were tipped to the side to move through doorways. There were sooooo many drawers… it was a huge project… Sally and Amber truly went above and beyond working on their part of the move prep. Should you need any tips, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a small sample of projects we’ve completed this past year.
We humidified and flattened a panoramic photograph from Special Collections. Before, it was rolled and in several pieces, but after, it lays flat with the pieces reattached and rests securely in its custom mat.
Sally created new enclosures for collection items (love the razorback on the toes of the shoes!).
Other work with books: tissue toning for spine repair, dry cleaning, and odor removal (books sit on a grate on top of kitty litter in a closed container and the smoke odor from the books dissipates).
We’re always monitoring the environment to make sure collections are preserved for the long term. We’re on the lookout for spikes in temperature and/or relative humidity via sensors that record both, light damage, and potential harmful pest activity.
In staff news, Sally received the Extra Mile award as part of the Library Employee Awards Program in May! This award acknowledges the service and dedication of those who take on one or more special initiatives to help others in the Libraries at large through service they were not called upon to do. Amber was hired full-time as the Preservation and Binding Assistant in February, and is an essential permanent member of the team.
We’re looking forward to hosting open office hours in the lab and planning our projects for the rest of the year!