Special Workshops and Continuing Education for Paper Conservationists
ILS 650 – Preservation of Library Materials Fall 2011
Dr. Josephine Sche
Kimberley Weber
November 6, 2011
Introduction
If I could do it all over again and was at the beginning of my educational journey as opposed to the end, I would love to go back to school full time to get an advanced degree in preservation of library materials so that I could become a professional conservator with a special emphasis on paper conservation for books and manuscripts. Some of the most fascinating and rewarding careers in librarianship fall under the specialty of conservation preservation; these positions can provide you with a real sense of purpose and the feeling that you are doing something truly valuable and important. What can be more exciting than helping to rescue historic and cultural treasures from the ravages of time? Preserving books, maps, documents and personal papers for future generations to study and enjoy provides you with a great reason to go to work in the morning. Conservation is a truly interdisciplinary field as it links humanities, science, librarianship and craftsmanship in a very profound way. Since I became aware of the paper conservation field late in the game I have neither the time nor the resources to pursue these advanced degrees. Fortunately for me there are other options.
Overview of Paper Conservation Training
There are a variety of ways to learn paper conservation. Many prestigious universities in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe have both Masters and Ph.D. programs in conservation and preservation. The University of Delaware, Columbia University, Buffalo State, University of Texas at Austin and University College of London all have excellent programs that are world renown. The various programs are found in a variety of departments including Library Science, Art Conservation, Architectural Conservation and Museum Studies. Of these degree programs UT-Austin’s is the most impressive and the one designed specifically for library conservation work. Their state of the arts conservation lab has an impressive array of tools and equipment including stereo and polarizing microscopes for in-depth study of materials, an assortment of bindery presses plus an elephant trunk extraction system which is used when cleaning molds and toxic solvents.
There are some really great continuing education opportunities that include workshops, webinars, conferences, field training and internships through well respected conservation centers such as the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), and the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). These programs are designed for librarians and other collection managers learning to gain expertise in paper conservation. While these seminars and workshops do not equal formal full-time academic work in a masters or Ph.D. program they still provide excellent information on some of the big issues in conservation and preservation work and can be extremely helpful to a librarian hoping to develop and/or improve the preservation program at his/her library.
Skills Required of a Paper Conservationist
To be a knowledgeable paper conservator you should have a strong background in the humanities, and preferably a love of history, as this will provide you with an understanding of the historical and cultural value of the manuscript or book you are considering for restoration or stabilization. A love of languages would also be useful. You also must have a working knowledge of science, particularly chemistry, so that you can properly analyze and research the condition of the item, as well as understand the properties of the ink, paper and other elements used. It is important to understand how the different components interact with one another and also how they respond to environmental factors such as light, heat, and moisture. Good lab skills are a must. Designing stability tests, knowing how to do a surface cleaning, stain reduction, bathing and drying methods of paper materials, mending tears, tipping in paper inserts, pulp fills, plus matting and framing are all important conservation treatments and should be a big part of a conservator’s training. The bench skills often require a blend of scientific knowledge and artistic craftsmanship. Manual dexterity and a delicate touch help with mends and bookbinding. Some of the basic bench work would be handled by conservation technicians but overseen by the lead paper conservator. Technician positions often do not require special degrees as many conservation programs prefer to train their people in-house for better control of procedures.
Finally, the fundamentals of librarianship play a huge role in successful paper conservation, and this takes many forms. Documentation on the condition of the item is an important step prior to treatment as is cataloging once restoration has been completed. The public gains access to items through digitization or encapsulation as many items are too fragile to be handled directly by the public, although often digitization and other reformatting techniques are most often handled by specialists other than paper conservationists. A good understanding of how to store, exhibit, and transport valuable manuscripts is also essential. And finally grant writing is key. Finding the money to fund conservation projects becomes increasingly important and can take up a huge percentage of a conservationist’s day.
Conservationists play an increasingly important role as many paper based documents in our educational institutions age and become brittle due to the acid reactions in paper. More than ever depositories of priceless paper based materials need to learn about environmental controls. Conservationists are responsible for both restorative and preventative work.
To summarize, a successful conservation program should teach three key topics. They are 1. knowing how to manage the exhibit/storage environment, 2.) proficiency in proper storage including creation of containers and protective coverings and 3.) sound repair practices and when appropriate knowing when it’s time to call in an expert. For this paper I would like to examine three different paper conservation programs, all with slightly different foci and yet all which successfully teach the most important components of a good paper conservation program. Northeast Document Conservation Center provides an assortment of webinars, workshops, conferences and online courses. San Gemini Preservation Studies, which is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin sponsors a field trip to Italy which focuses on both course and lab work. Finally North Bennet Street School offers both workshops and degree programs in bookbinding as an art but also emphasizes sound preservation and paper repair.
Education Program 1 – Northeast Document Conservation Center
The Northeast Document Conservation Center is a nonprofit, regional conservation center specializing in the preservation of paper based materials and serves libraries, museums, archives, historical societies as well as other collections holding institutions (NEDCC, 2011). It offers a wide range of training options for people new to the field of paper conservation as well as for those interested in continuing their education. Full or half day workshops, webinars, conferences and something they call Preservation 101 are all available at reasonable prices. The preservation toolkit is another option that is useful for conservators who want to stay up to date on new trends in the field and who are responsible for developing programs for their institution. The toolkit runs for a semester and is sponsored by the Institute of Museums and Library Services.
Many of the workshops described on the NEDCC website provide good information on both preventive and restorative methods including classes on basic paper repair, intermediate book repair, protective enclosures, preparing collection materials for exhibits and preservation of oversize paper artifacts. These five courses provide practical knowledge and skills that would allow me to bring a sound preservation policy to my library.
The two book repair classes teach an understanding of the complexity of paper conservation skills. They provide practical information on setting up an in-house book repair program and also advise you when you need to send items out to a more skilled conservator. In the class you learn about paper properties and are offered sound solutions to common problems normally associated with unbound materials such as prints, maps, and documents. Students get some real hands on experience and learn how to mend, surface clean, and flatten paper. The classes also go over repair techniques that can damage your materials further and so should be avoided.
The class on protective enclosures is another class I’d like to take. Inexpensive methods are used to create chemically stable enclosures for pamphlets and other archival materials. Preparing collection materials for exhibits is another concern of the paper conservationist working in the public library setting and the course offered at the NEDCC gives students good information on how to mount books, manuscripts and documents safely. A separate class on the preservation of oversize works is also offered. These awkward materials have their own needs and issues. Handling and storage issues are also discussed.
An interesting offering via the NEDCC is “Preservation 101: Preservation Basics for Paper and Media Collections” which is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEDCC, 2011). It is offered in two very convenient ways, especially for us online students who like to work in our slippers. You can choose an instructor led online course once a year (begins January 12, 2012) or a free self-paced course at any time. The instructor led course earns you 15 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) while the self guided course does not. Both courses provide you with the necessary tools to build a preservation program for your institution. I previewed the free self-paced course which is comprised of eight two hour units. Each unit has eight sections with a final project at the end to help you achieve a conservation policy. The reading is a little bit dry and unfortunately the information provided seems to be the same as what can easily be found other places. However the exercises at the end of the units are comprised of surveys which encourage you to explore, evaluate, and identify your institution’s particular issues so at the end of the course you will end up with a good plan of action.
The NEDCC also sponsors conferences on conservation related subjects each year. The conference this year will take place June 2012 with a focus on “Digital Directions – Creation-Curation Use,” an interesting topic but one only loosely associated with paper conservation. The NEDCC also has a lot of pamphlets, leaflets and newsletters which are easily downloaded; one of these of special interest to small and medium sized libraries offers step-by-step assistance in planning successful collection preservation without spending a lot of money.
Education Program 2 – San Gemini Preservation Studies University of Wisconsin – Introduction to Restoration of Paper in Books and Artwork
If money was no object and if I could justify leaving my family for a month this is the program I would love to do! For the month of July students can travel to San Gemini, a hillside town between Rome and Florence, and get both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of conservation and restoration of paper. The program is run through the University of Wisconsin and is very popular. The trip is part field work and part class work and is designed for two types of students; those planning on becoming paper conservationists and those who will be managing paper based resources in libraries. The course meets Monday through Friday for four weeks with two and one half hour lectures each morning and then a four hour lab each afternoon. The syllabus is ambitious but all of the topics seem relevant for a firm understanding of paper conservation topics. The website says that the classes are geared to a wide level of expertise but a rigorous application process weeds out anyone who does not have sufficient preliminary knowledge.
The lecture topics include the evolution of the book tracing its various formats; from clay, wax, metal, papyrus and animal skins up to paper (no eBooks yet). Other fascinating topics include the structure of the book, deterioration of books, chemistry of paper, restoration of bindings, restoration of artwork on paper and methods of etching type.
The lab topics are incredibly worthwhile and cover all the topics that would appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in paper conservation. Students will learn how to do the most commonly used techniques in book restoration including dry cleaning, washing, deacidification, sizing, drying, reintegration of tears and missing sections, flattening with presses, signature, techniques for sewing the quires, and leather cover construction. After just one month (and in Italy no less), you can learn all of the conservation basics and would be an asset to a library in need of a conservation program.
Education Program 3 – North Bennet Street School - Bookbinding
North Bennet Street School was established in 1885 in Boston’s North End as a trade school of sorts, for the purpose of training newly arriving immigrants in vocations that would guarantee them success in their new homeland. In the last 100 years the school’s programs have evolved and yet they are still committed “to provide intensive, hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship, helping students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods (NBSS, 2011).”
It is a little bit of a stretch to call North Bennet Street School (NBSS) a continuing education program. It is really much bigger than that, the four part workshops are intense and pricey but are so well done that you’re going to want to continue with your education and sign on for their degree program. The two year degree programs are quite rigorous and all of the reviews I read online say the work is demanding. The school is especially designed to teach fine craftsmanship in an assortment of areas, from fine furniture making to jewelry making to bookbinding. Of all the training programs I analyzed the one which I found the most interesting was the bookbinding classes offered at the NBSS. The bookbinding course which began in 1986 “attracts students who share a passion for books and materials, problem-solving, the creative process of working with their hands to make, restore and preserve books and other printed cultural treasures (NBSS, 2011).” Students who finish the course are often sought after by prestigious libraries with impressive conservation programs. I met a graduate in Vermont last summer who has her own studio and also works for the Dartmouth Library on a variety of interesting projects.
While the focus of NBSS is on bookbinding, conservation and preservation issues are still a major theme. San Francisco Center for the Book, another craft school also offers bookbinding but it does not give as strong a background in this field as NBSS. According to the NBSS website “students spend the first year learning the fundamentals of bookbinding including tool use and modifications, non-adhesive bindings, cloth and paper bindings of various styles, edition bindings and an introduction to book repair and conservation (NBSS, 2011).” Conservation and repair projects include repair of cloth and paper bindings, paper repair, making boxes and enclosures and documentation.
In the second year students focus on leather binding and if they are interested in conservation learn how to do board reattachment techniques. Advanced paper treatments including washing and other deacidification and other conservation procedures are also covered. Guest bookbinders and conservators visit the program regularly to provide master classes and share their experiences with students. The program also includes fieldtrips and internships so students can visit libraries and museums to see bookbinders and conservationists at work. Graduate internships and fellowships are also available and the school’s job placement for graduates from the program is excellent. Many top notch universities snatch up graduates.
Conclusion
The three education programs I’ve discussed in this paper all seem to provide excellent exposure to the hands-on knowledge necessary to become a paper conservationist. Unfortunately I am not really in a position to review any of them as I have not yet enrolled in any of their courses or workshops. I did spend a few hours previewing the NEDCC’s Preservation 101 online class and I found it to be full of helpful information to improve our preservation program at the Cyrenius H Booth Library where I work. I think their workshops may be even better and I plan on attending the Basic Repair Workshop which is an introduction to the basic procedures of paper conservation this spring. The four week workshop in Italy sounds like a lot more fun, though it’s a little bit of a pipe dream as it’s doubtful my library board would foot the bill. My first choice if money and time were not an issue would be a two year stint at NBSS. Of all the programs I researched for this paper NBSS seemed to truly teach the craftsmanship and art of a well constructed book. In this day of the e-books the beauty of a well-bound tome seems increasingly precious and something that should be encouraged at all costs. I worry that this skill is becoming obsolete. While I may be too old to enroll in a two year bookbinding program I hope younger bibliophiles will take advantage of this great opportunity and continue this wonderful craft. We need not only preserve the books already in existence but also create new ones.
I am excited at the prospect of preserving and restoring the books at my library and think the classes offered online and in-person can help me achieve this goal. The job of a paper conservator is important and valuable work. Every library needs to have someone on staff who understands the importance and is also able to educate others on the preventive and restorative practices. As libraries become more collaborative and pool their resources in an effort to reduce costs and share resources I think it would be very productive to have a paper conservator oversee all of the conservation technicians working at the various libraries. The lead paper conservator would be responsible for training and making certain that all of the libraries followed the same safe practices. Supplies and expensive equipment could be shared. A conservation lab could be maintained at one site and shared, thus allowing for a huge savings.
While no one can deny the importance of conservation work funding continues to be a huge issue and some of the programs have faced severe cuts. The National Endowment for the Arts ceased funding training in art conservation back in 1995. And yet there are signs of growth. University of Delaware expanded their program in 2006 to include a Ph.D. in preservation. So steps both forward and backwards. Preservation of paper manuscripts and other materials should be a priority in all institutions, both public and private because if deterioration is not addressed there comes a time when it will be too late. In reviewing the many courses, workshops, webinars, and conferences available, one thing becomes abundantly clear, and that’s – there is a lot to learn and you’ll never know it all, but take advantage of as much as you can, it will be benefit both you and your library, and most of all the wonderful paper treasures that surround us.
Sources Used
American Institute for Conservation 2011. 28, October 2011 http://www.conservation-us.org/
American Library Association 2011. 27, October 2011 http://wwwala.org
Amigos Library Services 2011. 23, October 2011 Preservation Services http://www.amigos.org/node 670.
Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) 2011. 29, October 2011
http://www.ala.org/mgrps/divs/alcts/conferents/index.cfin.
Association of North American Graduate Programs in Conservation 2011. 23, October 2011
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/anagpic/studentpapers.htm.
Conservation Online 2011. 23, October 2011 http://cool.conservation-us.org/index
Getty Conservation Institute 2011 23, October 2011 http://ww.getty.edu/conservation
Institute of Conservation 2011 Training in Conservation 29, October 2011 http://www.icon..org.uk/
Library of Congress Preservation Directorate 2011 23, October 2011 http://www.loc.gov/preservation/index.html
McCrady, Ellen. Abbey Newsletter, Training in Paper Conservation, February 1983.
North Bennet Street School 2011 29, October 2011 http://www.nbss.edu
Northeast Document Conservation Center 2011 29, October 2011
http://www.nedcc.org/education/training.calendar.php
San Francisco Center for the Book 2011. 30, October 2011. www.http://sfcb.org/workshops
San Gemini Preservation Studies 2011. 28, October 2011 http://sangeeministudies.info/programs/list-of-programs/s2-3
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute 2011. 23, October 2011 http://www.si.edu/mci.edu/mci/english/prfessional_development/fellowships_internships.html.
University of Delaware 2011. 23, October 2011 http://www.artcons.udel.edu/jobs-internships/internships
University of Texas at Austin 2011. Harry Ransom Center 23, October 2011 http://www.hrcutexas.edu/conservation/paper
Western Association for Art Conservator 2011. 23, October 2011 –WAAC Workshops http://cool.conservation-us.org/waac/file.html
ILS 650 – Preservation of Library Materials Fall 2011
Dr. Josephine Sche
Kimberley Weber
November 6, 2011
Introduction
If I could do it all over again and was at the beginning of my educational journey as opposed to the end, I would love to go back to school full time to get an advanced degree in preservation of library materials so that I could become a professional conservator with a special emphasis on paper conservation for books and manuscripts. Some of the most fascinating and rewarding careers in librarianship fall under the specialty of conservation preservation; these positions can provide you with a real sense of purpose and the feeling that you are doing something truly valuable and important. What can be more exciting than helping to rescue historic and cultural treasures from the ravages of time? Preserving books, maps, documents and personal papers for future generations to study and enjoy provides you with a great reason to go to work in the morning. Conservation is a truly interdisciplinary field as it links humanities, science, librarianship and craftsmanship in a very profound way. Since I became aware of the paper conservation field late in the game I have neither the time nor the resources to pursue these advanced degrees. Fortunately for me there are other options.
Overview of Paper Conservation Training
There are a variety of ways to learn paper conservation. Many prestigious universities in the United States, Canada, South America and Europe have both Masters and Ph.D. programs in conservation and preservation. The University of Delaware, Columbia University, Buffalo State, University of Texas at Austin and University College of London all have excellent programs that are world renown. The various programs are found in a variety of departments including Library Science, Art Conservation, Architectural Conservation and Museum Studies. Of these degree programs UT-Austin’s is the most impressive and the one designed specifically for library conservation work. Their state of the arts conservation lab has an impressive array of tools and equipment including stereo and polarizing microscopes for in-depth study of materials, an assortment of bindery presses plus an elephant trunk extraction system which is used when cleaning molds and toxic solvents.
There are some really great continuing education opportunities that include workshops, webinars, conferences, field training and internships through well respected conservation centers such as the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC), The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), and the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). These programs are designed for librarians and other collection managers learning to gain expertise in paper conservation. While these seminars and workshops do not equal formal full-time academic work in a masters or Ph.D. program they still provide excellent information on some of the big issues in conservation and preservation work and can be extremely helpful to a librarian hoping to develop and/or improve the preservation program at his/her library.
Skills Required of a Paper Conservationist
To be a knowledgeable paper conservator you should have a strong background in the humanities, and preferably a love of history, as this will provide you with an understanding of the historical and cultural value of the manuscript or book you are considering for restoration or stabilization. A love of languages would also be useful. You also must have a working knowledge of science, particularly chemistry, so that you can properly analyze and research the condition of the item, as well as understand the properties of the ink, paper and other elements used. It is important to understand how the different components interact with one another and also how they respond to environmental factors such as light, heat, and moisture. Good lab skills are a must. Designing stability tests, knowing how to do a surface cleaning, stain reduction, bathing and drying methods of paper materials, mending tears, tipping in paper inserts, pulp fills, plus matting and framing are all important conservation treatments and should be a big part of a conservator’s training. The bench skills often require a blend of scientific knowledge and artistic craftsmanship. Manual dexterity and a delicate touch help with mends and bookbinding. Some of the basic bench work would be handled by conservation technicians but overseen by the lead paper conservator. Technician positions often do not require special degrees as many conservation programs prefer to train their people in-house for better control of procedures.
Finally, the fundamentals of librarianship play a huge role in successful paper conservation, and this takes many forms. Documentation on the condition of the item is an important step prior to treatment as is cataloging once restoration has been completed. The public gains access to items through digitization or encapsulation as many items are too fragile to be handled directly by the public, although often digitization and other reformatting techniques are most often handled by specialists other than paper conservationists. A good understanding of how to store, exhibit, and transport valuable manuscripts is also essential. And finally grant writing is key. Finding the money to fund conservation projects becomes increasingly important and can take up a huge percentage of a conservationist’s day.
Conservationists play an increasingly important role as many paper based documents in our educational institutions age and become brittle due to the acid reactions in paper. More than ever depositories of priceless paper based materials need to learn about environmental controls. Conservationists are responsible for both restorative and preventative work.
To summarize, a successful conservation program should teach three key topics. They are 1. knowing how to manage the exhibit/storage environment, 2.) proficiency in proper storage including creation of containers and protective coverings and 3.) sound repair practices and when appropriate knowing when it’s time to call in an expert. For this paper I would like to examine three different paper conservation programs, all with slightly different foci and yet all which successfully teach the most important components of a good paper conservation program. Northeast Document Conservation Center provides an assortment of webinars, workshops, conferences and online courses. San Gemini Preservation Studies, which is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin sponsors a field trip to Italy which focuses on both course and lab work. Finally North Bennet Street School offers both workshops and degree programs in bookbinding as an art but also emphasizes sound preservation and paper repair.
Education Program 1 – Northeast Document Conservation Center
The Northeast Document Conservation Center is a nonprofit, regional conservation center specializing in the preservation of paper based materials and serves libraries, museums, archives, historical societies as well as other collections holding institutions (NEDCC, 2011). It offers a wide range of training options for people new to the field of paper conservation as well as for those interested in continuing their education. Full or half day workshops, webinars, conferences and something they call Preservation 101 are all available at reasonable prices. The preservation toolkit is another option that is useful for conservators who want to stay up to date on new trends in the field and who are responsible for developing programs for their institution. The toolkit runs for a semester and is sponsored by the Institute of Museums and Library Services.
Many of the workshops described on the NEDCC website provide good information on both preventive and restorative methods including classes on basic paper repair, intermediate book repair, protective enclosures, preparing collection materials for exhibits and preservation of oversize paper artifacts. These five courses provide practical knowledge and skills that would allow me to bring a sound preservation policy to my library.
The two book repair classes teach an understanding of the complexity of paper conservation skills. They provide practical information on setting up an in-house book repair program and also advise you when you need to send items out to a more skilled conservator. In the class you learn about paper properties and are offered sound solutions to common problems normally associated with unbound materials such as prints, maps, and documents. Students get some real hands on experience and learn how to mend, surface clean, and flatten paper. The classes also go over repair techniques that can damage your materials further and so should be avoided.
The class on protective enclosures is another class I’d like to take. Inexpensive methods are used to create chemically stable enclosures for pamphlets and other archival materials. Preparing collection materials for exhibits is another concern of the paper conservationist working in the public library setting and the course offered at the NEDCC gives students good information on how to mount books, manuscripts and documents safely. A separate class on the preservation of oversize works is also offered. These awkward materials have their own needs and issues. Handling and storage issues are also discussed.
An interesting offering via the NEDCC is “Preservation 101: Preservation Basics for Paper and Media Collections” which is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEDCC, 2011). It is offered in two very convenient ways, especially for us online students who like to work in our slippers. You can choose an instructor led online course once a year (begins January 12, 2012) or a free self-paced course at any time. The instructor led course earns you 15 Archival Recertification Credits (ARCs) while the self guided course does not. Both courses provide you with the necessary tools to build a preservation program for your institution. I previewed the free self-paced course which is comprised of eight two hour units. Each unit has eight sections with a final project at the end to help you achieve a conservation policy. The reading is a little bit dry and unfortunately the information provided seems to be the same as what can easily be found other places. However the exercises at the end of the units are comprised of surveys which encourage you to explore, evaluate, and identify your institution’s particular issues so at the end of the course you will end up with a good plan of action.
The NEDCC also sponsors conferences on conservation related subjects each year. The conference this year will take place June 2012 with a focus on “Digital Directions – Creation-Curation Use,” an interesting topic but one only loosely associated with paper conservation. The NEDCC also has a lot of pamphlets, leaflets and newsletters which are easily downloaded; one of these of special interest to small and medium sized libraries offers step-by-step assistance in planning successful collection preservation without spending a lot of money.
Education Program 2 – San Gemini Preservation Studies University of Wisconsin – Introduction to Restoration of Paper in Books and Artwork
If money was no object and if I could justify leaving my family for a month this is the program I would love to do! For the month of July students can travel to San Gemini, a hillside town between Rome and Florence, and get both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the field of conservation and restoration of paper. The program is run through the University of Wisconsin and is very popular. The trip is part field work and part class work and is designed for two types of students; those planning on becoming paper conservationists and those who will be managing paper based resources in libraries. The course meets Monday through Friday for four weeks with two and one half hour lectures each morning and then a four hour lab each afternoon. The syllabus is ambitious but all of the topics seem relevant for a firm understanding of paper conservation topics. The website says that the classes are geared to a wide level of expertise but a rigorous application process weeds out anyone who does not have sufficient preliminary knowledge.
The lecture topics include the evolution of the book tracing its various formats; from clay, wax, metal, papyrus and animal skins up to paper (no eBooks yet). Other fascinating topics include the structure of the book, deterioration of books, chemistry of paper, restoration of bindings, restoration of artwork on paper and methods of etching type.
The lab topics are incredibly worthwhile and cover all the topics that would appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in paper conservation. Students will learn how to do the most commonly used techniques in book restoration including dry cleaning, washing, deacidification, sizing, drying, reintegration of tears and missing sections, flattening with presses, signature, techniques for sewing the quires, and leather cover construction. After just one month (and in Italy no less), you can learn all of the conservation basics and would be an asset to a library in need of a conservation program.
Education Program 3 – North Bennet Street School - Bookbinding
North Bennet Street School was established in 1885 in Boston’s North End as a trade school of sorts, for the purpose of training newly arriving immigrants in vocations that would guarantee them success in their new homeland. In the last 100 years the school’s programs have evolved and yet they are still committed “to provide intensive, hands-on training in traditional trades and fine craftsmanship, helping students to achieve meaningful lives and livelihoods (NBSS, 2011).”
It is a little bit of a stretch to call North Bennet Street School (NBSS) a continuing education program. It is really much bigger than that, the four part workshops are intense and pricey but are so well done that you’re going to want to continue with your education and sign on for their degree program. The two year degree programs are quite rigorous and all of the reviews I read online say the work is demanding. The school is especially designed to teach fine craftsmanship in an assortment of areas, from fine furniture making to jewelry making to bookbinding. Of all the training programs I analyzed the one which I found the most interesting was the bookbinding classes offered at the NBSS. The bookbinding course which began in 1986 “attracts students who share a passion for books and materials, problem-solving, the creative process of working with their hands to make, restore and preserve books and other printed cultural treasures (NBSS, 2011).” Students who finish the course are often sought after by prestigious libraries with impressive conservation programs. I met a graduate in Vermont last summer who has her own studio and also works for the Dartmouth Library on a variety of interesting projects.
While the focus of NBSS is on bookbinding, conservation and preservation issues are still a major theme. San Francisco Center for the Book, another craft school also offers bookbinding but it does not give as strong a background in this field as NBSS. According to the NBSS website “students spend the first year learning the fundamentals of bookbinding including tool use and modifications, non-adhesive bindings, cloth and paper bindings of various styles, edition bindings and an introduction to book repair and conservation (NBSS, 2011).” Conservation and repair projects include repair of cloth and paper bindings, paper repair, making boxes and enclosures and documentation.
In the second year students focus on leather binding and if they are interested in conservation learn how to do board reattachment techniques. Advanced paper treatments including washing and other deacidification and other conservation procedures are also covered. Guest bookbinders and conservators visit the program regularly to provide master classes and share their experiences with students. The program also includes fieldtrips and internships so students can visit libraries and museums to see bookbinders and conservationists at work. Graduate internships and fellowships are also available and the school’s job placement for graduates from the program is excellent. Many top notch universities snatch up graduates.
Conclusion
The three education programs I’ve discussed in this paper all seem to provide excellent exposure to the hands-on knowledge necessary to become a paper conservationist. Unfortunately I am not really in a position to review any of them as I have not yet enrolled in any of their courses or workshops. I did spend a few hours previewing the NEDCC’s Preservation 101 online class and I found it to be full of helpful information to improve our preservation program at the Cyrenius H Booth Library where I work. I think their workshops may be even better and I plan on attending the Basic Repair Workshop which is an introduction to the basic procedures of paper conservation this spring. The four week workshop in Italy sounds like a lot more fun, though it’s a little bit of a pipe dream as it’s doubtful my library board would foot the bill. My first choice if money and time were not an issue would be a two year stint at NBSS. Of all the programs I researched for this paper NBSS seemed to truly teach the craftsmanship and art of a well constructed book. In this day of the e-books the beauty of a well-bound tome seems increasingly precious and something that should be encouraged at all costs. I worry that this skill is becoming obsolete. While I may be too old to enroll in a two year bookbinding program I hope younger bibliophiles will take advantage of this great opportunity and continue this wonderful craft. We need not only preserve the books already in existence but also create new ones.
I am excited at the prospect of preserving and restoring the books at my library and think the classes offered online and in-person can help me achieve this goal. The job of a paper conservator is important and valuable work. Every library needs to have someone on staff who understands the importance and is also able to educate others on the preventive and restorative practices. As libraries become more collaborative and pool their resources in an effort to reduce costs and share resources I think it would be very productive to have a paper conservator oversee all of the conservation technicians working at the various libraries. The lead paper conservator would be responsible for training and making certain that all of the libraries followed the same safe practices. Supplies and expensive equipment could be shared. A conservation lab could be maintained at one site and shared, thus allowing for a huge savings.
While no one can deny the importance of conservation work funding continues to be a huge issue and some of the programs have faced severe cuts. The National Endowment for the Arts ceased funding training in art conservation back in 1995. And yet there are signs of growth. University of Delaware expanded their program in 2006 to include a Ph.D. in preservation. So steps both forward and backwards. Preservation of paper manuscripts and other materials should be a priority in all institutions, both public and private because if deterioration is not addressed there comes a time when it will be too late. In reviewing the many courses, workshops, webinars, and conferences available, one thing becomes abundantly clear, and that’s – there is a lot to learn and you’ll never know it all, but take advantage of as much as you can, it will be benefit both you and your library, and most of all the wonderful paper treasures that surround us.
Sources Used
American Institute for Conservation 2011. 28, October 2011 http://www.conservation-us.org/
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Amigos Library Services 2011. 23, October 2011 Preservation Services http://www.amigos.org/node 670.
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http://www.ala.org/mgrps/divs/alcts/conferents/index.cfin.
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http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/anagpic/studentpapers.htm.
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Institute of Conservation 2011 Training in Conservation 29, October 2011 http://www.icon..org.uk/
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McCrady, Ellen. Abbey Newsletter, Training in Paper Conservation, February 1983.
North Bennet Street School 2011 29, October 2011 http://www.nbss.edu
Northeast Document Conservation Center 2011 29, October 2011
http://www.nedcc.org/education/training.calendar.php
San Francisco Center for the Book 2011. 30, October 2011. www.http://sfcb.org/workshops
San Gemini Preservation Studies 2011. 28, October 2011 http://sangeeministudies.info/programs/list-of-programs/s2-3
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute 2011. 23, October 2011 http://www.si.edu/mci.edu/mci/english/prfessional_development/fellowships_internships.html.
University of Delaware 2011. 23, October 2011 http://www.artcons.udel.edu/jobs-internships/internships
University of Texas at Austin 2011. Harry Ransom Center 23, October 2011 http://www.hrcutexas.edu/conservation/paper
Western Association for Art Conservator 2011. 23, October 2011 –WAAC Workshops http://cool.conservation-us.org/waac/file.html