What is the difference between "preservation" and "conservation?"

What core services does the Conservation Services Department provide?

Where do the materials come from that are in the conservation lab?

How do you learn to be a conservator?

I have a book that needs to be fixed, can Duke do that for me?

Do you have a blog? Yes we do, it's called Preservation Underground

Are you on Facebook? Yes we are on FaceBook.

 

What is the difference between Preservation and Conservation?

The core mission of a preservation program is to keep materials in usable condition for both current and future users. This includes monitoring the environment, providing training for the safe handling of materials, plan and train for disasters, and develop sound policies that will extend the use of the collections.

Conservation, a subset of preservation, focuses on the physical protection and treatment of materials. Our goal is to save as much of the original materials as possible while being sure that they can be safely used by patrons without causing further loss or damage.

For up-to-date information, be sure to follow us on Preservation Underground and FaceBook.

What core services does the Conservation Services Department provide?

Our staff provides the following services to the libraries:

• Conservation services for books, flat paper, and some non-print media

• Construction of custom housings

• Pamphlet binding

• CoLibri™ book jackets for the New & Noteworthy and similar collections

• Exhibit preparation

• Digitization project support (pre- and post-imaging conservation services)

• Disaster recovery

• Care and handling training

• Outreach and education

 

Where do the materials come from that are in the conservation lab?

We get materials from both general collections (circulating) and special collections (non-circulating) from the Perkins Library System. They can come from several workflows including technical services, circulation, exhibits and digitization projects.

Currently about 39% of our work is from Perkins Library and 42% from the Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The remaining work comes from the Music Library, Lilly Library and our other branches. We also provide conservation services for the Divinity School Library.

Our fastest growing workflows are those that support the Library’s Exhibit Program and Digital Collections Program.

 

How do you learn to be a conservator?

There are many paths to the conservation profession including learning from a master conservator (the traditional apprenticeship model) or through a post graduate masters program in conservation of cultural property. The following links provide more information on some of the training opportunities available in the U.S. and abroad. Listing does not imply endorsement by Duke University or Duke University Libraries.

Art Conservation Training on Wikipedia (an extensive listing of U.S. and non-U.S. programs)

University of Deleware/Winterthur (this program has a library-conservation track)

Buffalo State University

New York University

Queens University (Canada)

Camberwell University (England)

Northumbria University (England)

 

There are many places in the U.S. to learn general bookbinding, some of these are listed below. Listing does not imply endorsement by Duke University or Duke University Libraries.

Guild of Bookworkers

North Bennet Street School

University of Iowa Center for the Book

American Academy of Bookbinding

Garage Annex School

Asheville Book Works

 

I have a book that needs to be fixed, can Duke do that for me?

DUL Conservation Services does not take private work. The following resources can help you find and work with a conservator either in private practice or at a regional conservation center. We encourage you to read the AIC documents on finding, choosing and working with a conservator prior to hiring a private conservator or sending your materials to a regional conservation center. All AIC members agree to working within the AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines of Practice. That document is also listed below.

If after reading the AIC documentation you still have questions, please contact the Head of Conservation Services at 919-660-5985. The University of Michigan has a brief but detailed document called "Please Repair My Book" that outlines things to consider prior to talking to a conservator or bookbinder. Also see our Useful Resources section for more information.

American Institute for Conservation (AIC)

• Find a conservator
• How to choose a conservator
• How to care for your treasures
• AIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines of Practice

Regional Conservation Centers. Listing does not imply endorsement by Duke University or Duke University Libraries.

• Center for the Conservation of Art and Historic Artifacts (PA)
• Northeast Document Conservation Center (MA)
• Etherington Conservation Services (NC)
• Upper Midwest Conservation Center (MN)

Many independent bookbinders offer boxing and repair services. Again, you should read the AIC documentation prior to hiring someone. You can often find reputable bookbinders through the Guild of Bookworkers or other regional bookbinding associations.