Sneak Peek into Preservation

After a two year hiatus, the Preservation Lab once again was able to celebrate the American Library Association’s Preservation Week.  And this year, the lab decided to take Preservation Week to the public. 

On the morning of April 21st, Catarina and Jessica took one of the lab’s rolling work tables to the entrance of the Langsam library. There they set up a demonstration area with some very dirty books, to show the public a little bit about surface cleaning. They brought out the different supplies used in surface cleaning (such as hydrophilic sponges, smoke sponges, eraser crumbles and vinyl erasers). In addition to surface cleaning materials, Jessica and Catarina also brought some Japanese tissue for the public to touch and learn about tear repair.

Jessica uses a sponge to clean soot off a book.
Jessica is actively surface cleaning a very grimy book.
Catarina uses a sponge to clean soot off a book.
Catarina is surface cleaning a dirty book using a hydrophilic sponge.
Close up of Catarina using a sponge to clean soot off a book. To the right is also supplies required for repairing paper tears in books such as paste jars, brushes, tweezers, and water dishes.
Another view of the entire set up with a tear repair station.

A few members of the public were too nervous to even try to surface clean a little bit of the dirty books (all filled with soot from coal burning stoves), but others were brave enough and felt that surface cleaning was a very satisfying and relaxing treatment.

Student using a sponge to clean front of book. Sponge moving from center of page towards edge.
Jessica encouraging a UC student to try to surface clean.
Catarina showing patron the broken inner hinge of a book.
Catarina explaining why surface cleaning was the first step to repair the broken inner joint.

In the afternoon of the same day, Chris and Hyacinth showed the public a variety of enclosures and how they are made from beginning to end. There were corrugated clamshell boxes, one with an integrated cradle, cloth clamshell boxes, tuxedo boxes and a Japanese four-sided enclosure.

Chris also brought a corrugated clamshell in its early stages to show the public how the process of making a corrugated clamshell begins.

Chris and Hyacinth behind table that displays various enclosures to protect books. Enclosures are made of binder board, corrugated blue board, and book clothe.
Chris and Hyacinth showing their display of models and enclosures.
Students and Hyacinth with the 4-flap Japanese enclosure open. The 4 flaps form a cross with the book laid in the center.
Hyacinth explaining to some UC students the different Japanese four-sided enclosure compared to other enclosures.
Table with various corrugated boxes highlighted, including one box that has a built in cradle.
The different enclosures that Chris and Hyacinth showed to the public.
Three library visitors and Hyacinth at the table displaying various enclosures.
Hyacinth sharing with an interested public.

The crowd favorites were the elaborate cloth covered clamshell box made by Chris, and the beautiful Japanese four-sided enclosure made by Hyacinth.

Even though this was a smaller event compared to our open house tours of the past, the event was a success; allowing the Preservation Lab staff  to share with the  UC community a peek into our daily work and explain what goes on in the Preservation Lab. But Preservation week is not done yet…

This upcoming Friday, April 29th at 1 pm, join Holly and Ashleigh at the Clifton Branch of the  Cincinnati and Hamilton Public Library, .They will be showing some books models, explaining how books are made and what materials are used. You can find more details in the following link: https://cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/625422b5cd8e792f000bcfc5

Catarina Figueirinhas (UCL) —- Assistant Conservator