Fun with PhotoDoc (Edition 10)

Since it’s Tuesday, but you’re probably wishing it was Friday, I  thought I’d share some fun gifs of a 16th century German ophthalmolgy book from UC’s Archives & Rare Books Library that was recently treated and returned.  But first, let’s take a look at the treatment carried out by our conservator, Ashleigh Schieszer.

This full vellum binding suffered the same fate as many other stiff board vellum bindings:  significantly warped boards, a result of fluctuations in humidity.  The volume arrived in the lab with vellum losses along the head and tail of the spine.  There was also evidence of two ties at the fore edge that would have originally been used to keep the boards from warping, however, all but a small fragment of these ties were lost.  Ashleigh humidified and flattened the upper and lower boards and added new alum-tawed ties sympathetic to the placement and size of the original ties.  The binding was then housed in a cloth covered compression clamshell (created by our box-making magician, Chris) to help keep the boards from warping in the future.

Here you can see the fragment of the original tie with the new tie inserted below it.


Now onto the gifs.  This volume has several anatomical flap prints that explore the inner working of the eye.  Here are two of the flap prints, one which takes a look at the brain from above and another that examines the eye from the side:

We were in luck that these particular anatomical flap prints were in relatively good condition when they came to the lab.  However, that is usually not the case with these very fragile multi-component prints.  If you are interested in the learning more about the history, treatment and exhibition of these prints, check out Meg Brown’s article “Flip, Flap and Crack”.
Jessica Ebert [UCL] – Conservation Tech/Photographic Documentation Tech

2019 Preservation Week Open House

Chris Voynovich discussing papyrus and paper with attendees


We celebrated Preservation Week (a week late) with our Annual Preservation Open House, and we want to thank everyone who was able to stop by!  This year we took a step back through time to share a brief history of the book, starting with some examples of cuneiform tablets and ending with a modern e-reader and computer technology.  By displaying our staffs‘ models of book structures through time, visitors were able to take a hands-on approach to understanding how these structures were made, used, and evolved.  This is information we use to inform the work we do in preservation every day.

Examples of early codices, including clay tablets, single quires, multi-quires, wooden tablets, rolls and scrolls


14th to 19th century models


We were also able to show recent conservation projects, including a two-volume set of a 17th century German bible, which highlighted what one volume looked like before treatment and what the other looked like after treatment.  Another item in the lab for treatment is an oversized missal, which received RTI to offer a closer look at the metalwork on the binding. 
 

“An obscenely abbreviated History of the Codex by The Preservation Lab” one-page wonder


 
 
Visitors were invited to make a “One Page Wonder,” which covers an obscenely abbreviated history of the codex.  We hope this little book and the hands-on interaction helped spread preservation awareness and inspire a deeper love of the book! 
 
 
 
 
 
If you missed us this year and want to see what all the fuss is about, check out a live video posted to our UC Library Page.  We hope to see you all again at next year’s Preservation Open House! 
 
Kasie Janssen (PLCH) – Senior Conservation Technician

Historic Structures with Julia Miller

For Preservation Week, we decided to treat ourselves to the best staff development imaginable: a five day intensive workshop with Julia Miller on early historical structures.  We learned so much from Julia and we are beyond grateful for her to coming to the Lab for this workshop!  What an amazingly knowledgeable instructor and wonderful human being; thank you Julia for sharing your knowledge with us!
We will probably share a more in-depth post about what we learned later, but for right now I created a compilation video of time-lapse videos I captured during our workshop.  Hope you enjoy!

Jessica Ebert [UCL] – Conservation Tech/Photographic Documentation Tech

Upcoming OPC workshop

Our conservator Ashleigh Ferguson Schieszer will be assisting paper conservator Jamye Jamison in an upcoming Ohio Preservation Council workshop.  Seats are still available!  prints in mylar sleeves and backing paper
Workshop description: This course is for archivists, librarians, or anyone who is interested in caring for their family documents, print collections, or other ephemera. The class will begin with a short discussion of materials and what to look for when making archival enclosures for flat paper objects. Each participant will then make a small portfolio of reference samples of various enclosures for paper materials, including a simple four-flap, polyester sleeve, paper envelope and a “back and wrap” enclosure, which can be used for display. Each participant is asked to bring four objects no larger than 4 x 6 inches (roughly postcard size) that can be used to make the reference samples. No previous experience necessary.
Learn more and register at —-  http://opc.wildapricot.org/event-3357153

The Preservation Lab – in the news!

The Preservation Lab and lab staff were in the news twice this week.

UC's newspaper from March 2019

The News Record 3/27/2019


 
Check out a nice write up on the work of the Lab in the student newspaper, The News Record, HERE.
“Below the main floor of Langsam Library, where students bustle about studying, researching and caffeinating, there’s a lab where books with torn pages and cracked bindings fall into the capable hands of a team of technicians who spend their days quietly restoring texts back to working order.”  —- Sami Steward
 
 
 
Cake of an octopus

Edible book by Jessica Ebert


 
Also, Jessica Ebert was interviewed about her participation in the annual University of Cincinnati Libraries’ Edible Book Festival by the local news station.  Check it out HERE.
 
 
Holly Prochaska (UCL) — Preservation Librarian

Happy 20th Anniversary, Holly!

Our Preservation Librarian and co-manager, Holly Prochaska, is celebrating her 20th year at UC Libraries today!  Holly is such a great advocate for the Lab and the Lab staff.  She cares so much about the Lab and we wanted to show her just how much we care about her, so we planned a little surprise…See Holly’s reaction here:


Congratulations on this milestone, Holly!
Check out the Lab’s Instagram @thepreservationlab (especially our story highlights) to see more fun photos of the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) around the Lab.
Jessica Ebert [UCL] – Conservation Tech/Photographic Documentation Tech

Lab Featured in New Book & Save the Date!


 
Secret Cincinnati: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure by Kathryn Witt recently came out and you wouldn’t believe who’s featured in it…
 
 
 
 

The Preservation Lab!


When you flip to # 72 you will find a great description of the Lab’s annual Open House, where the Lab opens its doors to the public and shares a little bit about what with do.  Generally our Open House falls on ALA’s Preservation Week (the last week of April).  However, this year it will be held during this first week of May due to a scheduling conflict.
 
 
So mark your calendars!

Thursday, May 2nd, 2019 | 1:30-3:30pm

University of Cincinnati | Langsam Library | 300 Level

 
Jessica Ebert [UCL] – Conservation Technician & Photographic Documentation Tech

*Thank you to Mikaila Corday, a docent at the Lucky Cat Museum (also featured in Secret Cincinnati), for sharing the feature with us and lending us her copy of the book!

 
 

Meet Kasie Janssen, our newest Preservation Lab team member!

Meet Kasie Janssen, the newest addition to the Preservation Lab, located on UC’s Campus. Employed by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, she will be filling the position, Senior Conservation Assistant.
Welcome Kasie!
Chris Voynovich:   What drew you to conservation?

Kasie Janssen:   Actually, I was applying to go to library school at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. My initial interest was in archiving but there was not a graduate assistantship available in the archives, but there was in conservation. That was my first introduction to the field of conservation. The heavens opened because my background was English and studio art. It was the perfect melding of books, literature and tactile materials. After that, I went through two years of library school while working in the conservation lab at UIUCC.

Chris:  You came from a Conservator of Special Projects position at the Newberry. What are you looking for in this Senior Conservation Assistant position in the Preservation Lab at the Public Library of Cincinnati?

Kasie: I am excited and looking forward to concentrating on the technical side of conservation where my responsibilities are focused on collection treatment.

Chris:  Do you like Charles Dickens?

Kasie:  Yes. How did you know that?! My favorite is David Copperfield. I’ve read it almost four times. I love and have read all his novels. My interest started in undergraduate school. It was a kind of a love-hate relationship. To me, they were initially kind of dense, but I loved the humor and that was what hooked me.

Chris:  So you like the Green Bay Packers?

Kasie: Yes. I grew up watching football in Wisconsin. I am a lifelong Packers fan. My husband likes hockey, the Anaheim Ducks, so these are my two main sports to watch.

Chris:  What do you know about Cincinnati or the Tri-State?

Kasie:  Not a lot. I’ve heard about the food scene and I’ve heard of the East side vs. West side rivalry!

Chris:  Do you have a favorite conservation project you have done?

Kasie:  One of the most surprising items I was able to prepare for an exhibit was an Oscar, for Ben Hecht’s screenplay for the 1927 film Underworld, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screen Play.  It was cool to hold an Oscar, which is heavier than you would expect.

Chris:  What kind of treatments do you like doing most?

Kasie:  I like repairing a book from start to finish. It’s a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when I get a book that is completely falling apart and can do all the treatments necessary to repair.

Chris:  Favorite book?

Kasie:  Life of Pi, by Yann Martel.

Chris:  Favorite musical artist?

Kasie:  I like Folk, 80’s, Indie, depends on my mood.

Chris:  Favorite movie?

Kasie:  Shawshank Redemption.

Chris:     If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

Kasie:    I like traveling places that have a lot of nature. I guess New Zealand though it is pretty far away.  The flight is intimidating, and I know it would take a long time to get there.

Chris:     Do you have any hobbies?

Kasie:    I like hiking and biking. It’s nice to see a hill again after coming from the flat-lands of Chicago. 😀

Chris:     What is your favorite flavor birthday cake?

Kasie:    Chocolate with chocolate icing.

Chris:     Do you prefer coffee or tea?

Kasie:    Coffee.

Chris:     Do you play any musical instruments?

Kasie:    No. I’ve played piano and flute but not in 5 years. I sing sometimes…(when no one hears me).

Chris:     Do you have any pets?

Kasie:    I have a cat and a dog. The cat’s name is Dany, short for Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. My dog’s name is Brie, short for Brienne of Tarth. She is a Greyhound and she is a couch potato.

Chris:     How many cities have you lived in?

Kasie:    Five states; I was born and raised in Wisconsin.  As an adult, I’ve lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Houston, Texas, Wisconsin, and Champagne, Illinois for Grad school.  I moved to Chicago for my first job after Library school – and now to Cincinnati! But my favorite is Wisconsin because it feels like home.

Chris:     What is your favorite book structure to make?

Kasie:    I like Long Stitch bindings. The sewing structure on the outside of the spine is beautiful and so customizable.  But I always like to learn new binding structures.

Chris:     Who do you think has influenced you most personally?

Kasie:    My mom because we are really close. She is a very independent and active person. I feel like I’ve tried to follow those qualities. She is not afraid to try or get involved new things. She is a great lady.

Chris:     Do you lean more toward Vampires or Zombies?

Kasie:    Zombies. I do think the conservation lab would be a great place to be during a Zombie Apocalypse because we have all the sharp tools like a guillotine and scalpels. We know where the “safe house” is!

 
Interview by Chris Voynovich (PLCH) — Senior Conservation Assistant

A Virtual Preservation Lab Tour

Click on the link below for a virtual tour of our newly updated space:

Preservation Lab Virtual Tour Jan 2019

In October, the Preservation Lab welcomed special collections digital imaging to our workflow (for UC Libraries’ materials).  This new function necessitated a small lab renovation:

During (top three images) and after (bottom two images):

 

The results are wonderful and we are so happy to have a new staff member!

Ashleigh Ferguson Schieszer (PLCH) – Special Collections Conservator, Lab Manager