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