Conservation
Conservators treat damaged or deteriorated items to reduce the risk of damage to them while they are being used, thus enabling access for research and exhibition. Prolonging the life of collection items by applying a range of treatments from simply boxing, to full repair and conservation of bindings is the core work of the Conservation section.
Conserving damaged material
The Conservation section at the British Library is one of the largest departments of its kind in the world with over 70 conservators working principally in the areas of paper and book conservation.
Conservation works closely with other areas of Collection Care and with curators to determine the optimum treatments for collection items that have been identified as requiring treatment. Factors that are considered in developing treatment proposals include:
- The type of item
- The nature of the damage
- The levels of deterioration of the component materials
- The history of the item
- The culture from which has come.
- The importance or uniqueness of the item
- The type and frequency of use
- Conservation ethics, which require respect for the historical integrity of items and the preservation of evidence. Thus conservators strive to minimise the impact of the treatments on the items they treat. However, any treatment may result in evidence being obscured or made less apparent – especially in the context of a research library where collection items are handled and used. Examination and documentation is therefore vitally important.
The British Library’s conservators come from a range of backgrounds providing a wealth of skills and knowledge.
Further Information
- Featured Conservation Project
- Treatment Review
- Bidding, Estimating and Programming
- Conservation, Exhibitions & Treasures Rotation
- Conservator Profile
