News
Find out the latest developments and news from Collection Care.
- The National Heritage Science Strategy- Updates:
- Conservation of the Codex Sinaiticus:
- British Library Press statement: The Lindisfarne Gospels
National Heritage Science Strategy Stakeholder Meeting, Tower of London, 25 November 2009
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee inquiry on Science and Heritage called for the production of a national heritage science strategy. Work on developing this strategy has now been underway for almost a year. In September a third and final evidence report was published. During October and November the steering group worked to identify strategic themes which were discussed at a stakeholder meeting to ensure sector involvement in the development of the strategy. Baroness Sharp of Guildford, strong supporter of the NHSS, gave the welcome and introduction at the stakeholder meeting. The attendees included over fifty professionals from higher education, museums, libraries, archives and archeology institutions. The meeting explored elements of the emerging strategy and strengthened bonds between disciplines and addressed collaboration, capacity building and public interest. The strategy will be available in full early 2010 on the NHSS website.
National Heritage Science Strategy Steering Group (NHSS) Meeting, 24-25 September 2009
On the 24 and 25 September 2009 Collection Care hosted a meeting of the National Heritage Science Strategy Steering Group (NHSS). The Steering Group is in the process of producing a UK strategy for heritage science across all fields of the movable and immovable heritage by early 2010. Helen Shenton, Head of Collection Care, represents the library and archive sector as a member of the Steering Group. The meeting was followed by a reception to mark the publication of the “Advances in Paper Conservation Research” Conference proceedings (held 23-24 March 2009 at the British Library). Project manager Velson Horie and colleagues from other copyright libraries and national archives who had collaborated on the project were warmly acknowledged. Baroness Sharp of Guildford, Chair of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee was especially thanked for her support.
Related links:
> Reports 1, 2 and 3 are now available in full on the NHSS website
> Advances in Paper Conservation Research Conference proceedings
> A Stewardship Research Strategy for the British Library 2008-2011
> House of Lords Science and Technology Committee 8th Report of Session 2006-07
Developing a national strategy for heritage science
A steering working group consisting of representatives from across the heritage sector has been appointed to develop a National Heritage for Science Strategy. In July 2007 a group of heritage scientists and conservators met at the British Library to start the process of developing a National Strategy for Heritage Science, as recommended by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee. The steering working group has now been appointed to take this forward.
The Chair will be Sarah Staniforth, Historic Properties Director at the National Trust, supported by:
- Peter Brimblecombe, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, University of East Anglia
- Craig Kennedy, Head of Science, Historic Scotland
- Katy Lithgow, Head Conservator, National Trust
- Alastair McCapra, Chief Executive, Institute of Conservation
- Nicholas Merriman, Director, Manchester Museum
- Sebastian Payne, Chief Scientist, English Heritage
- Mark Pollard, Professor of Archaeological Science, University of Oxford
- Helen Shenton, Head of Collection Care, The British Library
- Jim Tate, Head of the Department of Conservation and Analytical Research, National Museums Scotland
- Heather Viles, Reader in Geomorphology, University of Oxford
- David Watkinson, Senior Lecturer in Conservation, Cardiff University
Dr Jim Williams, former Regional Archaeological Science Advisor at English Heritage, has been appointed as Co-ordinator and will produce three reports which will:
- identify and prioritise areas where lack of scientific or technological knowledge imperils the physical survival of different types of cultural assets;
- identify and prioritise areas where there are particular reasons or opportunities to improve our capacity to learn more about the physical remains of the past by scientific means;
- identify and prioritise gaps and opportunities for improvement.
The steering group will formulate the National Strategy for Heritage Science on the basis of these reports. The first draft of the strategy should be completed by summer 2009.
Codex Sinaiticus, Manuscripts in the Digital Age Conference
Hosted by The National Library of Russia as part of the Zagrebin Readings, the international research conference entitled: ‘CODEX SINAITICUS, MANUSCRIPTS IN THE DIGITAL’ AGE; focused on the Codex Sinaiticus Digitisation Project and related developments in the digitization of manuscripts. British Library conservator Gavin Moorhead presented an overview of the British Library Conservation activity for the Codex Sinaiticus Project. His paper, ‘From Parchment to Pixel: Preparing for the Journey into Cyberspace’ included an explanation of the condition documentation and assessment methodology, a brief description of the conservation treatment of the folios held by the British Library and a summary of the analysis of the physical features so far.
The conference marked an end to the British Library Conservation department’s active participation in the project. There was general acknowledgement and positive feedback of the success of the project.
From Parchment to Pixel: Preparing for the Journey into Cyberspace - PDF format 2.21 MB
Gavin Moorhead, conservator at the British Library, presenting at the conference
