services

conservation

Book Conservation

NEDCC conservators perform a wide variety of book conservation with work ranging from basic stabilization to extensive chemical, structural, and cosmetic treatment of both pages and bindings.  Conservation standards are employed and materials that are stable and durable are used in all work. The book conservation staff has extensive experience in both book and paper conservation techniques.

Written and photographic records of treatment are prepared for each object. This documentation records the appearance and condition of a book prior to treatment, describes the treatment performed, and specifies materials used in treatment. Written records are supplemented by photographs taken before, after, and sometimes during treatment.

Treatment can range from minimal to extensive. Basic stabilization is the minimal level of treatment required to slow deterioration of a book. It excludes all cosmetic treatments and many structural repairs. Basic stabilization is frequently chosen for books of limited value or for those that receive little use. It is also appropriate for books that are valuable as historic objects or artifacts. Since treatment always results in at least slight alteration of the original object, boxing is sometimes preferable to treatment of artifacts. For example, early printed books in contemporary bindings may be boxed rather than treated.

If artifactual value is not of the utmost importance, a book is repaired using as much of the original binding as possible. Many volumes treated at NEDCC are used both for research and exhibit. Because of this dual use, they must be structurally sound while retaining their original appearance.

These volumes may require extensive treatment of both pages and binding. Conservation treatment may include chemical and physical treatment, some of which may be cosmetic. Disbinding, surface cleaning, washing, aqueous or nonaqueous deacidification, mending and guarding of pages, and resewing are all techniques that may be undertaken to stabilize the text block. For books that have partially or completely detached boards or spines, rebacking is a means of repairing the original bindings and reattaching them to the text. If the original binding is too deteriorated to reuse, the book is rebound in one of a variety of binding styles (case, split-board, or laced-in structure) and titled. Extensive treatment is usually reserved for books of high value.

The work of the book lab is coordinated with the work of other departments. The book and paper labs collaborate to treat bound volumes with significant visual components such as photograph albums, early hand-colored atlases, other heavily illustrated volumes, and artists' books. Book conservators often work closely with NEDCC's Imaging department to provide microfilm and digital copies of volumes. This is especially important for frequently used volumes, volumes that contain original material, and those that remain fragile following treatment. Conservators also assist the field service staff, conducting collections and item-by-item surveys, teaching workshops, and answering technical inquiries.

Since the cost of treatment depends on the condition of the object and the type of treatment required, NEDCC's conservators examine each object prior to preparing a treatment proposal and cost estimate. Objects can be brought to NEDCC or shipped to us for examination. Packing and shipping instructions are available.

The book conservation laboratory staff welcomes the opportunity to discuss your collections conservation needs.

For more information, contact Deborah Wender, Director of Book Conservation,  (978) 470-1010, ext. 234, wender@nedcc.org.