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Preservation and Conservation for Libraries and Archives
By Nelly Balloffet and Jenny Hille. Chicago: American Library Association,
2005. xix, 214 pp. Illustrations. Glossary. Bibliography. Index. $125.00.
ISBN 0-8389-0879-9.
Review essay published in American Archivist (Vol.
68, No.2, Fall/Winter 2005)
The authors of Preservation and Conservation are not only practicing
book and paper conservators, but also hold MLS degrees and have taught
workshops on various preservation subjects and conservation techniques
for a dozen years. Their love of paper materials, familiarity with archives
and libraries, and, most of all, eagerness to teach are readily conveyed
to the reader. The result is an instructional reference work, which is
clear, concise, and practical. Its focus is paper-based materials, which
still comprise the bulk of most archives and library collections. As
the title implies, roughly half of the text is dedicated to preservation, “steps
that address the overall safekeeping of all the holdings,” and
the other half to conservation, “hands-on treatment” (p.
xvii). While some of the material covered is inherently technical (e.g.,
discussions of relative humidity, light, pH, etc.), the authors avoid
inundating the reader with formulae and equations; instead they opt for
simple sentences that get to the point.
The layout makes this book particularly useful as a reference. In addition
to the standard table of contents, each chapter begins with an outline
and explanatory introduction. The simply titled sections and subsections
are clearly indicated, allowing the reader to jump to the relevant section.
Occasionally, information is repeated in more than one section so that
the reader does not miss a particularly important point (e.g., information
on determining grain direction is covered in “Getting Started” and
in “Paper Conservation Techniques”). The index is another
easy entry point. This work should be reviewed at first for general instruction
and then kept on the shelf for reference.
The book’s tone is calm. Balloffet and Hille discuss common problems
such as torn documents, broken bindings, or mold bloom. Then, they describe
possible causative factors and move on to instructing the reader on how
the problem can be remedied and prevented from reoccurring. Most topics
are coupled with simple illustrations (line drawings or black-and-white
photographs), cross references to other parts of the book, and further
recommended reading.
The chapter, “The Basics of Preservation,” covers a laundry
list of topics: environment, with a subsection titled “Coping with
Old HVAC Systems”; staff and patron education, with recommendations
for flyers, posters, or bookmarks encouraging appropriate care and handling;
disaster planning and response, which gives brief guidelines on writing
a plan without being overwhelmed by details; and storage methods and
furniture. These are all topics worth reading about, both for those of
us who have become complacent about preventive preservation techniques
and for those seeking an introduction to this subject matter.
The chapters on setting up a work space and simple preservation techniques
are equally useful. The authors give advice on what to consider if planning
a new space—whether it is eked out within administrative office
space or is a dedicated preservation workshop. Considerations include
access to water (sinks), office climate control (temperature, RH, light,
etc.), and security, as well as furnishings and equipment (cutters, presses,
hand tools, etc.). The recommendations are thorough and allow the reader
to make informed decisions and appeals to administrators. “Simple
Preservation Techniques” covers just that. In fewer than twenty
pages, an intern, new part-time employee, student, or volunteer can learn
how to make basic decisions about rehousing, how to order and select
archival supplies, what “archival supplies” means, safe-handling
procedures, and even how to make simple enclosures.
The conservation sections of the book begin with succinct overviews
of the characteristics of Japanese and Western papers as well as bookbinding
structure and terminology. These are extremely useful terms for archivists
and librarians to know in order to speak knowledgeably about collection
materials (damaged or not). The supplies needed to conduct paper and
book repairs are described at length. The instructions for repairs are
detailed and well illustrated. For paper conservation, the reader is
reminded to prepare materials by removing fasteners, surface cleaning,
and relaxing/flattening paper. The necessary steps for conservation and
repair are described in such a way that this book could serve as a training
manual. The repair techniques covered are mending tears, holes, corners
and foldout maps, attaching hinges, and guarding. The section regarding
book repair describes techniques intended for research collections, and
the authors strongly state that “rare or valuable books should
not be repaired in-house by these methods” (p. 107). The book repair
techniques covered include simple repairs to the case and text block,
as well as pamphlet binding and care of children’s books. Although
more attention is given to book repair, the section on paper is not lacking;
in fact, it covers more than most archivists are equipped or have time
to do.
Balloffet and Hille know that most archives and libraries are under
pressure to exhibit materials, so they dedicate a chapter to the topic. “Small
Exhibitions” provides guidelines for designing an exhibition, includes
sample condition report forms, and covers installing and closing the
show. The reader is instructed in all aspects of framing paper materials
and supporting books. The section on book supports is well done and allows
for custom-made book cradles without a burdensome expense.
A series of appendices complements Preservation and Conservation
for Libraries and Archives. The first, “Care of Photographs,” is
nine pages long and covers handling, rehousing and appropriate storage
enclosures, environment, kinds of damage, and conditions for display.
This is a good review for those familiar with photographs and a sound
introduction for those just starting out. The next two appendices are
listings, first vendors of supplies, conservation binderies, and salvage
companies and then “Sources of Help and Advice.” The lists
are annotated and include addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and
URLs. Hopefully, the inclusion of so much information will help the
lists stay current. The five-page glossary section includes a sampling
of technical terms, but would be more useful if defined words were
italicized within the text so that the reader knew to consult it while
reading.
I recommend reading Balloffet and Hille’s Preservation and
Conservation for Libraries and Archives is from cover-to-cover,
keeping it as a reference resource, and using it as an instruction
manual for staff. The tone of the book respects the materials for which
archivists and librarians care. It also empowers archivists and librarians
themselves by teaching us practical ways to protect our holdings.
AMY BRAITSCH
Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich ( Conn.)
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