FAQ

What is the difference between preservation and conservation?

Preservation encompasses all of the activities undertaken to preserve and extend the usable life of a collection, including maintaining a stable environment (temperature, relative humidity, light, air pollution, pest management, etc.), providing proper storage (flat storage, oversized storage, metal shelving), planning for emergencies and disaster recovery, and conservation treatments.  Conservation activities focus on the individual items within a collection and include activities that range from simple repairs to stabilize an item up to full conservation treatments and custom enclosures.

I have a personal book that needs repair. Can you fix it for me?

The Preservation Lab does not repair personal items.   For a list of professional conservators we recommend consulting with the American Institute for Conservation’s “find a conservator” webpage.

The Preservation Lab, for a fee, does conserve materials owned by other cultural heritage institutions, such as museums, libraries, and historical societies.  These institutions may contact us at thepreservationlab@ucmail.uc.edu

I have more questions about preservation and conservation. For example, how do you become a conservator? Where should I go to learn more?

Please visit the American Institute for Conservation’s website where you can find a conservation terminology guide, a list of conservation specialties, tips for caring for your treasures, and much more!

Why do libraries have special collections?

A library’s special collections provide rare books and other materials found in few other libraries and unique primary source materials, such as the personal archives of important people and the official records of institutions, for original research. Special collections are the sources for new discoveries and catalyze novel research.  They are also used in classroom instruction to teach to research techniques.
For examples of how special collections are used and their value to researchers, instructors, and students, see  What Are Special Collections.

How do I search across special collections?

The  UC Libraries special collection search page is the best way to search for special collections at UC. At CHPL, please visit the special collections page to view online digital content or search the catalog.

How do I access special collections?

At UC Libraries, the best way to access special collections is to contact the appropriate UC Libraries library Head and inquire about procedures. At CHPL, book an appointment with the Genealogy and Local History Staff.  Appointments are often required, particularly if you are traveling a distance or intend to conduct extensive research. The staff can prepare materials in advance, and some materials are located in remote storage centers, requiring several days to retrieve.

I’m interested in learning how to repair books. Where can I find information about local opportunities?

The Ohio Preservation Council, the Cincinnati Book Arts Society, and the Guild of Book Workers  offer classes on a regular basis and post local opportunities.  The Ohio State University has a robust Center for Book Arts, and Miami University offers some classes as part of the CraftSummer/CraftWinter series.

There are many other fun and reputable groups out there, but this will hopefully give you a good place to start!

The Preservation Lab’s Blog from time to time has some “how to” posts that might be interesting as well.

I have a framed object that needs reframing. What are some tips on preservation framing?

An important component of preserving your object is selecting a glazing with UV protection and a matboard that is not just acid-free, but lignin free. Non-adhesive mounting solutions are best. Check out the Library of Congress website to learn about selecting materials for framing and mounting.

For special materials, it’s recommended to take your piece to a private conservator for un-framing who can provide recommendations on the best way to mount the object.  It’s quite possible to do damage during unframing – or find that the mount needs to be replaced.

I’d like to revamp my disaster preparedness handbook. Do you have any templates?

Yes, contact thepreservationlab@ucmail.uc.edu and request preparedness templates.