Beyond the Book: Project Summary

Mary Burns, Special Collections Catalog Librarian, Northern Illinois University

The theme of this year’s project was preserving non-book materials in library collections. The preservation of bound volumes and archival papers is well documented but there are fewer resources available to help with the care of unusual items. Board games, maps and blueprints, microfilms, paintings, photographs, scrapbooks, and textiles have their own needs when it comes to their housing, storage, and display. These articles discussed some of the problems these materials present to conservators and how they dealt with them. 

Board Games and Materials with Multiple Parts

Preserving board games is not always as simple as putting the box on a shelf. They contain many parts constructed from different kinds of materials.  The goal is to protect and preserve the integral parts of the game by safely storing them all together, preferably in one enclosure. This article discusses the preservation enclosure created for the board game Blacks and Whites: The Role Identity & Neighborhood Action Game published by Psychology Today in 1970. Nora Gabor, Rare Books Librarian, DePaul University.

Maps and Blueprints

Even though maps and blueprints are primarily paper and require the same care and consideration as other paper materials they still pose their own unique challenges. They do not have a binding or protective cover and their size, storage and how they are used pose unique challenges. This article highlights preservation work done for 19th century maps and blueprints used on a construction site. Susan Howell, Southern Illinois University Carbondale & William Schlaack, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Microfilm

Although the first patent for microfilm dates from 1859 it was not used on a large-scale in the United States until 1935. This article looks at the best practices for the care and handling of modern and contemporary microfilm. It also highlights nitrate, acetate and polyester films and provides one librarian’s first-hand experience with nitrate film. Ann Lindsey, The University of Chicago Library & William Schlaak, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Paintings

Many libraries own paintings that may be part of a collection, a donation, or part of the institution’s history. Some of the preservation concerns are the same as for other library materials such as providing a stable environment without fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Paintings present their own unique set of challenges because they are hung in public spaces and may be difficult to store. This article demonstrates how some of these challenges were met for the painting Matrix by artist Oli Sihvonen. Tonia Grafakos, Marie A. Quinlan Director of Preservation, Northwestern University.

Photographs - General Overview

There is not a one size fits all preservation strategy for photographs. They may be commonly held in library and archival collections but their chemical composition demand special care that goes beyond typical preservation environments. This article provides an overview of the necessary basics of photograph preservation and highlights resources devoted to their care. Meghan Ryan, Special Collections and Cataloging Librarian, National Louis University.

Photographs – Glass Plate Images

The same general preservation guidelines that apply to all photographic collections also apply to glass plate images. This article discusses the unique preservation needs of glass plate images in terms of their storage and handling. “Glass plate image” is used as a catch-all phrase to include all images on a glass base. Emma Saito Lincoln, Special Collections Librarian, Augustana College.

Scrapbooks

Scrapbooks are unique items that may contain a wide variety of materials including photographs, cards, newspaper clippings, pressed flowers, and art work. The diversity of the materials can present daunting preservation challenges. This article highlights some of the problems conservators must address. Mary Burns, Special Collections Catalog Librarian, Northern Illinois University & Meghan Ryan, Special Collections and Cataloging Librarian, National Louis University.

Textiles  

The general principles of preservation involving environmental control, pest management and preventive conservation also apply to textile collections. However, the storage needs of textiles and their fragility make their preservation requirements distinct from book and paper collections. This article explains some of the techniques used to preserve a pair of autographed shoes worn in a Broadway production and a World War I Band uniform. Emma Saito Lincoln, Special Collections Librarian, Augustana College.

Return to Beyond the Book: Preserving your Non-Book Collections