Collins Unbound

It’s preservation week! An entire week dedicated to discussing the concerns and solutions regarding preservation of rare books and unique collections. Here in the Archives & Special Collections at the University of Puget Sound, we’ll be showing you some common preservation concerns, highlighting our own collections.

Tape:

In the case of rare book conservation, adhesives utilized have some important criteria to meet. They must be of sufficient strength (maintaining adhesion for an indefinite period), have no tendency to discolor the paper to which it is applied (stains, yellowing, or darkening), and be reversible to assure its removal with no damage to the book. Good examples of adhesive that meets these criteria is starch-based paste, used for centuries by Japanese scroll mounters, or a pressure-sensitive paper-based tape with acrylic adhesive. Yet it is all too common that we encounter commercialized tapes holding pages together. Not only do these tapes cause staining over time, while requiring toxic solvents to remove, but they most definitely damage the materials they are “repairing”. In the case of this poor book (see above), we find a commercialized duct-tape to be the culprit.

Sources:

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/7.-conservation-procedures/7.1-guidelines-for-library-binding

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/7.-conservation-procedures/7.3-repairing-paper-artifacts

By Monica Patterson

It’s preservation week! An entire week dedicated to discussing the concerns and solutions regarding preservation of rare books and unique collections. Here in the Archives & Special Collections at the University of Puget Sound, we’ll be showing you some common preservation concerns, highlighting our own collections.

Mounting Photographs:

Since photographs are often thin and flimsy, they can be mounted on mats to increase their durability and protect them from dust, dirt, and fingerprints. The standard mounting procedure includes a “sandwich” made of a backboard and a window that encloses the photo, made with acid-free paper, appropriate adhesives (usually a starch-based paste, never glue), backing or spacers for the photo, and “glazing” (something like Plexiglas or acrylic). The least possible amount of these things should touch the photo itself. The following is an example of how not to mount a photo: the photo is crooked and glued to the paper backing, the glue is not starch-based (you can tell by the discoloration around the top and left sides), there’s a hole in the photo itself, the backing is taped to a piece of cardboard, everything is creased, and there’s no window or glazing to protect the photograph.

Sources:

https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.10-matting-and-framing-for-art-and-artifacts-on-paper

By Morgan Ford

Images displaying the damage that can be done to materials by paper clips, and rusted metal fasteners

It’s preservation week! An entire week dedicated to discussing the concerns and solutions regarding preservation of rare books and unique collections. Here in the Archives & Special Collections at the University of Puget Sound, we’ll be showing you some common preservation concerns, highlighting our own collections.

Metal Fasteners:

Metal fasteners can cause considerable damage to materials, whether it be through the rust and corrosion of the metal, or the tearing and damage done by metal points. It is therefore important to remove these items from materials (even if they are in good condition). Metal fasteners include commonplace paperclips and staples (and even small nails!). Considerable damage can be caused by careless removal of these metal fasteners, but there are a few simple techniques to follow when removing them:

Staples – using a flat spatula or similar instrument, lift the legs of the staples to pry all fastened edges away from the paper (essentially straightening the staple) before removal.

Paper clips – using a flat spatula or similar instrument, pry up the front and back of the clip before removal.

Sources:

https://www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/librarypreservation/meolda/preservation/basicremedial.html

 By Monica Patterson

It’s preservation week! An entire week dedicated to discussing the concerns and solutions regarding preservation of rare books and unique collections. Here in the Archives & Special Collections at the University of Puget Sound, we’ll be showing you some common preservation concerns, highlighting our own collections.

Frayed Edges:

Frayed or chipped edges are defined as “a mark or flaw caused by scuffing, gouging, or breaking off of a small piece of the dust jacket, pages, or back-strip [of a book].” These flaws are caused not only by scuffing or gouging; they may also be caused by a number of environmental factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in temperature and humidity (causing a degradation of paper), direct light, oxidation, and water damage (paper weakness and fraying), and acidity (brittle paper). Therefore, as a preventative measure, be sure to keep your materials in ideal conditions. And if it’s too late, protect your delicate and damaged materials in preservation binders rather than on an open shelf, such as the example above.

Sources:

https://www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/publications/PreservingBooks.pdf

http://www.alibris.com/glossary/glossary-books#c

By Monica Patterson

Tuesday, May 5^th, 4:00 p.m.
Archives & Special Collections,
2nd Floor, Collins Library

Documenting the Slide from Hope to Chaos:  The Road to Tian’anmen Square, Professor David Hull, Asian Studies

The Egge Collection is a vast trove of media sources tracking the lead-up to the chaos of Tian’anmen Square in June of 1989.  Aside from a couple of very interesting unique artifacts of the movements, the collection’s real value lies in the Chinese print media collected in the weeks leading up to the violent clearing of the square.

Please join us for tea, cookies, and conversation.  All are welcome!

Part of the Behind the Archives Door series!