Conservation

The IHS Conservation Lab provides a wide variety of specialized treatments for the William H. Smith Memorial Library’s paper-based collections. The collections – which include books, maps, manuscripts, scrapbooks, artworks and photographic materials – are surveyed and stabilized with appropriate, up-to-date tools and techniques, from simple mending and cleaning to more advanced washing, rebinding and tape removal. In addition to treatment, conservation staff takes preventive measures to preserve our collections; these include monitoring the storage environment, providing customized housings, consulting with library and exhibits staff to ensure safe handling and mounting of materials, and maintaining a disaster recovery plan. 

Our Conservation Resources page provides a list of preservation-related vendors and services.