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Collection Preservation:
John J. Burns Library Preservation Department

Overview | Facilities | Services | Contact Information

Overview
Boston College places a high priority on the preservation of its library collections. The John J. Burns Library houses rare books, special collections, and archives in a climate controlled, secure environment. The Burns Library also has its own well equipped, in-house conservation laboratory, staffed by a full time conservator.

General and circulating collections are maintained by the O'Neill Library Preservation Department.

Facilities
The laboratory in the Burns Library is set up to provide a full range of conservation treatments on modern and old books. Traditional bookbinding tools and equipment include a board cutter, job backer, various wooden and iron presses, a stamping press with brass type, handle letters, and finishing tools.

The lab has a large sink and water deionization system for cleaning and deacidifying paper. There is a binocular microscope, a fume hood, a book suction machine, and a copy stand and camera for photo documentation. All materials used in the laboratory (papers, leathers, parchment, etc.) are of the best quality available.

Services
Services provided by the Burns Library conservation department include item level treatments, environmental monitoring, development and execution of a disaster preparedness and recovery plan, exhibition preparation, staff education and training, and consultation on preservation issues with other Boston College libraries.

Treatments range from simple repairs to washing, deacidification, and rebinding. They include construction of preservation enclosures, paper repair, encapsulation, and matting. Treatment strategies, including reformatting decisions, are developed in consultation with the appropriate curator or librarian. Treatments are documented with written reports and, when necessary, photographs. The conservator abides by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as issued by the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

The conservator locates qualified outside providers for any preservation services that are not offered by the conservation laboratory.

Contact Information

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Collection Preservation: O'Neill Library Preservation  |  Burns Library Preservation

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