Book Conservation

Book Conservation in the Cornell University Conservation Unit is responsible for the preservation and conservation of rare materials in all of the Cornell University Library collections.  We provide the following services for the Cornell University Library:

• Conservation treatment
• Protective housing
• Assessment of materials chosen for exhibit and loan
• Care and handling  education
• Disaster planning
• Preservation assessments
• Conservation surveys

We also reach out to the local library community and beyond by offering workshops in Care of Collections, Mold, Exhibit Preparation,  Care and Handling of Materials during Scanning, and Disaster Planning and Preparation.

Treatment Options and Duration

Repair for circulating, interlibrary loan, some rare materials (.5 -2 hrs.)

• Book Repair
• Page repair
• Opening pages

Conservation of rare materials (2 hours or more)

• Reback
• Wash/resew
• Rebind
• Other repair

Enclosures (.5 hrs. – 8 hrs.)

• MM case/Reinforced MM case (Usually for circulating materials and high density storage)
• Clamshell box (Usually for rare, important materials)

Contact: Michele Hamill, Head Conservator, mh92@cornell.edu, 255-5766