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UNLV Libraries -> About the Libraries-> Departments -> Special Collections -> Preservation -> About the Preservation Lab

The Preservation Program is part of the Special Collections Division of the UNLV Libraries. Established in October 1999, the program is a leader in preservation efforts in the state of Nevada. It's mission includes working to protect and repair UNLV Libraries' materials. It's facility includes a fully equipped teaching laboratory, which allows the program to offer workshops and other educational programs, while it strives to be a useful informational resource to state and local institutions.

Preservation is the branch of the library and information sciences concerned with the maintenance or restoration of access to library and archival materials, through the study and prevention of decay and damage.

Preservation issues include:

  • Collection Surveying
  • Proper storage and housing
  • Environmental quality
  • Protective Enclosure
  • Disaster prevention and preparedness
  • Education and training
  • Outreach
  • Security
  • Insurance
  • Reformatting
  • Environmental Quality

 

Conservation is the direct method of treatment in which an item is physically or chemically changed.
All conservtion treatments entail the least intrusive methods possible, and use acid-neutral or buffed materials.

Conservation Issues include:

  • Cleaning
  • Deacidifying

Book Repair:

  • Spine Replacement
  • Consolidate Corners/Edges
  • Hinge Repair
  • Super Replacement
  • Tighten Joints
  • Repaste Spine (inside)
  • Wrap Framer's Tape Around Spine
  • Tip-In
  • Pocket
  • Trim Text
  • Rebinding
  • Bind

Page/Document Repair:

  • Mending
  • Clean
  • Humidify & Flatten

 

 

The Preservation Laboratory hires UNLV undergraduate students participating in the Federal Work-Study Program. While earning money by working in the laboratory, they are fully trained in conservation techniques, and they work on actual library materials. We are happy to accommodate their school schedule, allowing them to balance their studies with a convenient job on campus. Although they are part-time, the work-study students represent an important element in our work and productivity. The work-study students are from diverse backgrounds, with wide-ranging interests and different majors. After graduating from UNLV, some will become conservators, librarians, or archivists; but most will move on to other fields.


Updated: Monday, 11-Feb-2013 13:57:12 PST
Content Provider: Michael Frazier
Page Editor: Tom Sommer