Preservation

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Merrill-Cazier Library is committed to the long-term preservation of its collections. Its Preservation Program operates within the Division of Special Collections and Archives, and involves in-house repair, treatment, documentation and re-housing of print and manuscript materials with particular emphasis on primary sources, rare books, and items of a Special Collections nature. Conservation treatment of artworks or rare books which are beyond the scope of the program may be carried out by outside conservators.

The Preservation Program employs professionally accepted techniques in book and paper repair, conservation treatment, box-making and fabrication of custom-designed enclosures. Because environmental stability is integral to the long-term preservation of library materials, relative humidity, temperature and light levels are regularly monitored to ensure these conditions fall within professionally acceptable ranges.

The Preservation Program promotes education and training for staff in proper handling, maintenance and exhibition of library, archival and similar cultural materials. We educate researchers in the proper use and handling of library.