Weissman Preservation Center Special Collections Conservation Lab
Our Mission
The Conservation Laboratory in the Weissman Preservation Center, Harvard University Library, manages a conservation program for the care and treatment of rare books, manuscripts, prints, drawings, maps, photographic materials and other rare and valuable materials in special collections. We are committed to excellence, productivity, and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
Our Facility
The Conservation Laboratory is a new, state of the art facility located in the Weissman Preservation Center. North facing-skylights illuminate the work areas, fitted out with work benches, tools, and equipment that accommodate book, photograph and paper conservation.
Our Services
The Conservation Laboratory provides consulting services for all libraries at Harvard that hold rare and unique materials. Treatment services are offered to Harvard's libraries through support for conservation personnel or on a cost recovery basis. We also advise on collections care, handling, processing, cleaning, housing, storage, display, and preparation for imaging.
Item level surveys can be conducted as a first step towards identifying collection items at risk. A report will be generated and materials can be scheduled for treatment, housing or other activities.
Conservation treatment may include a wide range of minor, intermediate, and major conservation treatments. Generally, objects selected by a librarian or curator are examined by a conservator who writes a description of the object and a condition report – noting the damage observed. A treatment proposal is generated when requested and includes an estimate of time needed to complete the treatment. When the librarian/curator signs off on the project, the item is brought to the WPC lab and, after written and photographic documentation, is treated and returned to the library or collection with a report on the techniques and materials used in the treatment. The construction of protective enclosures designed to promote the longevity of rare and unique materials and to ensure that they can be handled and consulted safely can be made in-house or contracted out under our supervision.
Disaster recovery assistance for the recovery of rare and unique materials is available.