Conservation Research in Libraries (Current Topics in Library and Information Practice)

This book attempts to describe the emerging area of scientific endeavour being carried out in research libraries. The scientific analysis and investigation of heritage material has a long history in museums. The first in-house museum laboratory was established in 1920 at the British Museum, London, where Harold Plenderleith, an early pioneer of conservation famous for his seminal book (Plenderleith 1956), worked in the newly created Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In the century following, scientific methodologies and applications have been revolutionized. Techniques have phased in and out of fashion, much smaller samples are sufficient for many techniques, while non-destructive analysis without sampling is possible with others.Scientific analysis and research have historically been practised much less in libraries than in museums. As will be apparent throughout the text of this book, the main restraints have been the requirement to take samples and the difficulties in applying existing technologies safely to complete objects. Recent advances in commercially available portable analytical equipment and bespoke apparatus designed specifically to be used with library material has led to a slow increase in research activity.

Conservation research in libraries is a rapidly growing field. This book places analysis within its context in conservation and provides examples of how this expensive resource can be used. Through a series of case studies, it describes major analytical procedures, including visualization, molecular, elemental and separation techniques as well as chemical tests. It is thus a suitable reference work for library conservators and curators.

Please note: Despite careful production of our books, sometimes mistakes happen. Unfortunately, the authorship for some chapters wasn’t correct in the original publication. Chapter 5 was written by Andrew Beeby and David Howell as co-author, chapter 6 by Kelly Domoney and David Howell as co-author, and chapter 9 is authored by Anita Quye. This will be corrected. We apologize for the mistake.

__Conservation research in libraries__ is a rapidly growing field. This book places analysis within its context in conservation and provides examples of how this expensive resource can be used. Through a series of case studies, it describes major analytical procedures, including visualization, molecular, elemental and separation techniques as well as chemical tests. It is thus a suitable reference work for library conservators and curators. **Please note:** Despite careful production of our books, sometimes mistakes happen. Unfortunately, the authorship for some chapters wasn’t correct in the original publication. Chapter 5 was written by Andrew Beeby and David Howell as co-author, chapter 6 by Kelly Domoney and David Howell as co-author, and chapter 9 is authored by Anita Quye. This will be corrected. We apologize for the mistake. This series presents innovative approaches used by professionals in library and information practice worldwide. The authors are chosen to provide critical analysis of issues and to present solutions to selected challenges in libraries and related fields, including information management and industry, and education of information professionals.