PAMPHLET PRESERVATION

Caroline Warhusrt,  Library and Information Service Manager, explains what has been achieved:

I am absolutely delighted to report that in June 2018 we successfully completed our pamphlet preservation project. It has taken a while; but it has completely transformed this important collection for the benefit of future researchers. Since February 2016, the team has audited, assessed, cleaned and rehoused 5,303 pamphlets in conservation sleeves and closed boxes. At the same time, we have data-cleaned and enhanced hundreds of associated catalogue records, better to describe this special collection and make it more accessible to researchers. Originally stored in overcrowded, open pamphlet boxes, these sometimes unique, and often difficult to replace, items were literally gathering dust and at risk of damage. The collection is now in two sequences, arranged by size, doubly protected with sleeves and acid-free boxes, and stored more efficiently in a smaller space in our rolling stacks. We couldn’t have done it without the financial support of the Friends to buy the conservation materials, so I want to take the opportunity once again to thank you all for that. I also want to say a huge thank you to the team: Helen Grove, our Librarian, for her detailed project planning, the hours spent sorting through and assessing thousands of items, and her professional cataloguing to bring our library records up to scratch; and Dan Cranefield for supporting Helen with his painstaking conservation work, cleaning all the items, re-packaging and labelling them.