VOLUME 13 NO.4 2006 Archival Products NEWS Assessment and Plans to Preserve the CONSOL Energy Mining Map Collection by Jean Ann Croft and Debora Rougeux

HE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH Pennsylvania Preservation Department in part- regulations Tnership with the Archives Service Center (ASC) is currently conducting an require mine inventory and item by item condition owners to assessment of the “hardback” maps from maintain the CONSOL Energy Mining Map Col- lection. This part of the collection consists detailed maps of approximately 600 maps drawn on of their own heavy paper, some adhered to linen. This mines. project will help guide the creation of an ongoing preservation program to stabilize and prepare the maps for description and scanning as well as to improve housing to further protect the artifact for future use. The hardback maps present the most challenging preservation issues within the Mining Map Collection because of their Representative of the damage typically seen with some of large dimensions; some maps are nearly 25 the hardbacks such as numerous edge breaks, tears, minor feet long. Since the maps were sometimes losses and soiled areas. used and stored in the mines, the mining now causes them to split and break into companies rolled the maps, some rather pieces, limiting current use and jeopardizing tightly. However, due to the use, size, age future availability. There is also surface dirt and brittleness of the paper and cloth of and dust as well as evidence of mold damage many of these hardbacks, unrolling them compounded by the storage conditions. CONSOL ENERGY M INING M AP C OLLECTION – continued

The dates of the Partnerships The hardbacks are some of the most Pennsylvania regulations require mine important maps in the collection. In many maps range owners to maintain detailed maps of their cases these hardbacks are the most complete, from 1854 to own mines.1 Throughout the twentieth if not only existing, map of some of the 2002, with the century, many of the mines were aban- older mine works. The different colors doned due to the waning demand for coal.2 on the maps represent the time period in bulk of them The fear of losing significant amounts of which coal was mined from that section dating from the information regarding underground exca- while the symbols, dashed, and heavy black 1880s through vations, especially in densely populated lines are indicative of coal seam outcrops, the 1940s. coal field regions, encouraged coal mining gas and oil wells. These maps are an companies to initiate programs promoting important source of information for preservation and cataloging of mine maps.3 municipal, economic and transportation CONSOL Energy Inc. first began plac- planners as they seek to develop new hous- ing mine map materials with the ASC at ing, commercial facilities and highways, as the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. Since well as deal with such issues as subsidence then, the Archives collection has grown and mine water runoff. They are also key through additional deposits from CON- in assisting those dealing with current Mining maps contain SOL to include some 8000+ map sheets of mine-related emergencies. In recent years, incredible detail and information. Each color closed and/or abandoned underground these hardbacks have been consulted by represents a time period coal mines in southwestern and south cen- a variety of people, including: personnel when coal was mined tral Pennsylvania. The dates of the maps assisting with the rescue of trapped miners from that section. range from 1854 to 2002, with the bulk of at Quecreek, Pa.; engineers planning the them dating from the 1880s through the route of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, a 1940s. They primarily cover mines in the key to future economic development in Pennsylvania counties of Allegheny, West- the Monongahela and Youghiogheny River moreland, Washington, Greene, Fayette valleys; and federal, state and municipal and Somerset owned and/or operated by officials dealing with the mine water Consolidated Coal Company and its vari- breakthrough incident in McDonald, Pa., It is important not to lose ous constituent companies. in 2005. any mine map details Engaged in cataloging and preservation such as multiple symbols, codes, and data, during efforts, the Pennsylvania Department of Processing and Description any restoration/repair Environmental Protection California Dis- A project is currently underway in the project. trict Office Mine Map Repository has ASC to process and describe the 8000+ teamed up with the ASC to provide sup- CONSOL maps and related materials. port for cataloging and scanning of the Student assistants, supervised by an CONSOL Energy Mining Map Collec- archivist, are examining each map sheet tion. The Repository is actively scanning and entering information about it into a abandoned and active mine maps in color. Microsoft Access database similar to that Recognizing the importance of preserving used by the California District Office to these maps, the Repository has facilitated catalog their map collection. Data collected meetings and discussions concerning includes company name, mine name, geo- preservation, scanning, and cataloging graphic location(s), date, scale and any amongst academic institutions and state other identifying information that appears mining agencies in Pennsylvania, as well as on the map such as names of property federal entities to encourage cooperative owners, etc. A consultant from the California ventures.4 District Office is assisting with the

2 CONSOL ENERGY M INING M AP C OLLECTION – continued identification of some maps containing less each map. By the end of the summer, the The survey also than complete information. However, due interns assessed 100 of the 600 maps. The to their fragile nature, such information Preservation Department plans to continue identifies maps from many of the hardbacks cannot be this project until all 600 maps are included that are too gathered until some preservation work is in the database. fragile to unroll done on them. The purpose of this inventory and con- alerting the dition survey is to provide researchers, Preservation Survey Methodology including colleagues within the coal min- curator that To ascertain the type and extent of problems ing industry, with complete and thorough these maps can- inherent in the CONSOL Energy Mining details of the collection, thus showing the Map Collection, the Preservation depart- not circulate or importance and rarity of the materials ment conducted a survey of representative comprising the CONSOL Energy Mining may require hardback maps from the collection in May Map Collection. In summary, the follow- additional 2006. CONSOL provided an inventory of ing conclusions were found in this repre- the map collection upon transfer of the research to sentative sampling: collection to ASC. The ASC added more locate the infor- bibliographic data to this inventory when • 85% of the hardbacks surveyed were mation on linen backed. assigning the hardbacks to a stack area for another map or permanent storage. The Preservation • 29% of the hardbacks surveyed were Department hired two library school repaired with cellophane, duct, or through another interns during the summer of 2006 to masking tape. source. design and conduct an item-level inventory • 41% of the hardbacks surveyed were and condition assessment of the Mining assessed as being in “good” condition. Map Collection. The students met with • 19% of the hardbacks surveyed were the curator of the mining maps to discuss assessed as being in “fair” condition. the inventory provided by CONSOL and • 40% of the hardbacks surveyed were to identify additional information that assessed as being in “poor” condition. would benefit reference and cataloging • 57% of the hardbacks surveyed were services. The interns designed a template nested inside other maps. in Microsoft Access and began to assess • 10% of the hardbacks surveyed were each map to check it against the existing too fragile to open. inventory and gather additional informa- • 53% of the hardbacks surveyed were tion about the condition of the maps. not included in the original inventory, Working together, the interns retrieved most likely because they were nested the map from the shelf and carefully inside other maps. unrolled the item. They checked the bibli- The maps that were surveyed ranged in ographic data against the original inventory sizes from 46" x 26" to 285" x 59" and all and added more information including of the maps were soiled with dirt and dust Mining Company, Map Name, and infor- accumulated from their handling within mation contained on the original identifi- the mines. The survey revealed that the cation tags provided by CONSOL. Fur- ASC does not have a complete inventory ther, they inputted these entries into the because many maps were rolled together; Microsoft Access database while they were sometimes as many as five or six maps evaluating the maps. They un-nested maps were nested and stored together. Often, the that had been rolled together, rolled outer most map was the only one of the extremely fragile maps into acid free paper, group classified on the inventory, encour- and attached new identification tags to aging the interns to create an entry for 3 CONSOL ENERGY M INING M AP C OLLECTION – continued

each map that they encountered. The other contingent upon the close examination and realization was that this collection will discretion of a professional paper conserva- require a lot of shifting to keep maps in an tor and are necessary to prepare the maps alphabetical order to facilitate retrieval and for future scanning. to ensure that maps from the same geo- This assessment will help establish prior- Hardbacks can be a challenging preservation graphic areas are stored near each other. ities in creating an ongoing preservation project. About 5'x25', The survey also identifies maps that are too plan for the coal mine maps and will they have been stored rolled up for years. Some fragile to unroll alerting the curator that include upgrading the storage conditions, newer maps are still in these maps cannot circulate or may require executing various conservation techniques decent condition and additional research to locate the informa- to stabilize maps in preparation for scan- will roll out nicely. tion on another map or through another ning and creating cataloging records and source. finding aids to render maps accessible. The CONSOL Energy Mining Map Collection Future Preservation Plans provides a wealth of information about the This inventory project will assist in design- changing environment in western Pennsyl- ing a strategy for the preservation and vania during much of its mining history. access of the CONSOL Energy Mining This collection yields the potential to be Map collection. The survey revealed that a more fully explored by diverse fields of high percentage of materials are acidic and study in both the physical and social sci- already embrittled, influencing the decision ences such as geology, engineering, envi- Many map challenges to execute digitization in the future to included size, color and ronmental studies, history, sociology, and facilitate information sharing. Because of detailed information. anthropology in addition to the mining the acidic properties, deteriorated state, industry. Therefore, it is imperative that and rarity of these maps, many require partnerships between the mining industry conservation intervention to stabilize the and educational institutions are fostered materials as well as improved storage con- and preservation and cataloging agendas ditions before any scanning work could be are set to ensure that this vital information undertaken. will be available to those who wish to study The Preservation Department and ASC it today and for future generations to are actively working to secure funding to come. hire a professional paper conservator to execute different levels of conservation 1. Heidlage, Robert. The Bureau of Mine Map Repository: Services and Activities. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Meeting work on the maps depending on what of the Geoscience Information Society, Nov 1980: 16. their need dictates. The proposed conserva- 2. Ibid., 16. tion treatment for the severely damaged 3. Ibid., 16. maps might include, but would not neces- 4. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection sarily be limited to, surface cleaning, sepa- California District Office Mine Map Repository, “Summary of Map Preservation and Scanning as of 05/08/2006” rating the content from the linen liner, (working paper, 2006). administering an aqueous treatment to Debora Rougeux is the Archivist/Cataloger at the Archive reduce acidity, mending paper losses and Service Center at the University of Pittsburgh. She can be tears with Japanese paper, humidifying and contacted at 412-244-7069 or [email protected]. flattening, and adhering a new Japanese Jean Ann Croft is the Preservation Librarian at the University of Pittsburgh. She can be contacted at 412-244-7522 or paper lining and linen for support. The [email protected]. maps that are in better condition may require surface cleaning to facilitate the capture of a good image when scanning. However, these conservation treatments are 4 Salisbury House: Diverse Preservation Needs of a Private Library by Lindsay Shannon

WAS PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO SPEND this summer as the Library Preserva- For the past Ition Intern at Salisbury House Foun- year, Salisbury dation in Des Moines, Iowa. This historic House has been 1920’s mansion is distinguished by its pos- session of an extensive art collection and a undergoing fine private library containing over 3,000 renovations volumes and manuscripts accumulated by throughout its the original owners. structure to Carl and Edith Weeks had the house and gardens built on the model of King’s update and House in Salisbury, England. The Week- restore the ses’ fascination with this Tudor mansion house. began with a trip in 1904, and during the mid-20s they returned to Salisbury many times to acquire authentic furnishings and fixtures for the construction of their own Tudor-style mansion. Tudor fireplaces, tap- estries and sixteenth century oak paneling Lindsay Shannon at work on the manuscript folder for Mea- were shipped from England to adorn the sure for Measure, from Shakespeare’s Second Folio, 1632. interior of the house. Carl Weeks even bought the sixteenth century roof timbers was carefully documented with digital pho- from the old White Hart Inn at Salisbury, tographs and packed away in boxes for under which Shakespeare once reputedly storage by 2005 intern, Andrea Knowlton. performed. After an analysis of the library was done By the time of its completion in 1928, to determine the extant surface coatings on Salisbury House cost $3 million to build the wood, a trained wood and furniture and furnish—exceeding the amount spent conservator began restoration on the six- on construction of Yankee Stadium just teenth century English Oak paneling, floor five years earlier! Since 1993, the Salisbury and book shelves. The carved-wood medal- House Foundation has been in charge of lions and architectural elements on the preserving the house and its collections, as ceiling were also digitally photographed for well as providing public access to these future documentation. The recent photo- treasures. graphic records of the library have com- For the past year, Salisbury House has prised an important step in preserving the been undergoing renovations throughout collection, as no previous photographic its structure to update and restore the records of the library have ever been found. house. Renovation of the library at Salis- In order to insure the safety of the books, bury House was undertaken in 2005, cre- furnishings and artifacts in the library, an ating a more secure space in which to dis- exterior panel was added to the original play Carl Weeks’ beloved books. During windows to filter harmful rays that could the renovation, the entire library collection fade the furnishings as well as the books. 5 S ALISBURY H OUSE – continued

House. My task this past summer was to While preserv- begin basic preservation on the collection ing the treasures and to help implement a long-term preser- of this collection vation program. Major issues we encoun- tered in the collection included maintain- has been an ing the period display environment, orderly process, increasing accessibility for scholars and pre- wading through sentations, establishing exhibition and loan the murky his- procedures, as well as addressing general handling concerns. tory of the Sal- Following the recommendations made by isbury House Gary Frost, a treatment menu was assembled library has been Creating a polypropylene protector for a first edition of Hem- to address the basic preservation issues of ingway’s A Farewell to Arms. the collection. It was decided to target the a challenge. first half of the collection in shelf order, as Throughout the house the electrical and this would be conducive to easy documen- HVAC systems were updated to increase tation for staff and future interns. Due to safety and maintain a stable environment. infrequent use over the years, most of the In addition, the library was equipped with volume damage was minimal and easily the first Sapphire™ fire suppression sys- maintained under these stabile conditions. tem in the state of Iowa, which is an inert However, the entire collection was in need gas stored as a liquid that vaporizes quickly of dry cleaning with lint-free cloths and on discharge, eliminating the extensive synthetic cellular trap sponges to remove water damage usually caused by suppres- surface dust which had accumulated over sion systems in the event of a fire. Finally, the years. In addition, three constructed an alarm system was installed in the library treatments were selected for the menu as well as interior security cameras to mon- itor access. As my time at Salisbury House began, renovations in the library were nearly fin- ished. Once the books were carefully put back in place, it was the perfect time to begin a systematic analysis and preservation regime for the collection. From March until June of this year, Gary Frost and the University of Iowa Conservation staff did an analysis of the library’s environmental conditions with a Preservation Environ- ment Monitor®. The assessment revealed that the room maintained a stable environ- ment, with a 35% average relative humidi- ty—ranging from 43% at the highest to 25% at the lowest—over the course of the three months. After the library environment was A completed section of shelves in the library at assessed, the collection itself became the A nineteenth century volume exhibits typical damage to Salisbury House. immediate focus of my time at Salisbury spine and detached cover. 6 S ALISBURY H OUSE – continued based on commonly occurring damage While preserving the treasures of this within the collection. Many of the eigh- collection has been an orderly process, teenth and nineteenth century volumes wading through the murky history of the had damaged covers or detached boards, Salisbury House library has been a chal- for which supports were constructed out lenge. Although the focus of my project of alkaline 20 pt. card stock. dealt with the physical preservation of the The numerous pamphlet materials collection, increasing accessibility was housed in the library required four-flap another priority. As part of the documenta- portfolios or manuscript folders made out tion process, I took the opportunity of A book shoe constructed of alkaline 10 pt. card stock. Some special updating the existing inventory database to to support a 1620 English translation projects surfaced along the way for these create a searchable format. Volunteers of Don Quixote. fragile items, such as creating a custom entered the inventory in a Microsoft Access manuscript folder for a Second Folio edi- file in 1997-98 that included most of the tion of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. basic information for the collection. Edit- Occasional minor repairs on volumes were ing the database to create consistent conducted as necessary to ensure further numeric entries and completing fields that longevity of the collection during handling. were missing information produced an Minor repairs on the treatment menu inventory that can be searched efficiently included reattaching loose spines with to maximize information accessibility on hinged kozo tissue, pasting down loose each volume. This will provide the most labels and sealing header gaps. Because the accurate description of each volume record A four-flap portfolio collection is so lightly used, the main treat- and allow quick access to its location. The protects a copy of ment concern was to prevent further dam- found shelf order had been carefully pre- the 1775 Journal of the Proceedings of age to items from tight shelving and occa- served and documented during the 2005 the Congress at sional exhibition. renovation and continues to be the current Philadelphia. Along with boards, Archival Products standard. However, in the process of work- generously donated 3 mil non-reflective ing through the collection inventory polypropylene film for construction of records indicated that many changes have polypropylene protectors. On Gary Frost’s occurred in both shelving order and collec- suggestion, this film was beta tested as an tion organization over the years. This is not alternative to traditional Mylar jackets. surprising considering the fact that the Because of its non-glare property, the film house has been occupied by the Weekses, was ideal for use in a period display collec- Drake University, the Iowa State Education tion like Salisbury House. The film is ren- Association (which owned the building dered nearly invisible against the spine of from 1954 until 1993), and finally the Sal- the book while protecting vulnerable items isbury House Foundation. In some cases, from future damage. I found that the soft volumes have been moved since the 1997- and flexible quality of the film was also eas- 98 inventory records were created. Since ier to work with than Mylar as it readily there is no documentation on the original forms to the shape of individual volume arrangement, it may be useful in the future spines without additional fluting. These to assess the various collections within the protective covers served a variety of func- library and make minor logical adjust- tions in the collection from preserving ments in shelf order to consolidate subjects paper publisher’s jackets and paper-covered and alleviate over-crowding on the shelves. volumes to isolating deteriorated leather Over the course of my six-week intern- and other damage-causing elements. ship, I was able to treat about half of the

7 S ALISBURY H OUSE – continued

volumes in the library at Salisbury House. Through the initiation of this internship In particular, The most important issue facing the program, records are being created and records covering remaining shelves is the fact that this por- updated on a regular basis, which has rare or extreme- tion of the library comprises rare and frag- helped to track the overall progress and condition of the collection. The combined ly fragile items ile materials housed in locked cases, including a large number of incunabula effort of Gary Frost, staff and interns at the should be con- and rare Bibles. These volumes will need Salisbury House Foundation and support solidated and to be assessed and shelving order consid- from Archival Products has vastly detailed descrip- ered for the safest possible arrangement. improved the security, stability and docu- There are also first edition volumes by mentation of this wonderful collection. tions taken in important 20th century authors housed Continued work of this caliber will help to order to ensure here which have paper publisher’s jackets ensure that the contents of Salisbury quick access to in poor condition. These will need to be House library are enjoyed and preserved well into the future. documentation. protected with non-reflective polypropy- lene covers in the near future. Since acces- Lindsay Shannon served as Library Preservation Intern at the sibility for both staff and interested parties Salisbury House Foundation during the 2006 summer. She has outside the foundation was a concern previously worked in the Conservation Studio at Parks Library, Iowa State University for three years and graduated raised in the initial appraisal of the collec- in May 2006 with an M.A. in Art History from Richmond, The tion, continued consideration of this factor American International University in London. She can be con- would be a logical next step in the library’s tacted at [email protected]. maintenance. Although I was able to access and edit the inventory database in order to make it searchable, there are still adjustments that will need to be made as work continues on the collection. In par- ticular, records covering rare or extremely fragile items should be consolidated and detailed descriptions taken in order to ensure quick access to documentation.

LBS/Archival Products 1801 Thompson Ave. P.O. Box 1413 Des Moines, Iowa 50306-1413 1-800-526-5640 515-262-3191 Fax 888-220-2397 [email protected] archival.com