ISSN 1461 4154 NPO journal e editorial

NPO News & comment

NPO Journal On 21st May the NPO held a consultation day with preservation practitioners and sen ior managers as part of the review process informing the development of Subscriptions: our Busi ness Plan for the next triennial period 2002-5. Participants representing UK£25 libraries, archives, museums and funding organisations were led through a series of management questions by lain Greive of ITS Consult. The day produced a Overseas £30 (surface mail) number of clear directions for the NPO to consider. These included a greater or £34 (airmail) emphasis on providing continuing professional development opportunities in preservation managemen t and further development of the NPO Preservation Subscription address: Assessment Survey for use with artefact collections. The NPO has also been fully Turpin Distribution engaged with Resource's emerging collection care strategy, with representation Services Ltd on its practitioners panel. Blackhorse Road Letchworth By the time the next issue of th e NPO Journal is ready to go to press we shall be in Hertfordshire SG6 1 HN a position to publish our Business Pl an 2002-5. There will, inevitably, have to be Tel: 01462 672555 a more realistic approach to our pricing policy. However, our commitment to provide a freely avai lab le Enquiry Service and our basic information leaflets Fax: 01462 480947 remains firm. The latest leaflet in our Preservation Management Series is 'Managing the Digitisation of Library, Archive and Museum Materials' and can be obtained Publisher, editorial office: through the NPO on 020 741 2 7612 or [email protected]. National Preservation Office The British Library The 2001 conference was a joint conference organised with English Heritage 96 Euston Road and the Science Museum '200 1: A Pest Odyssey'. Copies of the pre-prints London NW1 2DB ' Integrated Pest Management for Collections' (ISBN 1 902916 27 1, price £30) Tei:02074127612 can be obtained from james & James, Tel: 020 7387 8558, Fax: 020 7387 8998, Fax: 020 7412 7796 E-mail:[email protected] or from Gil lards Worldwide, Tel: 01 761 452966, E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01761 452408, E-mail: ehsa [email protected], quoting the title. This international conference received widespread publicity in the UK broadsheet press. The need to develop an integrated pest management (I PM) policy within National Preservation your preservation management portfolio is well covered by speakers, as are Office methods of controlling infestations of all sorts of beasties with or w ithout w ings. supported by The British Library Have you completed the Blue Sh ield disaster conti ngency plan questionnaire The Public Record Office for your institutio n? The questionnaire can be found at www.bl.uk/bluesh ielcl/ The National Library of and the results will be analysed to assess the level of disaster preparedness in Scotland cultural heritage institutions throughout the British Isles, and to inform the Trinity College Library Dublin development of training and networking in this area. The closing date for responses is 31 December 2001. The Consortium of University Research Librari es Cambridge University Library The National Library of Wales The Bodleian Library, Oxford University

Cover Photograph : Hanna Conservation DIRECTOR, NATIONAL PRESERVATION OFFICE

The views expressed within this publication are not necessarily those ot the Echtor, the NPO or The Bnt1sh Library.

I !he NPO journal e standards

BS 5454:2000 the implications for I ibraries by Christopher Kitching, Historical Manuscripts Commission

The Foreword to the new edition of hold archives and documents that are say that any custodian of paper and BS 5454, Recommendations for the not necessarily 'books', w hilst others parchment materials will find in BS 5454 storage and exhibition ofarch ival have rare books and manuscripts, and the best available consensus as to the documents explains that 'although in all these cases the items in question, conditions required for their long-term originally conceived (i.e . in the first because they are unique or rare and care. Th ese begin with the very natu re edition in 1977) as being applicable irreplaceable, or require careful of the building in which they are housed, only to documents in archive repositories, handling, ought not to be on open and then range over all the most likely most of the recommendations in this access or consulted by readers without hazards against w hich they should be Standard apply equally to the storage or strict supervis ion. There is no practical protected: fire and water, inadequate exhibition of unique, rare or "archival" distinction between the conditions environmental control, pests, theft and I ibrary materials'. required for their storage and exhibit ion vandalism, excessive exposure to light, and those recommended for 'archival and damage through the use of There is no separate British Standard documents' in BS 5454. inappropriate packaging, shelving or governing the storage and exh ibition methods of display. Specific attention is of ' library materials'. In the public library For some years alert Manuscript paid to bound volumes (section 10.4.4 sector this would tend to mean books on Librarians and Keepers of Rare Books covers most volumes, 1 0.4.5 parchment open access in rooms where they may and Special Collections have de facto volumes, 9.6.7 outsize bound volumes, also be consu lted. The standards of turned to BS 5454 for guidance on the 13.6 the display of bound volumes security and environmental control that storage and ex hibition of their materials. including support, display cases and can be applied in such circumstances are Now the latest edition of the standard retaining bands). The British Standards clearl y very different from those that are makes explicit its concern to include Institution has recently published a des irable in the case of archives, and for them. In its glossary, a 'document' is companion Guide to the interpretation which BS 5454 was designed. So whilst defined as 'th e combination of a medium of BS 5454, w hich is eq ually inclusive it could be argued that all books would and the information recorded on or in it'. of libraries, and which explains why benefit from storage w ithin a BS 5454 This clearly embraces printed books. the Standard says what it says. environment, in many cases that would 'Archives', for the purpose of the be impractical given the very nature of Standard, are defined as 'documents, BS 5454:2000 Recommendations for the Iibrar ies themselves. irrespecti ve of form, medium or age, the storage and exhibition of archival intended for long-term preservation documents, £33 to BSI subscribing However, for closed access collections because of their continuing value'. members, £66 to non members. in the national and university libraries, This definition, perhaps somewhat DISC PD 0024:2001 Guide to the and indeed in some public libraries, less rigorous than archivists are used interpretation of BS 5454:2000,£28, the situation is rather different. It is far to, gives the Standard quite a wide but if bought with BS 5454 as a 'kit' too simplistic to categorise libraries as range of applicability, and whilst it the total price is £54 to BSI subscribing the normal resting place for 'books', might exclude some library materials members or £84 to non members. and archive repositories as the normal it clearly embraces many. Available from: resting place for 'documents'. Many BSI, 389 Chiswick High Road, 'documents' or 'records' in archive Li brarians and museum curators as well london W4 4Al or repositories are in fact bound volumes, as archivists are included in the list of BSI Customer Services, printed or handwritten, on paper or professiona ls for whom the Standard is Tel: 01980 220022 or parchment. Conversely, many libraries intended. It would be broadly true to www.bsi-global.com

th e NPO Journal collection surveys e

The National Preservation Office Preservation Assessment Survey by Jul ia Foster; Database Development Officer; National Preservation Office

The NPO Preservation Assessment Surve y was launched at the National Preservation Office (N PO) annual conference 'Caring for Collections', in November 2000. Progress over the last year has been encouraging.

As a short rem inder about the back­ the potential for the development of • specific artefact types w ithin a ground of the project, in 1998 the a cross-domain application. Other library or archive. British Library Research and Innovation museu m survey models may also Centre pub I ished the results of a be investigated at a future date. The res ults of the su rvey w ill enable research project to develop a su rvey institutions to prioritise their own methodology for assessing preservation It has been a priority for both the N PO preservation work and to justify and needs in libraries. The Public Record and the PRO that the Preservation support applications to funding bodies Office (PRO) funded a further project, Assessment Survey should be a for preservation and conservation with help from the NPO, to develop the practical tool for the collection projects. The data gathered can be survey tool to assess preservation needs manager. It provides information used more broadly within an insti tution in archives. This has led to the creation regarding the needs of their to, for example, identify staff training of a standard sample-based su rvey organisation and guidance for needs, or to develop storage planning methodology that is applicable to any developing a strategic preservation based on knowledge of environmental 'traditional' library or archive and is plan. It does not provide specific cond itions or the condition ofthe capable of providing quantifiable and treatment recommendations collection materials. comparable data on the preservation or enable specific treatment costs needs of collections. The methodology to be calculated: in the future it is The information gathered by the survey has been thoroughly tested in a w ide hoped that the N PO can develop can be retrieved and presented in a range of institutions. Steven Jones, these elements to further enhance number of different ways: Head of A rchive Inspection Services, the value of the Preservatio n • by looking at responses to single descri bed the work done to ensure Assessment Survey. questions, e.g. condition and that the methodology could be used usabi lity; successfu lly when surveying an archive The sampling method works by • by using a combination of questions, in the NPO j ournal in April 2000. identifying a statistically valid sample e.g. data on artefact type and the of items, approximately 400, w ithin a level of chemical damage; It is clear that we should now consider collection. The survey population is • by using the Preservation whether this model can be used or identified by the collection owner and Priority Bands based on the adapted for use in museums. As a first is se lected using one of three random responses to all questions on part step, a proposal for a joint project is sampling methodologies. Su rveys can one of the survey questionnaire. now being developed between the be carried out on: National Preservation Office, the • an entire library or archive; By undertaking a series of surveys it South West Museums Council (SWMC) • items on a single site; is also possible to measure changes and W iltsh ire County Council (WCC). • items on multiple sites; w ithin the collection and the impact If the bid is successfu I the project w i II • one or more specific collections; on the collection of the annual compare the NPO and the WCC survey • specific artefact types within a preservati on spend or the reallocation methodologies and databases and test collection; of resources.

the NPO Journal e collection surveys

450

400 \. 350 ' \\ 300 Number \\ 250 of Items 200

150

100

50 IAverage I 0 5 High Priority Preservation Priority bands

The graph above illustrates the The National Preservation Office is Preservation Priority Band profiles now beginning to receive the results of seven institutions against the of surveys and will begin work on average. Any institution which has developing a central database. a profile appearing to the right of The results of several more surveys the heavy dark line has a collection are expected shortly as institutions in worse condition that the average. have now had the opportunity to These collections have a greater build the Preservation Assessment number of items in the high and very Survey into their forward job plans. high preservation need bands (4 & 5). As more data is received from surveys, The survey is best completed within the average will be increasingly a short period of time. Based on the representative of a 'national' picture. pilot surveys and early projects, we estimate that two people, working The database also includes a facility together, can complete the survey to assess the effect of altering certain within two weeks. Additional time parameters, the 'What if ... ?' reports. must be allowed for pre-planning This allows the preservation impact and keyboarding. of different activities to be compared. Improving any ofthe following factors: Guidance published by the NPO environment, security, fire protection contains standard definitions to or storage conditions would improve help individuals answer th e survey the profile of the collection. questions. The methodology is designed to allow an institution to The resu lts of surveys carried out carry out a Preservation Assessment using this model will be collected Survey on their own. The NPO can by the NPO in a central database. arrange for on-s ite training or for This information w ill help the NPO groups to undertake training on a to develop a picture of preservation regional basis. We are, for example, need across the United Kingdom and organising a workshop in Manchester, Ireland. This w ill enable resources to specifically for archivists. be targeted at appropriate funding and training programmes. Further information aboutthe survey method can be found We have distributed over 100 sets of on t he NPO website information to libraries and archives www.bl.uk/services/ in the United Kingdom, including preservation/pas.htm those provided to delegates and for a copy of the guidance attending one of the practical one-day or workshops run by the NPO. We have information on workshops please also had enquiries about the method contact Julia Foster at from Australia, Sweden and Israel. [email protected] II

the NPO Journal preservation profiles e

The British Library of Political and Economic Science (BLPES): its first Preservation Librarian

by Rita Dockery, Preservation Librarian, BLPES, London School of Economics and Political Science

The Library of the London School and enquiry services. I also w ork Much effort is put into raising staff of Economics and Politica l Science closely w ith staff in the Binding awareness of preservation issues, as (the world-renowned British Library Department in Technical Services a precursor to raising user awareness. of Political and Economic Science an d with the Archivist. Handling and storage guidelines for (B LPES)) appointed me as its first staff were developed, and approved Preservation Librarian in May 2000. My priorities for the first year were as 'core sk ills' for al l staff. The purpose of this article is to describe forming the Preservation Working Presentations are given to staff to the work of this innovative pos ition. Group, raising staff awareness about show proper handling techniques preservation, completing a preservation and to teach them how to identify The Library, founded by Beatrice and policy for the printed collections, and and report problems such as mould. Sydney Webb in 1896 as a ' laboratory participating in the Library Move Back Aspecial kick-off training and lunch for the social sciences,' collects social Group. was held for reshelvers and porters. science material in the widest sense. Follow-up articles in the electronic Its four million printed items include I formed a Preservation Working staff newsletter Library Bulletin and strong resea rch collections of official Group of staff members from all posters on staff notice boards help pub I ications, inter-governmental divisions to help develop and implement to reinforce preservation messages. organisations, statistics, and grey the preservation policy for the main Handling and storage training was literature. Earlier this year, the Library Library collections. The first goal also held for th e contracted book moved back to the Lionel Robbi ns was for the Group to help develop movers. Building following a multi-million specific policy documents including pound redevelopment by architects environment, housekeeping, My other important duties include Foster and Partners. Why was a protective measures, substitution, being a member of the Disaster Preservation Librarian appointed? and conservation. Prioritisation is, of Management Group and working Many important research collections course, integral to setting policy, and with external conservators. are accessible in the main Library the sen ior members of the Collection Last autumn, I also participated in beyond the optimum conditions Development Team aided priority the testing ofthe NPO Preservation available in the Archives area. Some setting immensely. The Library's Senior Assessment Survey. Plans are co llections were also showing wear Management Group approved the underway to conduct two of these from heavy usc and less than ideal Preservation Policy in March. Results surveys at the Library th is com ing conditions. My post is placed w ithin include a special cleaning project and academic year. Happily, the th e Library's Collection Development rehousing the newspapers. Preservation surveys and other actions from Team, in the Information Services policy for Archives is currently being the Preservation Policy w ill be Department. My time is sp lit roughly documented, and policy for preserving accomplished with the aid of a into 60 per cent on preservation and electronic sources w i II be developed Preservation Assistant who 40 per cent on collection development by next year. will be appointed this autumn. II

th e NPO Journal e preservation profiles

The London Library: Preservation and Stack Management by Stella Worthington, Assistant Librarian (Preservation and Stack Management)

The London Library, founded as W hen I came onto the scene in M arch deliver on two fronts, both preservation a subscription library in 1841 , 1998, there remained over 20,000 and stack management, and felt that maintains a collection totalling more rare volumes sti ll to be moved, cleaned, the two areas competed for my time. than a m illion volumes housed in a listed, repaired and assessed forfurther I soon realised that they were in fact cramped Grade II listed building in treatment to be ca rried out by complementary: For example, congested the north-west corner of Stjames's professional binders or conservators. shelving, w hich causes problems for Square. The majority of the book I acted as project coordi nator and a members and for staff in terms of retrieval, stock is kept on open shelving to which smal l team was assembled and trained. also causes physical deterioration of the subscribers have free browsing access. A project deadline of eighteen months books. Formulating strategies to deal Although only a small collection was established and monthly targets set. w ith this solves preservation problems (about 25,000 volumes) constituted The work proved hard, mentally and too. One of the first decisions I made the original'rare books' collection, phys ica lly, but it was also challenging was to divide up the Library into 25 areas this has been added to substantially and absorbing, and it w as th is that I and to ass ign a member of staff (a Stack by incorporating early books from remember most, as well as the teamwork M anager) to each one. Through trai ning the open shelves. w hich was generated and the sense that sess ions, one to one contact and by w hat we were doing was making a real means of a spec ially devised checklist, Until the 1990s preservation had not and lasting contribution to the Library. I have begun to create awareness that been highest among the Library's W hat also became apparent amongst all the task is not only to reshelve books priorities, but recently, under th e the staff was the realisation that a project and maintain the correct shelf order, impetus of the Chairman, N icolas to conserve the rare books was merely but also an opportunity to work Barker, we have begun to address the beginning: and that policies and collaborativelyto preserve the some of the Library's preservation action plans coveri ng all the book collection. Having 25 pairs of eyes needs. The Anstruther Wing was stock were urgently needed. on the look out for leaking ceilings built to accommodate the rare book and lights left on is far better than one! collection. Reports on the general Having overseen the project and state of the stock and on strategies to brought it to a successful conclusion, I am now in the throes of preparing deal w ith various conservation issues I was appointed Assistant Librarian a strategic plan for the next five years . were commissioned from Caroline (Preservation and Stack Management). I hope to continue to raise preservation Bendix, advise r on library conservation The creation of this new post signalled awareness, improve the physical to the National Trust and to the National that, for the firsttime in the Library's environment where books are stored, Association of Decorative and Fine Arts history , the preservation of its ma in carry out a fu ll condition survey and Societies (NADFAS). Subsequently a asset, its book stock, had been fully put in place polic ies which w ill help small team of NADFAS volunteers acknowledged. to preserve the book stock. Tackling began to clean and carry out first-a id preservation issues may cost a I ittle conservation o n the library's most At first, although delighted at having now, but it is in fact an investment vulnerable books, which at the ti me the opportunity to improve the physical for the future, and a means of adding were housed in a dusty, unventilated condition of the books, I was also value to the Library's extraordi narily basement area. daunted by the prospect of having to rich collections. a

the NPO Journal organisations e

New Centre to Sustain Historic Buildings, Collections and Sites by May Cassa'"' Directo'"' Centre for Sustainab le Heritage

The Centre for Sustainable Heritage these principles are being applied at Partnerships and at University College London began the Centre through a focus, in the first interdisciplinarity operation on 1st March 2001 as the first instance, on preventive conservation world Centre to integrate research and of historic buildings, collections and Broad societal and economic issues teaching on preventive conservation of archaeological sites. This is a fi rst step that affect the preservation of cultural the immoveable and moveable heritage towards fu ll alignment with sound heritage, such as cultural tourism, in a w ay that recognises the physical, sustainability principles and practice. cultura l identity, quality of life, heritage scientific, technologica l, environmental, So the Centre is participating in a va lue, urban and construction planning, social, economic and political contexts Government initiative led by DEF RA w hole life costs and economic in w hich the heritage exists. (Department of Environment, Food & competitiveness must be tackled in The need for the Centre w as Ru ral Affairs) and DTI to encourage an interdisciplinary w ay. Noone recognised by three Departments at different business sectors to develop organisation has all the necessary skills University College London: Th e Bartlett Sustainability Strategies. Heritage has to define the complex, yet often elusive Faculty of the Built Environment, the now been included in the Government's contribution that heritage preservation Institute of A rchaeology and the School Pioneer Group on Sustainability. makes to society. The Centre for of Library, Archives and Information The Centre has initiated discuss ions Sustainable Heritage works principally Stud ies. They formed a unique on sustainability and the heritage w ith in partnership with others on research partnership to create the Centre, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery and teach ing. Two European supporting itthrough their combined Fund, the Museums Association and Commiss ion projects with which the expertise in historic buildings, the National Trust. Centre is currently involved illust rate collections and si tes. The Centre has The Centre's commitment to this way of working. three professional members of staff credible and robust environmental, A th ree-year research project titled w ith expertise in heritage conservation, scientific and technological research 'Innovative Modelling of Museum conservation science an d environmental and teaching is matched by the Pollution and Conservation Thresholds' engineering. It operates from offices conviction that these activ ities must aims to produce a predictive model within The Ba rtlett School of Graduate be carried out in the context of user that w ill enable non-sc ientists, as well Studies at UCL. needs and benefits. The Centre is as scientists, to predict the likely impact engaged in collaborative 'problem­ on indoor air quality from different Centre's philosophy and definition' and 'solution design' projects. external pollution scenarios, building founding principles Evidence-based information on heritage types and ventilation regimes. This preservation issues is made available to project involves researchers, designers The Centre's philosophy reflects decision-makers responsible for the and museum end-users from Malta, changes taking place in conservation present and future of the heritage. Norway, Poland and the United and society. Thirty years ago, The Centre is currently leading a team Ki ngdom . conservation of cultural heritage of Eu ropean investigators to carry out The Centre w ill be organising an began to be viewed in a broader research on beha lf of the European EC-funded two-week Advanced Study environmental context. Today, Parliament w hich w ill help to define Course on the 'Science and Technology conservation is going through further the technological requirements for of the Environment for the Sustainable development as part of society's drive solutions for the conservation and Protection of European Cultural towards sustainable development. protection of historic structures and Heri tage' in April 2002, aimed at young Conservation of cu ltural heritage is archaeological remains. The research European researchers working in the as much about not leaving the world report is intended to inform the cultura l heritage field. The course to we inherit any worse offforfuture European Parl iament on sc ientific be held in London w ill involve the generations, as is the conservation and technological research needs participation of leading sc ientists from of natural resources. for cu ltural heritage at a ti me when Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, W hile this overarching philosophy European Commission funding for Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United reflects the global principles of this research is under threat of exclusion Kingdom. sustainable development defined in from the European Commission's 6th For the foreseeable future, the focus the Brundtland Commission Report, Framework Programme. ofthe Centre w ill be on the following

the NPO journal e microfilm

European Register of Microform Masters NEWS research and teaching themes that by Lyn Stagg, Register of Preservation Microforms, the British Library derive added value from interdisciplinary collaboration: • Preventive conservation of historic The European Register of Microform Masters, based at the Niedersachsische buildings, collections and sites; Staats-und Universitatsbibl iothek, Gottingen, Germany, is the host database for • Impact of use and 'wear and tear' some 400,000 European records of microform masters and includes records of on heritage materials; digital preservation surrogates. In addition, all the microform records from the • Pollution effects and mitigation; North American RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network) database of the • Energy efficiency and sustainable Research Libraries Group are accessible, taking the total number of records to 2.3 use of natural and man-made million, and the LAROMM (Latin American Register of Microform Masters) records resources; widen the scope of the database so that Latin America is also well represented. • Env ironmental design including natural ventilation in historic The British Library was a founding EROMM partner and took part in the pilot buildings; phase between 1989 and 1993. Currently there are 15 partners across Europe. • Cost/benefits assessment for Partners collect records of their own institution, from I ibraries affi I iated to them, sustainable use of the heritage; or from participants in national or loca l microfilming programmes w hich film • Scientific and technological items to agreed archival standards. Partners then send the resulting records on evidence to define heritage value; to the EROMM host after converting them to UN IMARC. • Impact of legislative and planning issues on the heritage; The British Li brary represents UK Librari es at the annual Steering Committee • Adaptive re-use and refurbishment meetings. Several new policies were promulgated for discussion by the Steering of historic buildings. Committee meeting at the National Library in Prague in May 2001. The changes now agreed give other UK libraries institutional access to the database free of With access to a wide range of expertise charge, but needs to be done through registration initially. EROMM libraries w ithin UCL and beyond, the Centre i.e. those w hich also contribute records to the EROMM database via their is capable of working flexibly and partner library, will enjoy special conditions for ordering and delivery. responding swiftly to requests for Details of these and registration are available on the EROMM website advice and consultancy such as www.gbv.de/eromm/join.htm. recent advice to the Royal Artillery Museum and Hastings Museum on The requesting facility for obtaining microform copies can be used by the staff environmental control problems. in participating libraries; costing 77 Euro per annum. A CD-ROM of all the The core staff of the Centre consist European records is also available and gives the option to network the information of May Cassar, Director; Dr Nigel to multiple workstations if required. A ll these measures are designed to help Blades, Development Manager; participating libraries easily obtain copies of microfilm which they need Declan Kruppa, IMPACT Research instead of using precious resources filming other copies. Fellow and Michellejulierwho provides administrative support. The meeting also decided to publicise the required standa rds for surrogates when The Centre including its website will adding these records in the EROMM database and these have now been mounted be formally launched on Wednesday on the Website. All microfilm records produced for the database require an 7th November 2001. archival negative copy and digital material must be that which is being produced For further information contact: for preservation reasons. Anyone in UK research libraries or archives interested in The Centre for Sustainable Heritage, contributing records of their archival filming programmes to the British Library's The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, Register of Preservation Microforms is welcome to contact the Register at [email protected]. University College london, Additionally the British Library plans to start adding records of digital preservation (Torrington Place Site), surrogates to the database. Again, enquiries are welcome. Gower Street, london WCl E 6BT. Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 1665, For further information about EROMM contact Fax: +44 (0)20 79161887, lyn Stagg, the British Library's EROMM representative, E-mail: [email protected] II [email protected] or visit the EROMM website www.gbv.de/eromm

lhe NPO Journal conservation awards e cover story

The Conservation Awards 2000

Loyd Grossman, Neil MacGregor, Director of the National Gallery and Gael de Guichen, Assistant Director of ICC ROM, presented the prizes, worth £25,000, to the winners of the prestigious Pilgrim Trust Conservation Awards at a ceremony on 29th May 2001 at the British Library.

- !he NPO Journal cover story e conservation awards

The Awards, w hich are sponsored by Loyd Grossman said: 'The project was Museum following a conservation The Pilgrim Trust, organised by superbly carried out, showing how process pioneered by the Mary Rose Re:source and supported by English monitoring could be used to avoid the Trust, and carried out in collaboration Heritage and the National Preservation need for expensive underpinning. It is w ith the Canterbury Archaeological Office, aim to focus public attention on an example of sustainable management Trust and Eng I ish Heritage. the importance of conservation and on applied to an incredibily important the skills and expertise of conservation building, which is already benefiting • The conservation of seven 18th professionals in the UK and Ireland. other cathedrals.' century paper and wood 'maidens' garlands at the Holy Trinity Church, Awards Chairman Loyd Grossman, Seamus Hanna commented: 'Winning Minsterley, Shropshire. Conservators commented: 'Standards were fantastic the award is a tremendous achievement Britton and Story carefully cleaned and there was a record number of entries. and helps to raise awareness of the and stabilised the fragile crowns to go All had a strong communciation element approach we have adopted, which w ill back on display in the church. and were at the cutting edge of technical contribute towards understanding and innovation.' solving complex deterioration • The painting conservation and problems.' exhibition by the Conservation Winner of the Award for Conservation, Centre, Liverpool, explaining aspects worth £15,000, is York-based Hanna The Student Conservator of the Year of conservation and research relating Conservation and architect Martin Award, worth £10,000, is awarded to 'Nearing Camp: Evening on the Standi ffe for a nine year research to Mamiko Matsumura and UpperColarado River', by Bolton born project identifying factors leading to Southampton University Textile 19th century artist Thomas Moran. the deterioration of unique carvings Conservation Centre. Her project of leaves and an imals decorating was an investigation of the deterioration • The analysis, evaluation, treatment the 13th century Chapter House at of early plastic objects. She devised a and presentation of two 18th century Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire. simple testto detect harmful acidic gilded tables on display atChiswick This is the first time such a study has fumes given off by costume accessories House by Tankerdale and English been used to prevent further decay and dating from the later 19th and early Heritage. meet long-term conservation objectives. 20th centuries, enabling them to be The project has contributed to the w ider stored and preserved effectively. • The Bartlett School of Architecture understanding of stone conservation The project was conducted during a (UCL), in partnership with the through presentations to conservators th ree year postgraduate Diploma Horniman Museum, Manchester and students, briefings for guides w ho Course in Textile Conservation. Museum, the Museum of London, show 100,000 visitiors around the Mamiko and Southampton Univeristy the Victoria & Albert Museum and Minster each year and articles in both receive £5,000. Emcel Filters Ltd, who researched the conservation press. low cost, energy efficient ways of judges described the project as a controlling air pollution in museums Hanna Conservation partner, Seamus beautifully presented, innovative, low and galleries. Hanna, in collaboration with Southwell cost approach to a problem that wi II Minster architect Martin Stand iffe, get more pressing as plastics As well as Loyd Grossman as Chairman, developed the overall strategy for this deteriorate w ith time. the judges included: project and had responsibility for julius Bryant, Director of Museums planning and implementing all aspects Mamiko says: 'It is really exciting to and Collections at English Heritage; of research and investigation. He also w in. I am pleased to have made a Laura Drysdale, until recently, Director undertook a large proportion of the professional contribution in this field of the Sector and Professional Team at practical research and treatment phases, and that my work has been recognised Resource: The Council for Museums, initiated the programmes of by other conservators.' Archives and Libraries; John Fidler, environmental monitoring and gave Head of Building Conservation and presentations to grant aiding and The other shortlisted nominees were: Research at English Heritage; regulatory bodies. Co-partner, Heather Bamber Gascoigne, Author and Hanna, was involved in planning, visual • The world's oldest seagoing boat, the broadcaster; Anthony Hudson, recording, practical treatment and Dover Bronze Age Boat, dating from Architect, and Georgina Nayler, environmental monitoring. around 1550 BC, on disp lay at Dover Director ofThe Pilgri m Trust. IJ

the NPO Journa l What is the UKIRB? responsibilities, and it is aiming to Inauguration proceedings establish a pool of expertise to assist The United Kingdom and Ireland w ith disasters both in the UK and Ireland. The inauguration day of the UKIRB Blue Shield organisation (U KIRB) on 13 March 2001 was chaired by was inaugurated on 13 March 2001 Why has the UKIRB been set up? Graham Corn ish and the day's at the British Library, in front of an proceedings were opened by Patrick invited audience of representatives The formation of the U Kl RB has been Boylan, former Vice President of ICOM from cultural heritage institutions encouraged by the International UK. He charted the developments that throughout the UK and Ireland. Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), gave rise to the 1999 Second Protocol an organisation set up in 1996 by the to the 1954 Hague Convention, and The UKIRB is administered by the four non-governmental bodies ICOM the subsequent formation of the ICBS . National Preservation Office. (International Council of Museums), Graham Cornish, the IFLA UAP Dr Vanessa Marshall, Director of ICOMOS (International Council on programme Director and British Library the NPO, chairs the UKIRB steering Monuments and Sites), IF LA Copyright Officer, fol lowed with a group, of which Helen Shenton, (International Federation of Library history of the developments leading to Deputy Director, Preservation, Associations and Institutions) and ICA the formation of a national Blue Shield Scholarship and Collections at the (International Council on Archives). body. There then followed presentations British Library, is a member. The Library The ICBS exists to work towards the emphasising the national perspective. provides the UKIRB with expertise and protection of the world's cultural In particular, two of the talks advice on disaster management issues. heritage threatened by wars and natural demonstrated how much a national disasters. It uses the Blue Shield, the organisation for raising awareness on The UKIRB has been formed in order symbol specified in the 1954 Hague disaster planning is needed. Deborah to raise awareness of the threats Convention on the Protection of Sherley, librarian at Sussex University to the cultural heritage from natural Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Library, had first hand experience of and man-made disasters. It aims to Conflict for marking cultural sites to give coping with a disaster when the library be a cross-sectoral body covering them protection from attack. The ICBS at Sussex University was damaged by archives, libraries, museums, galleries was officially recognised in the 1999 the floods caused by the abnormal and the built heritage. The UKIRB will Second Protocol to the Convention. weather conditions which hit the UK act as a focal point for local, regional, It encourages the setting up of national in October last year. Deborah's talk was national and international initiatives Blue Shield committees to raise illustrated with video clips and images promoting awareness of risks to cultural awareness of the threats to cultural of the devastation caused to the building heritage objects. It will provide a heritage, to coordinate emergency and its collections. She concluded that a unifying voice for lobbying government response amongst cultural heritage disaster plan is absolutely essential for departments and funders with respect institutions, and to promote the any institution and needs to be based on to their responsibilities for protecting ratification and implementation by a risk assessment and review of existing long- term access to the cultural national governments of the Hague building arrangements. She stressed heritage. It will encourage institutions Convention and associated Protocols. that a record of the damage and the and authorities which have In the UK and Ireland, the threat is not steps taken in the recovery must be kept responsibility for the maintenance so much from armed conflict but from so that experiences can be shared w ith of the cultural heritage, to implement civil and natural disasters and the other institutions and lessons learned. policies, training programmes and emphasis of the UKIRB is very Above all, she emphasised that one adequate funding to meet those much on disaster preparedness. must expect the unexpected.

IF lngval Maxwell, Director ofTechnical salvage materials. It offers training days disaster response organisations Conservation Research and Education and has produced an Emergency and disaster response training. at Historic Scotland, spoke on the need Manual containing advice on risk to reduce the impact offire on buildings reduction and disaster containment. The future for the UKI RB and collections. He outlined how Helene Donnelly, Founder of the Data Historic Scotland and the Scottish and Archival Damage Control Centre Work has begun in collaboration with Historic Buildings Fire Liaison Group continued the theme of regional representatives from the ICA, ICOM are working together on a proposal to organisation and used the REDS system UK and Ireland, ICOMOS UK and establish a Nat ional Information Data­ as a model for developing a regional Ireland and IF LA, on the way forward base to help prevent the current level of network for disaster response. She forthe UKIRB. Disaster preparedness loss to fire of Scotland's important emphasised the importance of training has been identified as the area in which buildings. H e noted thatthe need for a and introduced the Home Office the cross-sectoral strengths of the U Kl RB much greater awareness of appropriate Emergency Planning College, w hich could best be deployed. The key focus protection and suppression measures by holds a comprehensive library of over the coming months will be on the legislative, heritage and building information on disaster planning. gathering information about disaster industry sectors has been identified, as plans in cultural heritage institutions. has the need for skills to be pooled, and Dr Michael Rooke, Programme This data will be analysed and the best practice developed. Manager at the Home Office resu lts will enable the UKIRB to Emergency Planning College, ended determine how best to promote Three of the presentations focused on the proceedings w ith an introduction co-operation between institutions how a national Blue Shield organisation to the work ofthe College which aims and improve disaster preparedness. could be structured. Marie-Christine to ensure that plans are in place that van der Sman, Chair of the Netherlands either mitigate the risk of disaster The UKIRB was involved with the British Blue Shield, Chair of ICOM-NL and occurring or ensure a coordinated Red Cross (BRC) at a recent conference Director of the Museum of the Book response should a disaster happen. in London, Heritage under Fire: The in the Hague, came over from the He highlighted the changing ideas Protection of Cultural Property in Netherlands specifically to give an about what const itutes a disaster, Wartime.The conference attracted wide overview of how a national Blue Shield with a move from thinking about participation from government, the organisation can be structured and threats to life and limb and the armed forces and cultural institutions, organised. The organisation was dislocation of national life to looking and issues surrounding humanitarian launched in June 2000. Lesley Colsell, at the loss of information, ideas on law and the practical implementations until recently Head of M ember Services business continuity and the of the law governing the protection of at the East Midlands Museum Service, vu I nerabi Iit y of electronically cultural property, were discussed. outlined the organisation of the East stored data and electronic systems. There was support at the conference for M idlands Regional Emergency Disaster lobbying the UK government to adopt Squad (REDS). This was established in The day ended with the unveiling of and ratify the 1954 Hague Convention 1991 and is centrally coordinated by the the United Kingdom and Ireland Blue and Protocols, and opportunities for East M idlands Museum Service. Lesley Shield webs ite www.bl.uk/blueshield/ future networking were initiated. explained that REDS offers a 24 hour which aims to hold information on Further collaboration and co-operation call out service to museums, libraries disaster response, bibliographies of will take place at a meeting in 2002, and archives in the region and has useful material, links to disaster plan where the work of the U Kl RB w i II be access to stockpiles of emergency models, disastertrai ning manuals, discussed and consolidated. a

the N PO Journal reviews e

Book Review

Bibliography of preservation prevailing philosophy of conservation.' policy of add ing brief explanatory literature 1983-1996 By 1983 the foreword contributed by comments to the bibliographical Robert H .Patterson was able to confirm entries, summarising research by Robert E Schnare Jr that 'preservation is another facet of conclusions, or warning against and Susan G Swartzburg sound (l ibrary and arch ive) inappropriate practices, thus with George M Cunha management', and Cunha could give providing considerable added value. an overview of developments of the The emphasis is on North American Lanham Md & London: previous fi fteen years and consol idate sources, and although there is much Scarecrow Press, 2001 broad general guidance on conservation UK literature I was unable to find ISBN 0 8108 3712 9 management. In 2000 Schnare can listi ngs for NPO conference papers contrast the earl ier presumption of the and pub I ications other than Library esse ntial permanence of materials w ith Conservation News, and there is very Review by Alison Walker, the new awareness of the ephemeral little non-English language materi al. Deputy Director, nature of electronic information National Preservation Office carriers. In further contrast to the earlier works, Schnare's bibliography is not arranged In 1983 Cunha was already aware by subject, but by author, w ith an The publication of Robert E Schnare's that complete coverage of the I iterature alphabetical subject index and Bibliography ofpreserva tion literature of library and archive conservation additional complete au thor index. 1983-1 996 provides a very welcome management and preservation Subject arrangements are not a I ways occasion to revisit its predecessors, techniques was beyond the scope of successful, but in this relatively George Cunha's Conservation of library his enterprise. As a resu lt, the balance restri cted area of knowledge, Cunha's materials, 1967, its second ed ition between ' how to' and 'where to' approach provided helpful groupings (1971 ), and the revision, Library and was tipped in the latter direction. of material. The alphabetical index is archives conservation: 1980s and An increasing volume of pub I ication perhaps a victim of the increasing beyond, by George and Dorothy Cunha had reflected the growing and more sophistication ofthe terminology we (1983). We know, of course, that the se lf-aware profess ion: the number use, and is relatively cumbersome to way we see and practise preservation of references has risen from navigate. and conservation has changed in thirty approximately 2000 in 1967, w ith years, but here the changes are which 2500 additions were cumulated To many eyes, printed bibliographies documented and illustrated by in 1971. The 1983 and 2000 editions now seem old-fash ioned. It is often the way we w rite about what we do. have added 5871 and 5358 new said that information not on the internet references respectively. is invisible. Gateways and portals Writing in 2000, Schnare refl ects: provide instant access to up-to-date 'Thirty years ago conservation and Schnare credits two sad ly deceased reports, discussions, research, manuals preservation, as we th ink of them now, co-authors: George Cunha himself, and other gu idance to good practice. did not exist. There were, however, and Susan G Swa rtzburg. The loss of his They can also to some extent be excellent bookbinders and paper collaborators led to a reduction in the ephemeral in themselves, dependent restorers ... ' In 1967 Cunha's work extent of the accompanying evaluative on the continuity of a website, and as was clearly breaking new ground, and essay, and this is inevitably someth ing yet rarely provide a 'one-stop' source he began by making clear that his work of a disappointment, since the analysis as comprehensive as the printed was 'not a book on bookbinding', but and gu idance which in previous editions bibliography. The ideal information 'a critical description of the literature' accompanied the bibliographical resource would combine and 'a manual of practical guidance'. accumulations were invaluable comprehensiveness, searchability By 1971 he was able to point to summaries of the contemporary state and eva luation. Schnare's compilation 'dramatic change' and to describe of the art. For many preservation scores on two out of three, at least for many initiatives evidencing the administrators, Cunha was the first Nori h American sources, and well emergence of library conservation port of call and introduction to deserves a place on the preservation as a disti nct d iscipline. His purpose practice as well as to th e literature. bookshelf alongside its antecedents. t.'!l was newly defined as 'to present the Happily, Schnare conti nues Cunha's

the NPO Journal e reviews

CD-ROM Review

Exhibit Conservation the exhibition process is made from exhibition, it prepares all those Guidelines: the beginning. Some comments on concerned with th e preservation of Incorporating Conservation preservation concern s may seem the object. It high I ights the fact that obvious to the seasoned exhibition all participants need to appreciate the into Exhibit Planning, coordinator. However, obvious or not, complexity of preparing and launching Design and Production they serve as a valuable reminder an exhibition and move together for the when there are a plethora of things same goal. For those familiar w ith by Toby Raphael to remember. 'How to Use This putting on exhibitions, the Guide I ines Publication' explains the main structure highlight that there is still plenty of scope National Park Service, of the Guidelines and its navigation. for improvement. Hints and suggestions Division of Conservation, are I iberally given, together w ith Department of the Interior, Three main sections make up the extremely useful and current advice on US Government Guidelines: Narrative Guidelines, archival materials. One minor drawback Technical Notes and Case Detai Is and is that the Iist of retailers are all Illustrations, each div ided into six American. Review by Kumiko Matsuoka, sections, which are further sub-divided Conservator, The British Library for greater detail. With a focus on the The thoroughness w ith wh ich these preservation/conservation angle, every Guidelines have been compiled is Published in April1999, this CD-ROM key-stage exhibition process is discussed obvious from the Bibliographic is a 'multimedia educational resource and analysed, and covers planning, Resources section (from the Home created to facilitate the incorporation selecting, designing, fabrication, Page). The books and on-line electronic of conservation into the exhibition design installation, environmental monitoring, resources that it rei ies upon are al l and production process' and makes the risk assessment, access and security, grouped together, subject by subject, case for 'the sharing of responsibility for emergency preparedness and while various journals, bulletins and preservation of objects on display'. It maintenance. The Navigational Map conference pre/ postprints are separately was produced principally by Toby gives symbols that appear at the top listed. Most entries have not only Raphael, who has revised and extended right-hand corner of each page, for cross­ publication details, but abstracts and his earlier work 'Design and Fabrication referencing purposes, allowing you to web addresses where available, of Exhibits' w ritten more than ten years see at a glance a complete list of the offering a superb reference guide ago.The chief concern of the Guidelines headings and a miniature version of in its own right. is with ' interpretative exh ibits of three­ th e Home Page. The Poster section dimensional objects such as those from (accessible via the Home Page) shows, Overall, this is a gem of a CD. Over­ history, anthropology, natural sciences in a bullet point format, a checklist of w helmingly detailed for some perhaps, and archival collections' and not flat issues covered under the Narrative but the 'checking every step of the way' works of art in a gallery setting. However, Guidelines. approach is excellent, if its aim is to this should not deter anyone from using achieve a successful exhibition, it when considering an exhibition of any Following on from Case Details and covering every eventuality. The art is in other genre, as much of what is described Illustrations are Figures and Tables and the j udicious selecting oftopics given. is just as pertinent and applicable. Technical Charts Contents. Figures and For those who wish to be and be seen as Tables summarise everything discussed the perfect custodians of their collection, The beauty of having this prodigious in tabulated forms and checklists and then this CD is invaluable. 370-page publication in a CD format Technical Charts gives useful sample is that it provides easy access to a forms e.g. for condition, The CD is Mac and PC compatible and wide-ranging and in-depth amount recommendations and pest incidents includes Adobe Acrobat Reader V3.0. of information, including links to all together with schedules and charts. It can be purchased for $49.95 from: the relevant topics, in a small and ICCROM Library, Rome: compact format. For an institution contemplating an www.iccrom.org or [email protected]; exh ibition for the first time, it is highly University Products, Massachusetts USA: The Home Page I ists the contents in two recommended that the Guidelines be www.universityproducts.com columns and includes general/summary read from start to finish by all concerned, info @universityproducts.co; Harpers information in one and the guidel ines i.e. conservators, registrars, curators, Ferry Historical Association in Harpers in the other. The case for conservation designers, engineers etc. Offering insight Ferry, USA; [email protected] l'i!l influence and participation throughout into aspects crucia l to the success of an Tel: +800 821-5206. Gl

the NPO Journal fi

photographic preservation e

SEPIA II (Safeguarding European Photographic Images for Access)

by Mark Browne, Senior Conservator, The British Library The British Library is one of nine partners in aEuropean Union funded (50°/o) project called SEPIA II (Safeguarding European Photographic Images for Access). The British Library will support many of the elements of the project but its main focus will be to organise an exhibition/events that will increase public awareness of the photographic heritage, preservation and science.

The SEPIA II partners are: Introduction The project • European Commission on Historical photographs are among The first strand of activ ities focuses Preservation and Access the most fragi le of heritage collections on training and exchange of • The British Library (London, in museums, archives, and libraries. experience of professionals working United Kingdom) They constitute an important part of w ith photographic collections. The • National Photographic our documentary heritage in w hat programme includes workshops, expert Conservation Studios they tell about the past, and they are meetings, seminars and publications (Rotterdam, The Netherlan ds) essentia l for an understanding of the that should contribute to sound • Public Record Office (Kew, history of photography, both in a managemen t of o lder collections in the Richmond, United Kingdom) technical sense and as a form of new digital environment. It combines • The National Library of Spain artistic expression. Interest in knowledge of (historical) photographic (Madrid, Spain) photography has grown over the past techniques, history of photography, • Stockholm City Museum decades, and this has once again preservation and preventive (Stockholm, Sweden) brought out the need for preservation conservation, expertise on imaging, • The Finnish Museum of Photography of the originals. In addition, this digital descriptions and management of digital (Helsinki, Finland) age witnesses the application of new assets. By increasing expertise in this • The Royal Library of Denmark media for increasing access to area, the programme will help (Copenhagen, Denmark) histori cal collections. Photographs institutions to open up their collections • Sachsische Landesbiblothek­ are an especially attractive category for the pub I ic through digitisation, in staats- und Universitatsbiothek for digitisation because they have a a manner that takes proper account of Dresden (Dresden, Germany) direct appea l to users. Access to the nature of historical collections and photographic collections, given the the requirements for their preservation. Associate partners: problems inherent in describing them • Centre de Recherches sur Ia adequately, has so far not been optimal, The second strand of activities is aimed Conservation des Documents and digitisation offers the possibility to at increasing awareness of the general Graphiques (C RCDG) improve this si tuation dramatically by pub I ic of the European photographic (Paris, France) offering users access to digital copies, heritage. The primary goal of this strand • Netherlands Institute for War on site or even over the internet. of activities is to convey the wealth of Documentation (Amsterdam, information contained in photographic The Netherlands) The present project builds on the collections about the history of European • Netherlands Institute for Scientific work of a preparatory year in which countries and regions. The activities w ill Information (Amsterd am, a group of institutions has mapped make clear how photography has The Netherlands) out the most pressing problems in the developed, why photographs need to • Norwegian Museum Authority, preservation of historical photographic be preserved, and how important it is the Secretariate for historical collections and reviewed how these to improve access to collections for photography (Oslo, Norway) relate to digitisation efforts. The education and interested users. The • Roya l Netherlands Academy institutions working together have programme covers exhibitions, for users of Arts and Sciences formulated a programme of activities of institutions as well as on the internet, (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) for the coming three years that events like open days, competitions • UniversityCollege(Dublin, lreland) bas ically follow two main strands. and lectures, and publications.

,,. the NPO Journal e photographic preservation

Activities SEPIA II has 3 expert meetings to discuss; Partner institutions wi II create their own European workshops • Ethics of imaging, versions in their own national language The aim of the workshops are to explore • Selection and preservation, for their own websites as well as Engl ish the relationsh ip between digitisation and • The equipment and risks in scanning versions. There will be a central portal on preservation of photographic collections. fragile/unique materials. A report and the SEPIA website. Three workshops will be held in 2001 , guide is due out at the end of this yea r. 2002 and 2003. Thefirstoftheworkshops The expert group wi II meet w ith Exhibitions in participating institutions has taken place in A msterdam. It was scanner manufacturers, the Royal The SEPIA partners have undertaken to a success, being over subscribed. Library of Denmark (Copenhagen, organ ise exhibitions in their own Denmark) and w ill also recommend institutions and organise events that will Seminar to train a 'pool of trainers' areas for further development and increase public awareness of the A condition for participation will be research. photographic heritage. The exhibitions that those who participate are able wi II present an overview of the his tory of and willing to ta ke the w ork further by Working group for descriptive models photography that combines explanation training initiatives, on different levels, and tools of technical processes (and preservation within their own institution/country/ There is no descriptive standard measures) with commentary on the value region. The seminar will be held in specifically for photographs: some of photography for documentation and Amsterdam this October, it w ill be institutions use descriptive standards as an art form. Hopefully this w ill be run by a group of experts who have current in their field (museum, archive, brought together in a kind of 'timeline extensive experience in training. library), others use (non-standard) of photography'. Partner institutions wi II description models specifically translate basic and brief texts and Workshops, Seminars, Symposia developed for photographs. In different complement 'a skeleton exhibition' by Workshops, seminars or symposia in countries efforts have been made to adding their own photographs, different European countries w ill be come to descriptive standards but none commentary on developments of organised to meet specific training has been w idely adopted. SEPIA II has national, local or regional importance, requirements on a country or region consulted and formed a group of experts work of important photographers level. They should all fall w ithin the (Stockholm City Museum, April2001) represented in their collections, etc. general area of preservation and bringing existing work further to meeting The different versions of the exhibition digitisation of photographic collections the new requirement for the digital world. will be shown in partner institutions; they and w ill be aimed at non specialists at The aim of the work package is to define will involve other institutions to ensure middle management level. These requirements for photographic that their version of the exhibition will activities will take place in the second desciptions within this context. also be shown in other places in their and third year of the project, so as to own country or region. The audience for allow sufficient time to build up a Virtual exhibition 'Constructing Europe' these exh ibitions is a general public. To network of tra iners. In the first stage of the SEPIA project, actively attract visitors, partner institutions partners have explored the possibilities are planning a variety of public events Expert meetings on topics in to create a joint digital collection on the that w ill accompany the exhibitions. preservation and digitisation of internet. It was concluded that given the historical photographic collections different description methods used (and Publications In the past year, several exploratory the different languages), the creation of The activities described in previous expert meetings were organised in the any joint digital collection will at this workpackages w ill be supported by framework of the first SEPIA project that point in time still require a substantial publications in print as well as electronic resulted in recommendations and amount of w ork. It was therefore decided form. revealed the need for further work. to create a virtual exhibition of Participants of the meetings were manageable size, of photographs selected European conference on representatives of the SEPIA partner from thei r collections by partner photographic collections institutions and invited external experts. institutions. The main aim of the virtual To be held in Helsinki 2003 and will The meetings led to the conclusion exhibition, however, is to convey to a be the close of the SEPIA II project. that there are several areas where general public the wealth of the General co-ordination and management joint activities are necessary and photographic heritage and the of the programme will be the will be fruitful. Each expert meeting importance of photography for the responsibility of ECPA (the Eu ropean w ill formulate recommendations documentation of our past. The theme of Commiss ion for Preservation and that can also be used in training the exhibition will be 'Constructing Access). For more SEPIA information sessions and that will be published Europe', covering the period from 1839 contact Mark Browne at the British on the SEPIA website. (the beginning of photography) to 1914. Library on 0207 412 7738. 61

the NPO Journal people e

people in Birmingham, in a project run jointly by And then to Reading Museums and the Local Studies Library and the Museum Archives Service for seven years, w ith that involved people in recording their glorious collections, a loans service to own history. The evidence still sits in schools, and two major capital projects Birmingham City A rchive! From to keep me busy. A ll these posts have Birmingham I transferred to Slough, had people, collections and public at again working closely with the Local their heart and have all, to some extent, Studies Library to set up a museum. The been c ross-disc i pi i nary or c ross-sectora I. museum collected photographs and oral history and tried not to collect objects on I still have a passion for that sense of the grounds that most things in Slough wonder that comes w ith 'the real thing', were duplicated elsewhere, and because w hether it is in a library, archive or there was very little storage space. museum, or on a school desk. I still bel ieve Karen Knight that access to the stuff w e look after is vital Director of Communications I moved from Slough to EastAnglia to to increase our understanding of the past, and Standards, Re:source, work for the Area Museums Service, to inform our present lives and to help us The Council for Museums,Archives advising museums throughout the region, shape the future. and Libraries and especial ly small independents that were multiplying fast. The next stop w as I also believe that setting priorities for My career started in the early 1980's, Oxfordshire w ith the County Museums conservation and digitisation are having completed my A levels, degree Service, which had just been drawn into prerequisites of the good collections and a postgraduate diploma in Museums the new Department of Arts and Leisure. management that w ill ensure that access Studies rather late in life. My passion I worked with col leagues from libraries happens and will continue to happen for then was to use 'real things' to encourage and archives as Head of Public Services fu ture generations. That's why I joined a sense of wonder in a world where and later as Collections Manager, Re:source; to bring those beliefs and that wonder was, I believed, becoming lost. completing and opening the then new passion to our new cross- secto ral world My first post was collecting Oral History 'publicly accessible' store at Stand lake. and to our many stakeholders.

Dr Field was editor ofthe Bulletin of Th e cross-domain activity and collaborations John Rylands University Library which he at national and regional levels. These relaunched as a general peer reviewed have included service for both JISC and humanities journal. CURL. Amongst many current external responsibilities, he chairs the Full In 1990 Dr Field joined the University Disclosure Implementation G roup and of Birmingham as Deputy Librarian and two consortia I Research Support Libraries Head of Research Libraries, w here he Programme projects, in the areas of initiated a programme of investment in printed music and theology and c hurch l ibrary buildings incorporati ng a number history. Clive Field of independent site libraries into the Director of Scholarship and Collections, university I ibrary system. As Head of Commenting on his appointment, The British Library Research Libraries he reinvigorated the Dr Field said ' I am delighted to be joining research collections of the Library through The British Library at what I regard as this Clive Field graduated from Wad ham a process of acquisition, cataloguing, turning point in its history. I am excited by College, Oxford in 1971 and went on conservation, publ ication and fund­ the chal lenge of being able to develop its to gain a D.Phil. in Modern H istory raising. He also negotiated a number superb collections and information from Wadham in 1974. He received his of significant archival depos its and bid resources as a coherent whole for the first postgraduate certificate in Education from successfully for a wide range of external time, and to make them more accessible in Westm inster College, Oxford in 1975. funding. a digital environment, for the benefit both of scholars and a much broader audience.' After spending tw o years as a Post­ D r Fiel d was made The University of Doctoral Research Fellow at Wad ham Birmingham's Librarian and Director of Lynne Bri ndley, Chief Executive of College, he joined the John Rylands Information Services in 1995 where he The British Library added 'As Director of University Library of Manchester as implemented a radical reorganisation of Scholarship and Collections Clive Field Assistant Li brari an. In 1987 he became the service to meet the changing needs will play a pivotal role in sustaining and Sub-Librarian at the Rylands, where he and characteristics of the higher education enhancing The British Library's curatorial was responsible for all aspects of the sector. profile as well as working alongside other Library's development and promotional Directors to advance key elements of work in the Main Library and Special Since the mid-1990s Dr Field has been Library strategy, in particular our Collections buildings. From 1987 to 1990 extensively involved in cross-sectoral and developing programme of digitisation.' - the NPO Journal news in brief

News in brief

The National M anuscripts Conservation Trust recently We offer funding to cover the cost of the repair, binding awarded the University of Nottingham Library £12,500 and other preservation measures including reprography, being 50% of the costs of the first phase of a conservation of manuscript material. The Trust w ill award up to 50% of a project to repair the Wollaton Antiphonal, an exquisitely project's cost, and the applicant needs to provide matching illuminated fifteenth century service book. This will funding. This can be in the form of an in kind contribution as involve the disbinding of the first half of the volume into well as cash. G rants awarded range from £1,000 to £30,000. separate quires, the consolidation of its pigments and inks, the repair of parchment and the fasciculing of the Closing dates for applications are 1 April and 1 October. quires prior to binding. O ther recipients of grants from the For further information and for a copy of the application form, Trust in its latest round of funding include York City Archives contact for the repair and rebinding of 'Volume NY', a volume Alison Walker consisting of nearly 400 parchment fol ios covering the Secreta ry to the Trustees period 1327-1547, G lasgow University A rchive Services The British Library towards the conservation of the B lackhouse Charters, and 96 Euston Road the RIBA British Architectural Li brary towards the Architects' l ondon NW1 2DB Papers Conservation Project. Tel: 020 741 2 7798 Fax: 020 7 412 7796 If your institution is a record office, library or another publicly E-mail: [email protected]. funded body such as a local authority, university or specialist The application form is also available on the NPO's website record repository you may be eligible for support by the Trust. at www.bl.uk/npo/

Over 1,600 of the UK's most fragile newspaper titles will The NEW SP LAN 2000 Project w ill also improve access for be saved for the nati on by a grantof£5 million made to the public to local newspapers across the w ho le of the U l< the NEW SPLA N 2000 Project by the Heritage Lottery Fund. by making the microfilmed text availab le in local libraries in It is the largest grant for preservation of part of the UK's the areas served by each newspaper, and by supplying libraries historical record ever made in the UK. w ith m icrofilm readers and reader-printers to improve access both for existing users and for new users. The NEWSPLAN 2000 Project is a unique partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, the newspaper Further information for the press is available from industry, and libraries across all parts of the UK to save the The NEWSPLA N 2000 Project: text of the country's most fragile and rare local newspapers. Dr Ann Matheson Chai rman, Board of Trustees The NEWSPLAN 2000 Project w ill preserve and improve The NEWSPLAN 2000 Project access to over 1,600 local newspaper titles in urgent peri I Tel: 0131 664 2717 from deterioration in every part ofthe UK, from County and Down to Cardiff, from Glasgow to Cornwall, and from Mr john Lauder Cumbria to Kent, extending from 1780 to 1950. Project Director This mass ive task of preservation will involve the The NEWSPLAN 2000 Project microfilming of over 40,000 volumes of local Tei: 020 741 27372 newspapers preserving 21 million pages of text.

the NPO Journal calendar e

Conferences, meetings and events

e November 12-14, Sydney, Australia Worcestershire WR6 SLB e 27-30 May 2002, Paris, France Fifth Inte rnational Conference on Tel: +44 (0)1886 832323; Preservation in the digital age. Biodeterio ra tion of Cultural Property. Fax: +44 (0) 1886 833688; Fourth ARSAG International Symposium focusing The emphasis will be on application of E-mail: [email protected] on relationship between digitisation and biodeterioralion research outcomes to small preservation of cultural heritage. Te n years of museums and developing countries. Topics e March 16-17 2002, London, Canada practice has w itnessed the emergence of include painti ngs, wooden materials, ethnographic Preservatio n. problems that affect all participants in the field. material, paper and related materials, stone, Intensive workshop in Preservation Management Further information: Franroise Flieder buildings, cases studies and environmental control. in Archives, organised by the Archival Association ARSAG, 36 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, Further information: Vi nod Daniel, of Ontario (AAO). Topics include preservation 75005 Paris, France. Tel:+ 337 44 08 69 95; Tel:+ 61 2 9320 671 2; Fax:+ 612 9320 6070 management concepts, integrating preservation Fax: +331 47 07 62 95; E-mail: [email protected] E-ma il: [email protected] into the management of archives, nature of Registration information: archival materials, elements of a preservation e June 6-11 2002, Miami, USA www.amonline.net.au/icbcp5 management programme. AIC Annual Meeting. Further information: +519 681 7151 Further information: AIC, 17 17 K St. NW, e November 25- December 15, Ste. 301, Washington, DC 20006. Burma and Thailand e April 22-24 or 24-26 2002, London, UK Tel: + 202/4S2-9S45; Fax: 202 4S2 9328; Papermaking tour of Burma and Thailand. Iron Gall Ink Corrosion Workshop. E-mail: [email protected]. A small group w ill tour Burma (Myanmar) and Two 3 day workshops run by The British Library in Thailand, visiting papermakers and papermaking association w ith the IPC. Held at the British Library. e June 13-15 2002, New York, USA areas. Last3 days will be spent participating in a 2 days of interactive theory and practice, with 3rd Art, Biology and Conservation 2002: papermaking workshop at the Jdin Paper Mill, day of lectures (common to both sessions), B iodete rioration of Works of Art. Northern Thailand. covering manufacture and chemistry of inks, Symposium at the Metropol itant Museum of Art, Further information: Donna Koretsky, overview of conservation treatments, case studies to provide a forum for the current issues in bio­ Carriage House Paper, 19 Guernsey St, and problem solving. 10 places each session. deterioration of works of art. Consists of 7 sessions Brooklyn, NY 77 222, USA. Further information: /PC, Leigh Lodge, Leigh, on biocides, conservation techniques for control/ Tel/Fax: + 1 7 18 599 7857; Worcestershire WR6 SLB cleaning of microbes, analytical methods, paper, E-ma il: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)1886 832323; stone, texti les, wood and archaeological materi a ls. Fax: +44 (0)1886 833688; Further information: Or Robert Koestler, e December 3-5, Florida, USA E-mail: [email protected] Tel:+212 5703858; Fax:+212 S703859; School for Scanning: Creating, Managing E-maii:[email protected]. and Preserving Digital Assets. e April27 2002, London, UK O rganised by the Northeast Document Paper past Paper perfect. CA LL FOR PAPERS. e June 30 - July 5 2002, Monterey, USA Conservation Centre. Includes project Study day run by The Museum of Domestic Design Indoor Air 2002. 9th International Conference management, copyright and other legal issues, and Architecture (MoDAl to coincide with 'Paper on Indoo r Air Q uality and Climate. content selection, standards, quality control, costs past Paper perfect', an exhibition that goes behind Official conference of the Internationa l Academy coll aborati ve project models, text and image the scenes in a museum exploring the processes of of Indoor Air Sciences, organised in cooperation digitisation, metadata, longevity and preservation. conservation and display. Conse rvators in any with the International Society of Indoor Air Fu rther information: www.nedcc.org discipline are sought who have undertaken Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). practical work or research on ephemeral objects to Further information: conference secretariat, e December 9-14 2001, Loughborough, UK speak about the ir area of expertise and/or specific Tel: +831 426 0148; Fax:+831426 6522; The Electronic Library: Strategic, Policy projects, and the challenges of preserving and E-mail: [email protected], or a nd Management Issues. exhibiting impermanent materials. www. indoorair2002.org. Objectives: to highlight the issues to be addressed Further information: Amy Collier, before developing a strategy for electronic Iibrary MoDA, Middlesex University, Cat Hill, Barnet, e September 1-6 2002, Baltimore, USA services. Relevant to all types of libraries. Targeted Herts EN4811T. Te/:+44(0)2084114381; Works of Art on Pape r, Books, Documents & to senior policy makers and managers worki ng in Fax: +44 (0)208 411 6639 Photographs Techniques & Conservation. libaries or information units and involved in E-mail: [email protected]. IIC Congress 2002. service provision and development strategies. The subje ct of the conference is paper in its Further information: International Networking e May 9-10 2002, Brunei Gallery, London, UK broadest sense, i ncl udi ng works of art on pape r, Events, The British Council, 1 Beaumont Place, Part and Pa rcel of the Job. books, documents and photographs. Oxford OX7 2P} , Tel: +44 (0) 1865 3 16636; Organised jointly by the British Museum and Further information: 1/C, 6 Buckingham Street, Fax: +44 (0) 1865 S57368 Institute of Paper Conservation to show how London WC2N 6BA. E-mail: [email protected]. institutions carry out planning, preparing, packing Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 1564; and transpo rting items selected for loan to E-mail: [email protected]; e February 26-28 2002, London, UK exhibitions. Includes technical, c uratorial and URL: www.iiconservation.org Japanese Scoll Painting Conservation. administrative procedures. Three day workshop at the V&A Museum for Further information: /PC, Leigh Lodge, Leigh, e September 22-28 2002, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil experienced paper conservators who occasionally Worcester WR6 5LB. Tel: +44 (0) 1886 832323; ICOM-CC 13th Triennial Meeting. encounter Chinese and japanese scroll painti ngs Fax: +44 (0) 1886 833688; Contact: Isabelle Verger, do ICCROM, and need to know how they are made and how to E-mail: [email protected] 13 via di San Michele, 1-001.53 Rome, Italy, store and d isplay them, with opportunities to Te/:+3906 S8 55 34 10; Fax +39 06 58 55 33 49; practise basic techniques and examine materi a ls e 22-24 May 2002, London, UK E-mail: [email protected], and tools. 1 0 places. Multimedia Archive Preservation: A practical www.icom-cc.org/rio2002/ Tutor: Philip Meredith. workshop. Further information: fPC, Leigh Lodge, Leigh, Organised by IASA, FI AT, PRESTO, ECPAetc. e September 2003, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK Worcestersh ire WR6 SLB Incl udes: funding, selection, the preservation The image re-integration meeting. Tel: +44 (OJ 1886 832323; factory, sustainabil ity, online and internet, the CA LL FOR PAP ERS. Fax: +44 (0) 1886 833688; small archive, commercial resources, new Papers should reflect the approaches taken by E-mail: [email protected] technology, tours of projects, copy of PRESTO diffe rent conservation disciplines; the approaches Multimedia Preservation Handbook. Lim ited to to a wide range of different types of paper-based e March 14 2002, London, UK 80 delegates, send no money but register firm objects. Each paper should describe the fu nction An Introduction to the history of stationery intention by 30 November, priority to of the object under consideration as well as the bindings. IASNFIAT/PRESTO members. reintegration techniques used and the rationale O ne day course to include new research into limp Further information:adrian. williams.O 1@ bbc.co. uk that underpinned the decision-making. and semi limp stationery binding structures and their or richard. [email protected], or write to: Further information: jean Brown, changes and evolution overtime, demonstration of Richard Wright, Technology Manager, Conservation of Fine Art, Burt /-I all binding a 16th C. stationery book, discussion of case Project, Information & Archives, S120 South Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST. studies and the problems with preserving them. Block, Reynards Mill, Windmill Rd, Brentford, Te/:0191227 333 1;Fax: 0191227 32SO; Further information: /PC, Leigh Lodge, Leigh, Middsx TW8 9NQ, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

.,. the NPO Journal