Each staff members received short training and practical attachment in the National Archives in order to develop their skills and expertise in handling conservation and restoration works. With added new responsibilies, the unit has now been upgraded to a Division since 1988 and is headed by a Senior Librarian. In return, the owner of the Malay Manuscript permits Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia to microfilm the material for its collection. The main technical activities include deacidification, crompton tissue repair, lamination and traditional repair. Fumigation of the manuscripts is conducted by a private sector.
Acidity is primary cause of paper deterioration.
Manuscripts with high acidity contents, with pH values than 5.0, need to be acidified. For brittle and badly conditioned manuscripts, restoration is done by traditional repair. The Unit is responsible for all activities relating to the restoration of printed materials especially rare monographs, old government gazettes and other government publications. The Unit is responsible for all types of binding activities of library materials such as monographs, serials and seminar papers . Quality papers and acid free materials are use in binding activities.