The 10-member staff is responsible for the physical care of the library's collections, which include more than 5 million books and 36,000 linear feet of manuscripts. On any given day, one would find staff members at various stations throughout the large open space quietly going about their business while listening to classical music. Their work involves tasks as simple as repairing a binding on a 19th century novel or as complicated as filling in illustrations on a 17th century Persian manuscript. Our conservators have an extensive background in the physical treatment of library materials. The collections conservation unit repairs heavily used and damaged books from the circulating, reference and reserve collections in Firestone and in the 16 subject libraries around campus.
Material is identified for preservation as it returns from circulation or use in the library.
If there's a question about what is the best preservation solution, we involve the librarians. Preserving aesthetic and function Milevski said the staff's work goes beyond simply repairing the volumes. Part of the philosophy of what we do is to try and save as much of the bindings as we possibly can so that we don't change the character of the book. The aesthetic is as important as the functionality of a book. We try not to change how it looks or feels.