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Press release from Johns Hopkins University prior to the event

Summary of the Conservation Science Research Meeting April 28^th and 29^th, 2008 Johns Hopkins University The Sheridan Libraries Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Chairs: Sonja Jordan-Mowery, Director for Library Preservation, JHU Nels Olson, Ph.D.

The two-day meeting convened on Monday, April 28^th and 29^th, 2008 at the Charles Commons Conference Center, located on the Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. The participants included internationally recognized conservators and scientists from the United States, Canada, and Europe, along with representatives from the paper industry, pigment and dyes, mass deacidification, photographic industry, and manufactures of conservation equipment. Also attending were representatives from National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute for Museum Library Services, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Meeting Objectives Convene a two-day meeting of formal dialogue between conservators and scientists in order to identify the pressing needs in book and paper conservation for libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions and develop strategies for addressing those needs Identify and prioritize the conservation needs of importance to libraries, museums, and archives Recommend ways to strengthen newly identified collaborations and ways to engage respective disciplines, organizations, institutions, and individuals Identify individuals and institutions willing to form a Conservation Science Steering Committee responsible for developing and reviewing strategies for addressing the conservation needs identified; for building partnerships, relationships, collaborations; and for developing a business plan and a sustainability model
State of Affairs in Conservation Science Research There was general consensus that coordinated and strategic conservation science research efforts in the United States were lagging behind similar efforts in Europe. A number of elements were identified as possibly contributing to this situation. Inadequate scholarly and research communications models for conservation science Due to short term interest in the field or to the need to move on to other research topics, conservation and conservators are being left behind by the U.S. scientific community Conservation scientists are few Inadequate amount of research being conducted in applied conservation science in U.S. by research universities, conservation facilities, and/or national libraries, archives and museums (e.g., leather studies and iron gall ink studies are being actively investigated in Europe through national libraries and conservation facilities) Inadequate access to new or ongoing independent research in industry Conservators are not engaged deeply enough or long enough with the scientists to follow up on efficacy of scientific application in the field Conflicting conservation science in the field, which does not help the conservator No central conservation science research lab, such as CCI, that could serve the material science research needs of the conservation community Increased focus over the last decade on preventative and mass treatment measures as impact strategies, without equal focus on conservation treatment Conservators moving into management and an aging profession Few educational opportunities to develop conservation scientists
Areas Needing Research Participants identified a diverse list of conservation science research needs for paper based collections. Some of the topics represent new areas of research just started and some topics needing ongoing research. Yet there was consensus that conservation had to do more in reviewing some of its past treatments and past science. A selection of the research needs included: Paper Research Paper strengthening Paper splitting Parylene Lini Sizings and coatings Loss and alteration in treatment Testing of materials Those marketed as archival and used in conservation Rayon as used in book conservation (Japanese book cloth coverings) – future problems Replacement material for heat set tissue for paper collections Testing of commercially available adhesives (continuing research) Research into reversibility of older treatments Lamination Silking Soluble nylon Leather dressings Insoluble adhesives (synthetic and natural) Further research into Encapsulation Ink bleeding & reversal Dating materials, e.g., inks applied to paper Long-term effects of solvent treatments on paper – alcohol, acetone, toluene, (e.g. Ethanol baths for calcium phytate) Deacidification Further research in all methods of deacidification Investigation of natural aging effects on Barrow treated materials Leather Use of Klucel-G or other consolidants Effects of alcohol Other methods of introduction Treatment possibilities for brittle leather New leather – standards for stability, conservation materials Comparative analysis of historic vs. modern leather Consolidants for pigments and manuscripts – materials and application methods Organic materials in exhibition settings Penetration depth Parchment Iron gall ink on parchment Reinforcing effects of mold degradation Verdigris corrosion on parchment
Science and Industry Scientists and industry reported both on current and potential projects, as well as the demands placed on researchers, the challenges in support, and the demands to do more in order to be responsive to conservators. The discussions revealed the sorts of perceptions, expectations, and obstacles that exist among the different participants as well as the current environment for funding, education, training, and interdisciplinary understanding. Scientists from the British Library, the Canadian Conservation Institute, Smithsonian Institution Conservation Center, and the Library of Congress summarized current and potential areas of research, which showed similar issues and concerns. A link to their research will be provided here soon.

Conclusion The two-day meeting was a positive and encouraging exchange among many professionals. Following the meeting, The Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries will be working towards the next steps: identifying partners and collaborators for the Conservation Science Research Steering Committee whose goal would be to review and prioritize research project proposals; develop ongoing and sustainable research partnerships among a range of institutions; develop strong communication models for scholarly publication; and provide direction for a Conservation Science Research Center at Hopkins which would serve as a resource for conservators throughout the country.