Conservation Research In Libraries Illustrated David Howell Ludo Snijders by David Howell, Ludo Snijders, Andrew Beeby, Kelly Domoney, Anita Quye 9783110375251, 3110375257 instant download after payment.

This book attempts to describe the emerging area of scientific endeavour being carried out in research libraries. The scientific analysis and investigation of heritage material has a long history in museums. The first in-house museum laboratory was established in 1920 at the British Museum, London, where Harold Plenderleith, an early pioneer of conservation famous for his seminal book (Plenderleith 1956), worked in the newly created Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In the century following, scientific methodologies and applications have been revolutionized. Techniques have phased in and out of fashion, much smaller samples are sufficient for many techniques, while non-destructive analysis without sampling is possible with others.

Scientific analysis and research have historically been practised much less in libraries than in museums. As will be apparent throughout the text of this book, the main restraints have been the requirement to take samples and the difficulties in applying existing technologies safely to complete objects. Recent advances in commercially available portable analytical equipment and bespoke apparatus designed specifically to be used with library material has led to a slow increase in research activity.