Library Accessories provides sound, sensitive book repair and restoration using high quality materials and traditional techniques. The precise nature of what treatment your book undergoes depends upon, among other things, the current condition, anticipated future use, monetary value, uniqueness and historical value.
The goal in restoration is not to make an old look brand new (although a new binding may do that), but to bring a book back into useable condition using techniques that are visually subtle or nearly invisible.
Conservation and Preservation
Conservation and Preservations Audits for Documentation Centres, Institutions and Libraries.
Observation of the current status in all aspects of the object suggestion of remedial measures both immediate and long term for the preservation of the collection.
Paper Conservation and Preservation
- Document Conservation and Preservation Audits
This will include the observation of the current status in all aspects of the object suggestion of remedial measures both immediate and long term for the preservation of the collection.
- Mending of Deteriorated Documents
Repairs would be carried on in the form of removal of folds, rebuilding of corners and reinforcement of the stitching and covers, by the use of different techniques.
- Vacuum Fumigation for Fungus and Insect, Mildew, Control
The use of various fumigation techniques would be implemented in the control of fungus insects mildew etc either in the fumigation chamber or on site of the collection.
- Stain Removal and Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning of the object would be carried by the use of various techniques for removing the dust dirt and stains present on the paper object. Solvents and solutions, or a mixture of them would be used to soften the stains present on the paper objects.
- Examination and Documentation
Examination and testing of various types would be carried out and documented before the start of the conservation treatment on the objects. A report would be made in which the probable line of treatment would be suggested.
- Library Material Conservation
Suggestion of ways for treatment of single objects or multiple objects in the collection, as to storage, treatments and after treatment upkeep.
- Stain Removal and Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning of the object would be carried by the use of various techniques for removing the dust dirt and stains present on the paper object. Solvents and solutions, or a mixture of them would be used to soften the stains present on the paper objects.
- Oil Painting Conservation
- Stone Conservation
- Historic Building Conservation
- Metal Conservation
- Textile Conservation
Manuscripts on Paper
A large proportion of the manuscripts on paper from Central Asian collections have received some kind of conservation/restoration treatment at some point in the course of their lives. Unfortunately some of these early experimental treatments, especially the ones carried out before 1970, proved to be damaging to the objects and have accelerated their decay. Where lining was added, the adhesives used had often cross-linked and damaged the paper fibres, causing discolouration, distortions, cracks and losses of media and support. Some objects were lined on both recto and verso with silk gauze. This type of treatment has had the adverse effect of limiting flexibility of movement to the paper and, in addition, the ageing silk has become brittle and embedded into the paper fibres. The adhesive used with the silk lining has also in most cases proved inadequate causing yet more damage to the objects. The modern approach to Central Asian manuscripts does not involve the addition of supports in the form of lining or facings.
Materials used for conservation and preservation of manuscripts on paper includes:
- Japanese and Chinese Brushes
- Wheat Starch Paste
- Japanese Hand-made Paper (various types and thicknesses)
- Acid-Free Tissues
- Paulownias Wood Boxes
- Acid-Free Rollers
Today, conservation treatments carried out on these objects involves:
- Surface Cleaning
- Humidification
- Lining Removal (when necessary)
- Silk Removal (when necessary)
- Infill of Losses
- Tear Repairs
- Flattening
- Edge Repairs
- Adhesive Removal
- Addition of End Panels with Previously Toned Paper
- Providing Acid-Free Standard Rollers to Support the Scrolls
- Acid-Free Standard Boxes for Storage
- Some paper manuscripts have only survived as small fragments. These types of material generally only require the minimum of intervention. Re-housing is as crucial for their preservation as it is any other conservation treatments.
