This book first came to the attention of Martin Rare Book Librarian Donna Hirst when a patron requested to see some of the herbals in the collection. The poor book had been overlooked, though at one time it appears to have seen a lot if use. Or maybe just a lot of neglect. Donna HirstContinue reading “An Ailing Herbal Comes to Conservation Lab”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Stone
Record Cleaning
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Caitlin and I discussed the timeline for returning the LPs and 45s to the Czech Museum yesterday, and we decided to start forging ahead with the final wash of the albums. We are using the same method we used right after the flood, when there was still a ton of mudContinue reading “Record Cleaning”
For the Record: First Box of Czech/Slovak Museums LPs Done!
Thursday, May 14, 2009 For months now we have been slugging away, dry cleaning the Czech Museum’s LP album covers, and we are just past the half-way point. As we get closer to the end, we are filling the area that currently houses the clean records and the clean covers. I thought it may beContinue reading “For the Record: First Box of Czech/Slovak Museums LPs Done!”
Beautiful Boxes Assembly Line Style
Thursday, May 14, 2009 In the lab, we refer to Linda as “the Machine.” As Caitlin and I have occasionally constructed a few blueboard clamshell boxes for items from the African American Museum, Linda has been spitting out cloth covered drop spine boxes. She primarily makes these types of enclosures for Hardin, the Art Library,Continue reading “Beautiful Boxes Assembly Line Style”
Metal Cleaning Party
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Several weeks ago, Steve Stenstrom offered to give us a quick workshop on metal cleaning and preservation techniques. Our best guess is that we have a bout 100 metal items to clean — most are from the African American Museum of Iowa. We really needed his assistance, took him up onContinue reading “Metal Cleaning Party”
Boxing Up African American Objects
Thursday, January 29, 2009 Since all the cleaned items will be off to their home, I am taking today and tomorrow to box them up for travel, and also future protection. It is so pleasing to see these items we have lived with snuggled in new boxes, waiting to be picked up. Making the clamshell boxesContinue reading “Boxing Up African American Objects”
Washing Music Library LPs
Friday, January 23, 2009 Librarian Anne Shelley brought down a box of soon to be digitized LPs with the request that we clean them. We were happy to do so, as it would give us a chance to make sure that our dish drainer could convert itself into an LP drying rack. I set upContinue reading “Washing Music Library LPs”
Cleaning LP Covers
Friday, January 9, 2009 We have started on the covers, finally. After Caitlin and Nancy worked out the prototype, and found and ordered the proper plastic sleeves for the job, we just have to start digging in and doing the work. It makes the most sense to work on a box at a time, toContinue reading “Cleaning LP Covers”
Leigh Ann Randak Visits
Monday, November 10, 2008 Leigh Ann from the Johnson County Historical Society came to sort through the books that were freeze-dried and then stored at the UI Main Library –to see what we had here and take away anything she needed, or didn’t need us to work on. Since the boxes are stacked to theContinue reading “Leigh Ann Randak Visits”
Basket Cleaning
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 We march on with cleaning baskets. This consumes most of my time at the lab now, as we are trying to finish cleaning the baskets before November 11th. I think we might cut it close. Sometimes it is difficult to know when to stop, as it seems there is always moreContinue reading “Basket Cleaning”