Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Here’s proof that an archival box does what it is supposed to do, even under extreme conditions — provides protection! You would never guess that this box of newspapers was in a flood. This box of newspapers was rinsed before being sent to be freeze-dried. That’s the extent of treatment soContinue reading “Archival Boxes Provide Protection”
Author Archives: Nancy E. Kraft
Tough Decisions
Monday, November 3, 2008 Stefanie Kohn, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library curator, spent the afternoon with us. We reviewed all the objects with her, making sure we had correctly identified those that belong to the Czech/Slovak Museum. Although most items were well marked and quite obvious as to whether they belonged to theContinue reading “Tough Decisions”
Do Not Recycle; Flood-Damaged Books
Friday, October 24, 2008 It took a couple days before we had assistance to move the books and a room secured for the returned freeze-dried materials. In the meantime we kept them in the basement. It never dawned on me that someone might think these materials should be re-cycled! Thankfully someone labeled our stacks.
Documents Arrive From Freeze Dry Facility
Wednesday, October 22, 2008 The items that were sent off to be freeze dried came back today. The books from the National Czech & Slovak Library & Museum are back on skids in the NCSLM building in Cedar Rapids. The materials from the African American Museum of Iowa and the Johnson County Historical Society wereContinue reading “Documents Arrive From Freeze Dry Facility”
Music Rare Book Room Project Continues in the Dark
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 It’s business as usual in spite of the challenges. About a year ago, Gary Frost and Linda Lundy started a boxing project for the Music Library rare books. Gary takes the measurements and Linda makes the boxes. In the past, Gary would go over to the rare book room, take theContinue reading “Music Rare Book Room Project Continues in the Dark”
Goodby Ventilation Equipment
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 All are in agreement that we no longer need the additional ventilation equipment. Early arriving staff will finally be able to enter the building through the west door. It’ll be good to be back to “normal” — at least for the Main Library staff. We’ve had the equipment around so longContinue reading “Goodby Ventilation Equipment”
Conservator Helen Alten Visit
Sunday, September 14, 2008 Helen Alten is teaching at the Campbell Center, Mt. Carroll, Illinois, http://www.campbellcenter.org this week and graciously agreed to stop in for a visit to assist with some of the African American Museum of Iowa objects. To our surprise she offered to train Beth Stone and Caitlin Moore on how to clean baskets,Continue reading “Conservator Helen Alten Visit”
Amanda’s Grandma’s Bible Completed
Friday, August 29, 2008 Once the Bible was completed, Conservation Assistant Linda Lundy made a box for it. The box will give it added protection for easy transport. It’ll also protect it from dust, sunlight, and dampness. Hopefully, it’ll never go through another tornado. If it does, the box will give it extra protection andContinue reading “Amanda’s Grandma’s Bible Completed”
Overlooked Files
Thursday, August 28, 2008 We’re very lucky to have Facilities Management for our area stationed in the Main Library. When we need to discuss something we can go down to the basement and talk directly to the staff. When Mike Lee discovered he had some wet files, we were happy to be able to offerContinue reading “Overlooked Files”
Amanda’s Grandma’s Bible Continued
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Once Gary had the maps re-attached, it was time to put the cover back on. The original cover was too damaged to save it. So Gary took the outside of the cover off the inner boards and trimmed the fabric cover. He made a new black cover and then glued theContinue reading “Amanda’s Grandma’s Bible Continued”