l Caring for your family collections: preservation workshops at National Library of Ireland

Caring for your family collections – preservation workshops at National Library of Ireland

LOUISE O’CONNOR andBRÍD O’SULLIVAN

1. This article is adapted from a presentation made at the Irish Museums Association Education and Outreach Forum on 27 June 2014, Dublin

Introduction1

The National Library of Ireland (NLI), founded in 1877, collects preserves and makes accessible the shared memory of the Irish nation at home and abroad. This is more than 10 million items, including books, newspapers, manuscripts, prints, drawings, ephemera, photographs and, increasingly, digital media. Front of house, the NLI runs a programme of events on an ongoing basis, encompassing tours, workshops, lectures, genealogy events, performances and family-focused events. Behind the scenes, NLI conservators work with exhibitions, loans, incoming acquisitions and a legacy of large collections donated to the library.

As part of the National Library of Ireland’s programme for Age and Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival, a public workshop entitled ‘Caring for your family Collections’ was organised by the Learning and Outreach and Conservation departments for three consecutive years (2010-2013). This paper presents the origin, development and unexpected positive impact the preservation workshops have achieved.

Background

The two library departments have developed a strong working relationship by collaborating on several projects as part of the NLI’s Lifelong Learning programme.

In 2009, for example, ‘The ‘Magpies’ Nest Project’, drew together local historians from Co. Wexford and Wexford artist Michael Fortune who organised an exhibition under the same title, which ran during the Bealtaine Festival that year. In preparing for the exhibition, the participants learned about the conservation issues that were involved in preparing and putting library material on display. Their questions mirrored many that had been asked by other visitors on guided tours of the NLI exhibitions, “Why is the exhibition so dark?”, “How is the material in the exhibition conserved?” or “How much of the exhibition material is

2. Shenton, H. (2008). Public Engagement with Conservation at the British Library. Conservation and Access: Contributions to the 2008 IIC Congress, London, 130-135 real/facsimile? “Similarly, it is not uncommon during tours of the Reading Room for visitors to be curious about the book support cushions on the desks and also the reasoning behind the non-use of ink pens.

All these issues led us to believe that a workshop that explained preservation and conservation to a general audience and demonstrated how it might be useful to them would prove popular. The idea was also impelled by the increase of open days and tours of conservation studios and conservation themed exhibitions, such as the National Museums Liverpool and the British Library.2

Young collectors’ workshop

With former colleague, Sarah Shiel (NLI education officer), the initial focus was a workshop for older children aged between 7 and 13. This matched similar activities which were already very popular in the NLI education schedule. In 2009, we held two workshops for small groups entitled ‘young Collectors – From Manuscripts to Match-Attack’ during the Easter and summer school holidays.

The aims of the workshop were to:

n promote collecting and to encourage participants to care for and take pride in their own collections

n introduce the collections of the National Library of Ireland

n introduce the work of the Conservation Dept and some of the ways the library cares for its collections

The group was limited to 15 and was well-attended. The workshop began with a tour of the yeats exhibition, where it was highlighted how the space is designed to help preserve the objects on display. This included noting the bandit-proof glass cases or how low ultra-violet filtered light prevents the fading of colours on the objects. Participants were encouraged to use alternative means of experiencing the collection such as the Turning The PagesTM interactive screen in the exhibition space. It was explained that this technology allows indefinite display of the digitised item without suffering damage from display or handling.

Next, the group was brought to the seminar room, where each child showed their own collection such as comic books or Match Attax® trading game cards (see fig. 1). It was then explained how library users handle similar items, such as postcards, in the NLI reading room during

their research. The use of support cushions was demonstrated and it was explained how cotton gloves will protect such items from damage during access. In the review of this workshop, it was noted that while the white gloves proved popular with this audience, the concept was not as relevant to the participants. This may have been because the collected items were ‘swapable’ and not necessarily items that they would keep for a long time.

Fig. 1 Young Collectors’ Workshop 2009- each participants talk about what their collections. Adult workshop format

With the ever growing popularity of the televisions programme ‘Who Do you Think you Are?’ and a steady stream of queries from the public to the reading room, providing a workshop for adults became the next focus. The event was included in the Heritage Week 2010 schedule and entitled ‘Caring of Personal Collections’. We deliberately avoided the ‘ation’ words, such as preservation or conservation, as this can be a hurdle to gaining the attention of the public, who are unfamiliar with such terms. The workshop was aimed at amateur collectors of paper based materials. Attendees were asked to register and also to bring along items on which they would like conservation advice. It was made clear that no appraisal on the monetary value of the items would be given.

Based on the enquiries previously received, we set the following learning outcomes:

n understand risks and causes of damage to paper collections

n recognise the need for preservation in heritage collections

n implement practical knowledge to own family papers collections

n share and discuss collections in practical open-forum learning experience

n value library collection use in holistic manner

Adult workshop content

Seating was arranged in a u-shape, to encourage an informal atmosphere. With a short 20 minute presentation, the workshop first covered the basics in preserving paper collections, such as light and temperature and humidity, pests and handling. There was some discussion on how the terms conservation, preservation and restoration are frequently interchanged and mixed up. Images of the common causes of damage on different formats such as books, letters or framed objects were shown (see Fig. 2).

Next, the polemical issue of wearing cotton gloves was discussed with the group3 In recent decades the white cotton glove myth, popularised by amateur history and genealogy television shows, has popularised the belief that cotton gloves must be worn when handling library and archive collections. However wearing cotton gloves when handling single paper items, such as letters or newspaper clippings, may cause even more damage, as the gloves dulls the sense of touch. Washing hands will prevent the transfer of dirt and natural skin oils onto the absorbent paper surface. Workshop participants were encouraged to handle their objects with clean hands, or if items are dirty, to wear well-fitting plastic nitrile gloves.

The long-term storage of paper objects was then covered. Normal stationery supplies are not suitable for long-term storage. Participants were encouraged to avoid any old cardboard box to house their collections. Ideally the box needs to be acid-free, lignin-free and with an alkaline buffer for ‘permanent’ storage. Non-archival material samples such as old Sellotape® and plastic ‘polypockets’ were passed around. Participants were encouraged to feel, touch and smell differences between good and bad folders and sleeves.

The interactive session led to an exchange of knowledge and advice from the conservator with participants sharing their own experiences.

Fig. 2 The adult preservation workshop began with a short presentation illustrating the common risks to paper collections.

3. Smith Margit J. (In Press). White gloves – required or not? Care and conservation of Manuscripts 15, Proceeding of the fifteenth international seminar held at the University of Copenhagen, 2 – 4 April 2014, Museum Tusculanum Press, University of Copenhagen (publication pending 2016)

Many of the participants were family historians, who brought in family letters or certificates of high sentimental value. They wished to hand on these items to the next generation in good condition, to encourage them to appreciate and care for them. With this common interest established, the group also exchanged stories about how the items came into their family’s possession. Others brought collections linked to their hobbies and passions, such as old and rare music books.

For items in poor condition which needed treatment, emphasis was placed on minimal intervention, the basis of modern conservation. Participants were encouraged not to repair their own objects. Instead advice on contacting a professional conservator was shared and emphasis placed on respecting the original materials and methods4

Attendees were also encouraged to consult online resources from reputable heritage institutions worldwide but to avoid non expert online material. Preservation Booklets by British Library Preservation Advisory Centre and a short workshop hand-out were distributed to participants to take away5 .

Fig. 3 Workshop participants receive conservation and preservation advice on personal items.

4. More information can be found on The Conservation Register website http://www.conservationregister.co m/PIconWorkingWithAConservator.asp 5. The Preservation Advisory Centre closed in April 2014, but booklets are still available online. http://www.bl.uk/blpac/index.html

Feedback

Over the last three years, the adult workshops have been consistently over-subscribed, with 25+ attending each event. In feedback from the 2013 event, participants stated that the workshop met or exceeded their expectations. Many people considered the workshop “very interesting”, “helpful” or “useful”. Most people found that the personal advice on their own objects was very beneficial (see fig.3). They also enjoyed the information provided on different formats such as photographs and newspapers. The information given on storage of items also seemed very helpful to the participants, particularly where to purchase storage materials. In 2011, Fred O’Callaghan kindly noted that “the whole

6. National Library of Ireland blog http://www.nli.ie/blog/index.php /2013/08/23/your-familyarchives/ 7. http://www.thejournal.ie/preservi ng-archives-family-history1135827-Oct2013/ 8. The piece is available as a podcast http://culturefilepod.tumblr.com/ post/65985600190/paperconservators-rather-like-tiger-wra nglers approach to the event and the atmosphere made it a very pleasant experience, and will make me look forward all the more to future visits to the NLI”.

Impact

Since 2010 there has been a FAQ page on preservation and conservation on the NLI website. For Heritage Week 2013, a preservation entry ‘Looking after your family collections -Prevention is better than Cure’ was also posted on the popular NLI Blog, receiving 1,279 views in two months6. This blog was then published on the online Irish newspaper thejournal.ie and received over 11,829 views by the general public7. The 2013 workshop was also recorded for radio by Colm Coyne and was broadcast on 1st November on RTE Lyric FM.8 Awareness of the NLI and preservation of heritage collections has therefore reached more diverse new audiences then could have been imagined in 2009.

Conservation stories have already proven very popular on the NLI blog and in the NLI exhibition ‘Particles of the Past’, part of Science Week 2012. In 2014 we have engaged with new and different audiences to share the Pearse Papers Conservation Project, funded by the Heritage Council, both online and in workshops. A very popular series of short 15 minute talks on this project, attended by over 60 people were held for Culture Night 2014. A high level of engagement during the question and answer sessions demonstrated a genuine interest among the attendees. Science Week 2014 will provide the opportunity to present and to share the conservation treatment story with secondary school groups.

Reflections

The content of the preservation workshops was therefore well received both in person and via online streams. The workshop format encouraged active participation and user engagement. In a friendly and open atmosphere, they were able to exchange ideas and learn new and more appropriate ways of maintaining their paper collections.

This made the workshop content more meaningful, accessible and relevant to those attending. It created awareness and encouraged learning and access to conservation and preservation to new audiences. It demonstrated that conservation has a practical connection with the

‘amateur’ collector. The workshop therefore brought information which traditionally sits ‘behind-the-scenes’ to the general public while also directly benefiting heritage collections in private hands. As a result, thousands of people have been made aware of the National Library of Ireland and have learned about the preservation of heritage collections though the education initiative. It has allowed the NLI to show that as well as collecting material, this material also has to be conserved. ultimately it showed that preservation of our cultural heritage is of public interest!

Louise O’Connor is paper conservator at the NLI since 2007. She previously worked as assistant paper conservator at National Gallery of Ireland, following a fellowship at the Chester Beatty Library.

Bríd O’Sullivan has worked in the Learning and Outreach section of the NLI since 2007.