When to send material to Conservation before Imaging?
The criteria used to determine whether an item should receive conservation before being digitized is similar to list for Quick Repair found in the Routing Fragile Materials entry. The process of digitization, however, can put different pressure on material and it is important to take into consideration these other potential problems before sending an item to digitization.
- Tears in leaves that go into text or any tears longer than 1 cm (This is especially true if 1) it obscures the text or 2) the placement of the tear on the page means that the tear could increase due to the movement of the operator performing the digitization or the scanner itself.)
- Loose text leaves; loose sections; broken, failing, or missing sewing
- Detached/dangling spines or broken/loose other bits
- Old mends/repairs that are causing further damage when book is used
- Tip-ins or overlays that obscure the text underneath
- Staples, brads, string (The removal of string must be approved by the Curator.)
- Wrinkled or folded leaves, especially if the text is obscured
If the hinge or joint of a volume is cracked, please also give the item to the Reproductions Coordinator to be reviewed by the staff at Imaging Services. The reference scanners, in particular, have been known further damage volumes exhibiting this problem. It may have to go to the studio.
Workflow
1. Consult material before sending estimate to determine if conservation work needs to be done.
2. If the conservation work is extensive and will require special handling at Imaging Services or transfer to the WPC, the patron’s request should be transferred to the photo-duplication liaison.
3. Flag the material with the instructions and leave it on one of the two conservation shelves labeled “Conservation Shelf –Outgoing” in the back right corner. If the request is time-sensitive, please note that on the flag, as well.
4. The conservator will meet with the photo-duplication liaison at a scheduled time each week to examine and prioritize the items that need treatment.
5. The conservator will move the material to the “In Photoduplication – Conservation” queue and will enter the estimated date of completion in the notes section of the Aeon slip.
6. Once the treatment is completed, the conservator will return the material to shelf labeled “Conservation Shelf-Return”.
7. The photo-duplication liaison will deliver the material back to the Public Services Staff member.