Recently, the Preservation Research and Testing Division created interactive, multisensory activities to showcase how science supports the preservation of the Library’s collections. Focusing on paper, pigments, and audiovisual materials that represent just a part of the Library's eclectic collection, these hands-on experiences engaged the public in understanding how we study, protect, and predict the aging of cultural heritage.
The Library of Congress holds one of the largest collections of globes in the world. Globes present many difficulties when considering aspects of storage and housing, they are an unusual shape, they have moveable or detachable pieces, can be very fragile, and staff and researchers may need to view the entire circumference of the globe. Preservation Specialist James Thurn explains how the Library of Congress houses these globes in an innovative way that makes the globes easier to view and access and creates secure, protective housing.
As the United States prepares for its 250th Birthday next year, a piece of America’s Bicentennial Celebration came through for binding. Take a look at how Processing and Preparation handles this binding style and compare how things have changed over the past 50 years.
