Top of page
Posted by: Meghan Hill
The following is a guest post by Anna Darden, intern in the Preservation Research & Testing Division (PRTD). Not so long ago, LeVar Burton graced TV screens on Reading Rainbow with his emphasis on building reading comprehension and instilling a life-long love of reading for me and others in my generation. Reading is usually reserved …
Posted in: Heritage Science, Internships, Pigments, Preservation
Posted by: Megan Zins
Summer intern Oliver Ding discusses working with the Preservation Research & Testing Division in the heart of Washington D.C. Through the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED, Oliver gained access to a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), dabbled with lignin spot tests, and explored the complexity of colorants on paper.
Posted in: Events & Outreach, Heritage Science, Internships, Tangible Media, Tools of the Trade
Posted by: Meghan Hill
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.
Posted in: Events & Outreach, Heritage Science, Pigments, Preservation, Sound Recordings
Posted by: Amelia Parks
Pioneering 17th century natural scientist, artist, and engraver Maria Sibylla Merian traveled to Suriname to observe and collect insect specimens. In 1705, she published a book, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (Metamorphosis of Surinamese Insects) with large, vibrantly colored illustrations of exotic species that captivated natural history enthusiasts. Read about how a trans-disciplinary team from Preservation Research and Testing, Rare Books and Manuscripts and an Einstein Fellow worked together to examine the book and discuss research questions and goals.
Posted in: Heritage Science, Preservation, Rare Books and Special Collections
Posted by: K.F. Shovlin
The 2024 National Book Festival was a resounding success, and the Preservation staff that were part of it share their experiences.
Posted in: Collections Care, Events & Outreach, Heritage Science, Preservation
Posted by: Bobbi Hinton
American Chemical Society SEED intern David Kim waded into unknown terrain during his summer internship in the Preservation Research and Testing Division with the research question - would it be possible to identify traditional Meso-American organic yellow colors, using only non-invasive analytical methods?
Posted in: Collections Care, Heritage Science, Internships, Preservation
Posted by: Bobbi Hinton
Micherlange Francois-Hemsley, a 2024 intern working on Identifying At-Risk Underrepresented Community Collections Learning from Our Collection: Assessing and Preserving At-Risk Materials, discusses her summer spent with the Preservation Research and Testing Division.
Posted in: Heritage Science, Internships, Preservation, Rare Books and Special Collections
Posted by: Bobbi Hinton
How research and technical analysis evolved my interpretation of the historical impact of a 16th century portolan map.
Posted in: Collections Care, Events & Outreach, Heritage Science, Pigments, Preservation
Posted by: Bobbi Hinton
The following is a guest post by Meghan Hill, a preservation specialist in the Preservation Research and Testing Division of the Library of Congress. Conference season is upon us; a time to learn about exciting new initiatives in the preservation field and in turn to showcase our own work, to reconnect with colleagues from other …
Posted in: Events & Outreach, Heritage Science, Pigments, Preservation, Rare Books and Special Collections