Library of Congress Fellows share their role conducting comparative analysis on copies of the “same” book and carrying out chemical testing for the Assessing the National Collection (ANC) project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Curators, conservators, and preservation scientists collaborate to conduct pre-exhibit testing on 18th Century thangka, Buddha Shakyamuni which will be displayed in Collecting Memories: Treasures from the Library of Congress, in late 2023.
The Library of Congress partners with five universities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to test 2,500 books and observe trends in the assembled data; assessing the physical condition of the national collection.
One unique and CHARMing collection at The Library of Congress is made up of other peoples’ discards, handmade replicas, and miscellany. A non-collection as it were, it is an amalgamation of reference samples and materials used by preservation scientists to expand discovery and research opportunities.
Laboratory investigation of material evidence in incunables - early printed books - can reveal not just how they were made, but sometimes when, where or by whom they were owned and read.
Scientific analysis of an unusual image of the face of Christ in a late 15th C German devotional manuscript has revealed critical and surprising information about its current condition, its original making, and its meaning.
Some of the colorants traditionally used for dyeing textiles or making paints and inks are also found in foods and drinks. This post describes a festive fall meal using several such ingredients, with examples of the colors and their use in art.
James Madison’s detailed notes on the debates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 allow researchers a glimpse into the creation of the federal Constitution.
IRENE, which stands for Image Reconstruct Erase Noise Etc., is a method for extracting sound from mechanical audio recordings, such as phonograph records and cylinder records. What makes IRENE special is that the entire process is contactless, allowing us to extract audio from broken, fragile, and otherwise unplayable objects while reducing the possibility of damage.