Ever wonder what all those intriguing looking instruments in science labs actually do? This first reimagined installment of our “Tools of the Trade” series takes an up-close look at microscopy. Learn how the Library uses this classic technique to look at a material’s structure, answer preservation questions about the collections, and capture intrigue.
A 2026 Librarian in Residence details the history and current uses of manuscript marking ink at the Library of Congress, highlighting how many niche practices are vital to both preservation and librarianship.
In celebration of Washington’s birthday this year, learn about a special portrait of the nation’s first president. Scientists in the Library’s Preservation Research and Testing Division, working with a visiting researcher, recently discovered the use of a unique artist material in the drawing, making it a truly exceptional portrait of President George Washington.
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 …
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 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 …
Clays, gemstones, corrosion products, poisons, plants, and more – green pigments used in books and manuscripts over the centuries have some surprising origins!
