Team members in the Digitization Centre (DC) have an understanding and shared responsibility for the care and handling of the collections. To ensure that we are equipped with the right knowledge to handle fragile objects during digitization projects, DC has an ongoing collaboration with the UBC Preservation Unit. Experts from the Unit provide training to ensure that we are equipped with the right skills to safely handle historical objects from UBC’s collections.

Let’s learn a bit more about the Preservation Unit and the collaboration we have with them!

UBC Preservation Unit

In September 2021, the Preservation Unit launched the Conservation Space, a specialized area dedicated to conservation, preservation and treatment of the UBC Library’s physical materials. Located at the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC), it is strategically positioned near the Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) and University Archives to facilitate the secured access between those units.

The Preservation Unit is led by Conservator Anne Lama, and Conservation Technician Hannah McKendry, who are responsible for the conservation work of several projects from RBSC and DC, including materials from all library branches.

Inside the Conservation Space of the UBC Preservation Unit. Credit: Mimi Lam, 2023

Inside the Conservation Space of the UBC Preservation Unit. Credit: Mimi Lam, 2023

Training Collaboration

One of the important ways that the Preservation Unit supports the DC is by providing training for best practices in the safe handling of historic collections for new staff and students that join our team every school term.

The Preservation Unit essentially provides support by repairing and treating physical objects and materials to ensure their stability before they can be digitized. Digitization inevitably requires the handling of these objects and materials, but this is where damage or loss is most likely to occur (Mason, 2018). The training, therefore, aims to mitigate these risks.

The training for best practice for handling collections is conducted by Anne Lama, in which she provides a succinct but thorough overview of important aspects to consider when working with historical materials.

Conservator, Anne Lama, preparing the materials for training. Credit: Mimi Lam, 2023

Some of the content she covers includes agents of deterioration, which are the factors that pose threats to collections, and their effects. She also talks about best practice pertaining to organization and logistics in order to maintain integrity of the collection, the care during transporting documents, and use of equipment to support items if needed (e.g.  gloves, spatula, soft and antistatic brush, etc.).

One of the highlights of learning in-situ at the Conservation Space is that Anne is able to demonstrate the handling procedures using actual items from the UBC Library – RBSC and showcase some of the preservation work she has completed.

In the training, Anne prepares various types of materials that are most likely to encounter during digitization: books, bound and unbound materials, photographs, and negatives. She demonstrates the recommended ways to manipulate those items. For example, how to hold a large fragile item such as a historical map in a way that allows safe mobility, as well as how to carefully turn the item over when necessary.

Conservator, Anne Lama, demonstrating best practice for handling historical objects. Credit: Mimi Lam, 2023

Additionally, she showcases a sample of a restoration and conservation work of a Papal bull from 1245 signed by Pope Innocent IV (1243-1254), which features the signatures of the Pope and 13 cardinals, considered among the oldest of its kind in Canada.

Image of the Papal Bull from 1245 in an enclosure elaborated by Anne Lama for its long-term preservation. Credit: Mimi Lam, 2023

The immersive training at the Conservation Space, albeit for a short period, provides staff and students from the DC with a unique understanding of behind the scenes of conservation work and the best practice for handling historic objects. This type of collaboration within UBC provides an enriching experience for participants and develops a stronger appreciation for the work being conducted in different fields of study.

If you would like more about the information in the article, please check out the resources below!

Recommended Resources

To learn more about the Papal bull from 1245:

• Visit our Open Collections – Papal bull, [Privilegium Innocentii IV pro monasterio S. Michaelis de Tridento] , which is part of the Western Manuscripts and Early Printed Books Collection.
• Read “800-year-old Papal bull comes to UBC Library” (2015), UBC Library post written by Jessica Woolman. You will also find a list of media articles that the item was featured in.
• Read  “UBC Library acquires 800-year-old medieval Papal document” (2015), UBC News post written by Glenn Drexhage.

To learn more about Conservator, Anne Lama and Conservation Technician, Hannah McKendry and the Conservation Space:

• “Meet Anne Lama, Conservator at UBC Library” (2019), written by Anna Moorhouse.
• “Meet Hannah McKendry, Conservation Technician at UBC Library” (2022), written by Matt Patton.
• “UBC Library opens new Conservation Space in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre” (2022), written by Anna Moorhouse

To learn more about guidelines for collections handling:

• Mason, J. (2018) Canadian Conservation Institute. Handling Heritage Objects