The Book and Paper Special Interest Group represents conservators from a wide variety of backgrounds who share a common interest in the preservation and conservation of books and paper-based materials (such as: prints, drawings, watercolours, manuscripts, maps, scrolls, graphic documents and archival materials). Traditionally, book and paper conservators have also been required to be familiar with a broad range of associated materials including photographs, film, sound and new media technologies – however these are fast becoming the subject of separate study as conservators choose to specialise in these fields.
The conservation of paper-based materials involves stabilisation through use of high-quality archival grade materials and minimally invasive techniques to preserve items as they currently are, retaining as much original material as possible. Conservation often accompanies preservation strategies such as appropriate storage, environmental monitoring, staff training, reformatting and security.
The current SIG convenors are Analiese Treacy (Art Gallery of NSW), Jennifer Todd (National Library of Australia), Caitlin Knight (current student: MA. Conservation, University of Melbourne).
Book publishing in China during 1920s-1940s:
An insight on the history, printing techniques, paper manufacturing and collection survey
Yuhong Zhang presents her findings obtained during the conservation survey at the Baillieu Library of the University of Melbourne. The talk covers the broad range of publishing sectors like paper making, printing and binding methods and also describes publication distribution between the 1920s-1940s.
EVENTS
The Book & Paper SIG traditionally holds a Symposium in conjunction with the Photon SIG every 2 years, and regularly facilitates talks and practical workshops. Such events provide a valuable platform for the sharing of experiences and ideas on specific areas of expertise through open dialogues, practical hands-on experiences and round table talks and discussions. The Book & Paper SIG is currently in the process of developing an online forum where colleagues at all levels can exchange ideas, share practical information, facilitate open discussions, disseminate group-related news, post jobs & announcements and ask general questions.
PAST SYMPOSIA
2018 – The 10th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – Revisitation, 20-23 November 2018, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne, VIC.
2016 – The 9th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – Light, Colour, Structure, 10-12 October 2016, National Gallery, Canberra, ACT.
2014 – The 8th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – On paper? 7-9 May 2014, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
2012 – The 7th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – 29-31 August 2012, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD.
2010 – The 6th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – 17-19 November 2010, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC.
2008 – The 5th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – 23-25 July 2008, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT.
2006 – The 4th Book, Paper & Photographic Materials Symposium – 19 -21 April 2006, Wellington, New Zealand.
USEFUL RESOURCES
AUSTRALIA:
National Archives of Australia
https://www.naa.gov.au/information-management/storing-and-preserving-information/preserving-information
Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/about/our-work/projects/conservation
Museum of Applied Art and Science
https://maas.museum/research/conservation/
INTERNATIONAL:
CoOL Conservation Online
https://cool.conservation-us.org/
Northeast Document Conservation Centre
https://www.nedcc.org/
ICON – Book and Paper Group
https://icon.org.uk/groups/book-paper
Canadian Conservation Institute
https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute.html
FACEBOOK PAGES/GROUPS:
The Book and Paper Gathering
https://www.facebook.com/thebookandpapergathering
ICON – Book and Paper Group
https://www.facebook.com/ICONBookPaper/
IIC – International Institute for Conservation
https://www.facebook.com/International.Institute.for.Conservation/
AIC – American institute for Conservation
https://www.facebook.com/aiconservation/
Need more information? Email the Convenors at: