Novel Ideas: new areas of Research, Analysis, and Interpretation in Book Conservation (online event)
Date: Tuesday 21st July, 11.00 – 12.00
Tickets: Free
Location: Online via Teams
The ARA Section for Preservation & Conservation are delighted to present ‘Novel Ideas’, an event exploring several research projects investigating new research, methods of analysis, ways of interpretation, and aspects of exhibition – all centred around how we care, access, and learn from the medium of books.
Our three speakers:
Marysia Tarnowska, Teesside University
Leather bound books, red rot, and health and safety
An exploratory investigation into the health and safety aspects of this was performed to help inform handling practices. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used on artificial sweat extracts of deteriorated leathers to quantify elements of concern (As, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Ni, Ba, and Se). Levels above permissible limits of As, Cd, and Pb were detected in several deaccessioned samples from the Natural History Museum, London.
Based on the results of this study, personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when working with red rotting leather-bound books, and further tests suggested.
Tony King and Lauren Moon-Schott, Durham University
Blue Skies and Barriers: Incorporating Heritage Science into a Working Conservation Studio
With scientific analytical approaches revealing more about the methods and materials used to create heritage objects than ever before, heritage science is hailed as a tool for investigation and research, diagnostics and treatment planning. As such, it has joined a seemingly ever-growing list of activities in which conservators desire to become proficient and is one that comes with a steep barrier for entry from both financial and educational perspectives. Durham University conservators will talk about their aspirations for embedding heritage science into everyday working and examine the practicalities and complications of implementing those ambitions.
Jill Unkel, Curator of Western Collections, Chester Beatty Library
Manuscripts and the Mind
Mapping the Margins is a University of Glasgow project based in the School of Critical Studies and funded by the Templeton Religion Trust. The project examines paratexts and explores how they contribute to the acquisition of knowledge and understanding through engagement with literary and visual artwork. Studying paratexts in all their variety in ancient manuscripts is an opportunity to learn how people from the past experienced these manuscripts, how they understood them, and what they did with them. This project assembled a multidisciplinary team and using today’s technologies hopes to better understand how people from the past and in modern times process and approach Sacred Traditions through the paratexts. The exhibition, Manuscripts and the Mind brought together the various research projects into a cohesive story, exploring the paratextuality of a variety of manuscript cultures represented in the Chester Beatty collections. This talk will introduce how the project, and how the exhibition attempted bring it all together.
Although this event is being organised by the Section for Preservation and Conservation, we welcome participants from all the ARA’s nations, regions and sections.
There will be time for questions following the talks, so please feel free to submit questions in the Teams Q&A.
If you have any further questions, please email the event organisers at preservationandconservation@archives.org.uk
Please book your place on Eventbrite before Monday 20th July 2026 at 12 noon.