The Evolving Role of Conservation in Digital

Partnership Projects at the National Archives

Amy Lubick Paper Conservator

Record review

Conservation Assessment

Condition of records Estimate of time required for treatment Document size and format Items that may require special handling

Collaborate with Custodial Archivist

Discuss and determine treatment options

Removal and replacement of fasteners Approach to ribbons and seals Attachments

Training for Record Processing Volunteers and/or

Staff

General Handling Guidelines

Project Specific Instruction

Processing Technician Sleeving documents and photos Removing and replacing fasteners Flagging items for conservation treatment

Torn documents Documents with glued attachments Embedded fasteners

Flagging oversize items

Oversize documents Physical oversize(exceeds size of

scanning platen) Digital oversize

(document size exceeds what the camera is able to capture at 300 ppi)

Conservation Treatment

Conservation Project Manager Performs Conservation Assessment Drafts guidelines for treatment Reviews guidelines with conservators and

technicians assigned to the project Assigns boxes of records to staff for

treatment Collects completed boxes Compiles project data

Data Collection Box number Treatment performed Total number of items

requiring conservation intervention

Total time spent on box

Special notes

Southern Claims Project Statistics

220 boxes of records 6362 documents treated 493 total hours Approximately 2 ¼ hours per box Average 5 minutes per document needing

treatment

Equipment Review

Overall soundness of set-up

Needed components present

Size of the scanning platen

Equipment Review

Materials used to construct, cover or extend the platen

Lighting System Adequate space for

handling records

Scanning Technician Training

Scanning Technician Training Fasteners

Removal Replacement

Use of labels Gloves for photos Flagging records

Conservation Oversize

Use of soft weights

Use of soft weights

As scanning moves forward…. Check in on scanning

technicians Replenish needed

supplies Answer questions Determine any further

records handling needs Monitor equipment and

work flow on behalf of records needs

Conservation Goals for Digital Partnership Projects

Identify risks and needs for records during digitization process

Prepare records so they can be handled safely

Provide training in records handling

Conservation Goals for Digital Partnership Projects

Identify options for digitization efficiency and process improvements

Collaborate with other NARA units and the partner

Support digitization process overall and support project goals

Thank you Doris Hamburg Mary Lynn

Ritzenthaler Catherine Nicholson NARA Conservation

Staff

amy.lubick@nara.gov (301) 837-0681