Treatment Techniques for Flat Paper

Learning objectives:

Techniques will be covered that can do a substantial amount of good for the collection, but can be performed with minimal equipment, space and materials.  Additionally, students will learn how to teach techniques to others and how to evaluate and improve technician’s performance.  Students will learn to:

• Perform basic conservation treatments including dry cleaning; humidification and flattening; mending; designing and building enclosures; prepare and install an exhibit.
• Assess the physical nature of materials and select appropriate repair techniques
• Allocate conservation treatment resources
• Assess basic laboratory safety

Tools and materials

Students will be provided with a tool kit for use during the semester.  The tool kit must be returned in good condition at the end of the semester.   Treatments will be performed on a variety of collection and non-collection materials which will be provided by the instructor, but students are welcome to bring in materials from their personal collections to augment class assignments.  Students will be responsible to supply some materials such as small books for enclosures.