Page Contents 1 minute read.
Preservation Lab Overview
The primary function of the Preservation Lab is to support the Special Collections department, although we work with all UNT Library departments to provide training, consultation, and general preservation and repair services to ensure that the UNT Libraries’ collections remain in good condition and available to our students, faculty, and researchers.
Preservation Services for Special Collections
Our primary work for the Special Collections department is to preserve materials in the best possible condition, while making them accessible for use with the least risk of damage. This may include:
Housing Enclosures
We construct specialized enclosures for rare books, photographs, maps, and other flat and 3-dimensional objects, including:
- Encapsulation
- Mylar Jackets and Wraps
- “Four-Flap” Enclosures
- Phase Boxes
- Clamshell Cases
Material Preservation and Repair
Other preservation services include:
- Cleaning of materials
- Mold treatment
- Deacidification
- Humidification and Flattening
- Paper repairs
Long-Term Care and Consultation
- Preparing collections for long-term permanent storage
- Exhibition consultation and planning
- Environmental monitoring
- Disaster planning
- Conducting preservation assessments and surveys
Preservation Services for General Collections
For the general collections and other Library departments, we aim to keep items in the best possible condition for circulation and general use within the Libraries. This work includes:
Repairs and Treatments
General repairs for circulating and non-circulating items, such as:
- Book re-casing
- Spine removal and repair
- Double-Fan adhesive binding
- Page repair
- Velo-binding
- Sewing supplemental materials into circulating items
- Adding pocket enclosures
Training and Consultation
- Training staff in other departments on basic repairs
- Offering consulting services on repair and housing methods
Limitations and Assistance
At this time, we are not able to offer preservation services to the UNT community outside of the Libraries or to the general public. However, please feel free to contact us for guidance or advice regarding your preservation needs and concerns.
Learn More
To learn more about our Preservation Lab, please take our Preservation Lab virtual tour.
