Preservation Week | Fordham University Libraries Rare Books & Medieval Manuscripts

In celebration of Preservation Week, this video gives a look into how librarians preserve rare books and fragile items in the Fordham University Libraries Archives & Special Collections. Preservation is how we pass knowledge on into the future. Check out our blog post for more info: librarynews.blog.fordham.edu/...
To learn more about the American Libraries Association (ALA) Preservation Week initiative, visit: www.ala.org/alcts/preservation...
Visit the libraries at: www.fordham.edu/library
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Transcript:
Take a step inside the Fordham University Library Archives & Special Collections, here in the Walsh Library at Rose Hill. This is where you can find the university’s historical documents as well as artifacts, rare books, medieval manuscripts, and more. Preservation is an essential practice in the archives and special collections. Our goal is to ensure researchers can study these materials long into the future. Fragile objects can be preserved in different ways. Preservation cases are made by our librarian to house specific books. Sitting on the shelf for many years leaves books vulnerable, but they can be safely fit inside acid-free cases and be pulled when necessary.
Manuscript leaves can be encased individually in plastic mylar sleeves, and then fixed within a mat frame, sometimes with its own cover. These enclosures support the fragile leaves, allowing them to be handled without further damage. When a book falls apart, the librarian uses linen to hold the broken pieces together and restore the book’s binding. Everyone can contribute to preservation by using books with care. Archivists and librarians are here to help guide you.
Digitization helps reduce wear and tear on fragile items, because researchers can view the content without needing to interact with the physical copy. Visit our Digital Collections to see more. All students and faculty are welcome to contact the archives to schedule a visit!