Syllabus

Description

The conservation challenges of library and archival holdings are compounded by the nature of the institutions in which they are housed and the provision of public access for research and study. The philosophy of archival and library conservation will be assessed (preservation of information versus the object) as well as integrated approaches to preventive conservation and the use of new technologies. Building on the knowledge and skill base developed in the Conservation and Material Science of Paper, this applied module includes off site visits to, and assessment of, library and archival collections.

Aim

To enable students to identify, assess and treat archival, library and photographic materials.

Course Outcomes

know the scope of collections found in archival and library holdings (prints, maps, drawings, manuscripts, photographs, etc.) and the specific challenges of their form, structure, support, and environmental requirements

understand and manage the special conservation problems resulting from public access to library and archival collections

understand the concept of mass treatments

know the key characteristics of historic photographic process and distinguish between examples

Course Format

This course is scheduled as three hours of contact time per week. The course will be presented through a variety of delivery techniques including: lectures, seminars, special workshops, demonstrations, laboratory exercises and treatments, field trips, and independent learning. Students are requested to remain flexible during the delivery of the content. Classes may be subject to alternate delivery format, or may be rescheduled to accommodate other activities in the Collections Conservation and Management Programme.

NOTE: The course is reduced in length as the materials science component for paper applies to archival holdings also.

Course Content

week 1	Labour Day
week 2	Site Visit: PCMA Overview of Mid Sized Archival Collection in a Typical Museum Archives as a Resource Getting to Know the Collection Working with Archival Collections
week 3	Conservation as a Small Business Assigned Readings Outline of Assignment: Archival Holdings/Materials
week 4	Assigned Readings Proposed Site Visit: "Archives" - Canadian Canoe Museum Or Trent University Archives Video 5 Archival Materials: Environmental Guidelines for Archives Paper Based Materials Encapsulation Exercises Access to Collections/Preservation of Collections
week 6	Introduction to Photographs and Related Materials Photographic I. D. Workshop Guest Presenter: lona McCraith Practical Test: value 25%
week 7	Thanksgiving
week 8	Independent Study Week
week 9	Archival Materials: Photo Albums Paper Based Collections: Maps, Works of Art on Paper, Newspapers, Drawings Assignment of Archival Object for Treatment Assignment: Archival Holdings due. Value: 25%
week 10	CCI Box Making Workshop By: David Hannington
week 11	Conservation and Preservation of Books Possible "Dissection" of a Book Repair Options Preventive Conservation (Object Treatment)
week 12	Archival Materials Film and Sound Recordings Cellulose Nitrate, Video, Compact Disc
week 13	Policies/Ethics/Access/Attitudes Towards Archival Holdings Concept of Mass Treatment Assessments and Surveys
week 14	Proposed Works of Art/Paintings in Collections Object Treatment Due: Value 20%
week 15	Final Test: Value: 25%

Please note that the above is a proposed breakdown. There are still a number of special workshops/seminars awaiting confirmation. Given, this class is scheduled on Mondays, there are several Mondays which will be missed due to holidays and/or other Collections Conservation and Management Programme specific activities. Every reasonable attempt will be made to give students enough lead time to accomodate adjustments in the content delivery as it is outlined above. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Evaluation:

Item	Date Due	Value
Photographic Identification	week 6 (Oct. 8)	25%
Archival Material	week 9	25%
Archival Treatment	week 14	25%
Term Test	week 15	25%

Outline of Archival Material Assignment

Select a material or object type found in an archival collection. Write a technical note/bulletin which includes: a description of the materials and the method of manufacture for your material (i.e., history of technology information, composition, characteristics of the material, properties, etc.), the agents of deterioration, care and handling recommendations, environmental requirements, preventive conservation options i.e, basic cleaning and stabilization and a bibliography.

It is hoped that the papers will be prepared in a standard format i.e., type face/font and size, with standard headings for areas of specific content. The format will be decided upon by the group. Each student will address a different type of material found in Archival Collections. Suggested topics include but are not limited to:

Newspapers

Micro film

Video

C.D.'s

Motion/moving picture film

Safety film

Cellulose nitrate

Records

Cylinders wax, plastic

Maps

Manuscripts

Blue prints

Land deeds

Books

Leather bound volumes

Cloth bound volumes

Other: oversized volumes, Bibles, registry books

Photographs

Ambrotypes,

Daguerreotype

Union cases

Tintypes

Albumen

Cyanotype

Glass plate negatives

Colour prints

Colour slides

Carbon print

Gelatin

Early Paper

Mass produced paper

etc., etc.

Assignments will be typed or word processed, and 4/5 pages in length.

Mandatory Requirements

All course work must be attempted in order to qualify for a passing grade. Students must abide by the mandatory requirements advertised for the conservation laboratory.

Course Policies

1. Presentation

Written assignments must be:

typed or word-processed

double spaced

proofed for spelling and grammatical errors

enclosed with a single cover sheet which includes student name, title of the assignment and date of submission

stapled in the top left hand corner (unbound)

include a bibliography (where appropriate)

use a recognized method of citation (eg. MLA or Chicago)

2. Re-writes

Faculty may request a re-write of a submission if the criteria for assessment have not been met.

Late penalties will apply if the assignment is not re-submitted the following day.

3. Penalties for Late Submissions

Completion of Term Work

All assignments must be completed in order for students to achieve a passing grade.

Late Assignments

Late assignments receive the following penalty:

Marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% per day for three days after which assignments are marked at zero.

Faculty are not obliged to provide feedback on assignments marked at zero.

Oral Presentations

Oral presentations and/or practical test or projects for evaluation must be delivered on the day scheduled. A "no show" will be graded at zero, unless adequate explanation is provided.

4. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and the college has a strict policy on this issue (see Academic Regulations).

It is a student's responsibility to ensure that all written submissions include an appropriate method of in text citation as well as an accompanying bibliography.

Seminar and oral presentations should be supported by a bibliography and sources should be referred to during the presentation.

5. Make-up Test

In valid circumstances (ill-health, personal crisis), a student may be given a make-up test to compensate for one missed in class-time. Students must contact the instructor within seven days of the original test in order to request a make-up.

6. Extensions & GDFS

An extension may be granted to an individual student based on need and circumstance. Medical grounds should be substantiated.

The revised due date will be recorded and signed by both parties.

The entire class may be given an extension, at the discretion of faculty.

Incomplete a Grade Deferred marks at the end of the semester must be negotiated between student and faculty (see Academic Regulations). Note: these are a privilege to be granted under special circumstances, not used in order to compensate for poor planning.

7. Site Work

Students must agree to work within the parameters of the guidelines established for site work. Failure to comply, may result in the termination of project and suspension of the privilege of access.

Readings:

Baldwin, Gordon. Lookinq at Photouraphs A Guide to Technical Terms. California: J. Paul Getty Museum. 1991.

Carr, Dawson, and Mark Leonard. Looking at Paintinqs A Guide to Technical Terms. California: J. Paul Getty Museum. 1992.

C.C.I. NOTES. Ottawa: Communications Canada

Goldman, Paul. Lookinq at Prints Drawings and Watercolours A Guide to Technical Terms. California: J. Paul Getty Museum. 1988.

Holben Ellis, Margaret. Care of Prints, Drawinqs and Watercolours. Tennessee: MSLH. (Newest Edition)

Reilly, James. Care and Identification of 19th Century Photographic Prints. Rochester: Eastman Kodak 1986.

---. Conservation of Photographs. Rochester: Eastman Kodak. 1985.

Prerequisites:

Course Nos. 1380202, 1380207, 1380210, 1380213, 1380203, 1380208, 1380211, 1380214