At the University of Illinois we in Preservation and Conservation are working with our Rare Book and Special Collections Library to address the conservation and rehousing needs of the uncatalogued backlog in their collections. We have started a condition survey (based only on a random sample of the collection, unfortunately, due to the number of volumes) and have compiled enough records to start forming some conclusions about the needs of these unique or rare materials. My question is, have any other institutions done similar condition assessments of this sort of collection, and if so, would you be willing to share your results? I want to be sure we are approaching this with all necessary questions in mind, etc. Also, if anyone knows of any publications that talk about surveying uncatalogued items, and any special challenges or needs they may present, i would greatly appreciate hearing about them.
many thanks.
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Jennifer E. Hain
Head, Conservation Unit
Main Library, Room 44
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1408 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 244 - 5689
jhain@xxxxxxxx
Sherry Byrne
Preservation Librarian
1100 E. 57th Street, Room 150
Chicago, IL 60637
sbyr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(773) 702-9313 voice
(773) 702-6623 fax