Volume 10, Number 6
Dec 1986

Cornell Offers Training, Consultancy, Information

The Cornell University Libraries, which recently established a conservation program, have assumed a leadership position in the New York Upstate region with funding by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to undertake a three-year program of consultancy, technical training, and information-sharing, to serve all types of libraries and staff.

1. Workshops. The University offers three workshops per year which concentrate on sound and realistic preservation systems, and which stress collection maintenance procedures. Conducted by staff of the Conservation Department, the workshops address common problems such as the design, negotiation and management of commercial binding contracts; furbishing and collection survey strategies; construction of a routine decision-making apparatus; sensible repair techniques, etc. Workshop principles are reinforced by printed guides and demonstrations, and performed at the University and at other suitable locations by arrangement without fee.
2. Consultancy. Qualified conservation staff are available to provide on-site guidance to libraries and archives, and to assist in the assessment of conservation needs, identification of priorities, and the development of local programs. No consultation fee is required but travel costs should be borne by recipient institutions.
3. Information Services. As the body of conservation/ preservation literature grows, and standards and specifications develop, it has become increasingly more difficult for librarians to keep abreast of changing information and technologies. The Conservation Department has established an information clearing house, based upon a collection of books, technical papers, serial publications, etc., that is designed to provide current conservation/preservation information on request. [This will probably start in the spring.]
4. Technical Training. The developing programs at Cornell provide a valuable and stimulating environment for technical training through internship. Two internships of three months' duration per year are available to staff from institutions committed to the establishment of conservation programs. Interns may receive training in each of the conservation units under the supervision of conservation staff, with training designed to accommodate individual needs and prior skills. No fee or tuition is required, and a stipend is available. [This too will probably start in the spring.]

Enquiries about the program should be directed to Conservation Librarian, 214 John M. Olin Library, Cornell University Libraries, Ithaca, NY 14853.