Preservation

The Preservation Department supports the mission of the University Library System by preserving library and archival materials and keeping them accessible to the public. Preservation offers a wide range of programming which includes the in-house book repair program, disaster planning and preparedness, staff education, mounting exhibitions, and educational outreach efforts. Our services focus on maintaining the library and archival collections of the main Oakland campus, with the exception of the Law Library and the Health Sciences Library. We are located off-campus at the Library Resource Facility.

Through various on-going programs, the Preservation Department continues to be a resource for the Pittsburgh community and investigates recognized best practices and new endeavors that are being researched and embraced by the preservation and technological fields. Although our services are not available to the public, we believe strongly in educational outreach and you will find a wealth of information on our website, freely accessible.Please contact us with any questions you may have!

Departmental History

In 1977, Pat Gladis (a staff member in the Special Collections Department) received funding from the ULS to train in book repair with Jean Gunner, a local bookbinder. Gladis then participated in a Yale internship program and in 1981 became the first Preservation Librarian in the ULS.  Her accomplishments included setting up a “Brittle Books Program” and revamping in-house repair procedures.Prior to Gladis' efforts, attempts to develop a preservation program for the ULS were sporadic and never entirely successful because this activity was not integrated into the library’s overall goals.

In 1986, the ULS embarked on its first Association of Research Libraries – Office of Management Studies (ARL-OMS) Self Study. The overall project goal was for the Study team to produce a plan for preservation activities at the University of Pittsburgh with a set of realistic objectives.  The final report of the Preservation Planning Project Team came out in November of 1987 and many of their recommendations have been implemented. That same year, Sally Buchanan was appointed Preservation Librarian.  During her tenure, lab space in Hillman Library was obtained and more staff was added.

Melissa McAfee became head of the Preservation Department in November 1993 and her achievements included the further development of the In-House Book Repair Program and more fully integrating the Preservation Program in the ULS to include the departmental libraries on the main campus.

The current head of the Preservation Department, Jeanann Haas, assumed this role in 2000. She has successfully transitioned the department to our newer, larger facilities off-campus and continues to lead us ahead into the changing field of preservation.

Meet our current faculty and staff members and feel free to contact us with any questions. Please visit our links below for further information about our department and the preservation field overall.

                                 

Students proudly showing off their book repair work and enclosures.

Links

In-House Book Repair and Enclosures: Find information about the specific repairs we execute and the custom enclosures we construct. Our basic instructions will be included as pdfs.

Special Projects: This section will show you a few examples of special projects we've undertaken, typically related to digital preparation.

CONSOL Energy Mine Map Preservation Project: This link directs you to the website for our CONSOL Energy Mine Map Preservation Project, begun in 2007. Grant funding has allowed for an on-staff conservator to head this project.

Disaster Response: Once complete, this page will provide information about the disaster response education that our department provides and related activities in which we participate. Helpful links to outside information and organizations will also be provided.

Caring for Your Collections: Not sure where to start? These helpful articles from the Library of Congress can set you on the right path.

Preservation Blogosphere: On the right-hand side of the Preservation and Conservation Administration News website is an excellent list of Preservation-related websites and blogs.