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Work Experience in Preservation Services at the Library

Susanne Wullen
Ching and Jess with their secret backing removal tools

Jess Wignell
Ching wetting out the backing board with hot water in preparation for a backing removal from an artwork

Jess Wignell
Ching cleaning a coloured lithograph on the vacuum suction table

Ching Hui Huang
Jess making a storage folder for fragile material

Ching Hui Huang
Jess lining a damaged pamphlet

Preservation Services has a long history of taking work experience placements to work and learn alongside staff in the area. Placements have mainly been students completing training in the fields of cultural preservation and librarianship in Australia, but the Library has also taken placements from cultural institutions in Asia and the Pacific, to share information and practical techniques in the care of cultural collections. Participating in these placements has been a challenging and rewarding learning experience for all involved, as we have had to adjust the approach to meet the various placement needs.

This year we have two placements, based in the Paper Conservation Laboratory but also working across relevant areas in the Library.

In 2006 Preservation Services was approached by Ching Hui Huang, a graduate student in paper conservation from the Tainan National University of the Arts in Taiwan. Most of these students do their internship at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Centre at the University of Texas, or in another well-known program at the Library of Congress. However, Ching preferred to do her six-month internship at the National Library in the Paper Conservation Laboratory. We considered the feasibility of the request, agreed, and set about preparing a internship program that would fit in with our current preservation work programs. In March I met Ching, a pleasant young woman, at the airport, and we set about making her placement as interesting an experience as possible.

At the same time we had employed Jess Wignell, an assistant conservator from the National Archives, on a short-term contract from February. Having Jess and Ching working together, learning and supporting each other, has worked very well in that they both have a similar level of experience in practical conservation practice. Other areas of the Library have been supportive, with tours of collection areas allowing Jess and Ching to examine housing, storage and use of the collection. Ching also spent a week in the Digitisation area and participated in a disaster recovery workshop, a regular part of staff training in preventive preservation at the Library. The workshop was quite an experience, working with other Library staff in formulating and carrying out a disaster response action plan for a variety of water-damaged materials. Generously supported visits to other cultural institutions in Canberra, meeting fellow conservators, has also been a valuable part of Ching’s program.

Ching has made many new friends and been involved in a variety of local social activities, including an Aussie barbeque held by the Australian National University’s Asian Student Association, the Sutton Pony Club gymkhana, a recent major Australian print exhibition at the National Gallery, and the Kingston Old Bus Depot Markets.

I have asked Jess and Ching to share some of their experiences and highlights during their time at the Library with you:

‘As well as developing a friendship, we have bonded by learning and developing our skills together. We have similar interests and aspirations for the future, and enjoyed sharing the working and learning experiences. In working together we analyse items, discuss methods for treatment, gather information from our different experiences and share each other’s knowledge. New techniques learned include the lining of heavily broken and torn papers with Japanese tissue for extra stability, backing removal, adhesive and tape removal, paper repair, and the use of poultices for stain reduction. During one weekend in June, we spent the afternoon in Jess’s garage shaping some sheet Teflon with an electric sander and various grades of sandpaper to produce the perfect backing removal tool—a lot of fun, and one of the secrets of the conservation profession!

‘It was interesting to discover the variety of techniques, treatment methods and approaches used by different conservators and also different institutions. The Library’s conservators have developed their own approaches and treatment programs to suit the Library’s collection needs. We have learned that if the principle for a treatment is understood, there is no single right or wrong approach—various techniques are available, and choosing the most appropriate technique comes with experience. This lesson has increased our confidence in developing and applying our own conservation treatment approach, a confidence which we can take back to the Archives and to the University respectively.

‘Working at the Library with its broad collections, including books, manuscripts, maps, prints, watercolours, drawings and photographs, has been a fantastic opportunity. Our most immediate mentors—Susanne Wullen, Lydia Preiss, Chesley Engram and, on Wednesdays, Kerry McInnis—have been wonderfully helpful, always open for discussion, advice or an extra pair of hands when needed. Kerry shares her conservation expertise with laboratory staff on Wednesdays when everyone works on complex conservation treatments, and we have both been able to absorb much from this opportunity.

‘The Library has provided a much appreciated, free and trusting learning and working environment for both of us.Our placements here have been a rewarding and fun time both professionally and socially. We now feel confident to hold future workshops for colleagues, to pass on skills we have learnt and developed during our time with the Library.’

The information and knowledge-sharing opportunities gained from work placements is of benefit to all involved, promoting greater collaboration within the preservation profession both nationally and internationally. A good example was that Jess was able to share her experience of environmental monitoring procedures at the Archives with the Library, inspiring a revision of our procedures that has simplified reporting methods and efficiencies. Over the years work placements in Preservation Services, although demanding in time, have been a good experience and beneficial for all involved.

Lydia Preiss, Jess Wignell and Ching Hui Huang
Preservation Services