Book and Paper Group Wiki > BPG Contributors Toolbox
Welcome to the BPG Wiki Contributors’ Toolbox. This page provides information and resources for those interested in contributing to the BPG Wiki. If you have any questions, please email the BPG Wiki Coordinators at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com.
Compiler: Sandrine Blais
Contributors: please add your name here
Copyright 2025. The AIC Wiki is a publication of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). It is published as a convenience for the members of AIC. Publication does not endorse nor recommend any treatments, methods, or techniques described herein. Information on researching with and citing the wiki can be found on the Reference and Bibliography Protocols page.
Cite this page:
American Institute for Conservation (AIC). "Help:BPG Contributors' Toolbox." AIC Wiki. December 15, 2025. https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Help:BPG_Contributors%27_Toolbox.
Ways to get involved[edit source]
You don't have to edit the Wiki to contribute. There's a learning curve in using the Wiki, and not everyone has the time to learn the WikiMedia software platform. We can appreciate that coding text is not for all of our members, so we have developed other ways you can contribute.
- The BPG Wiki Coordinators Sandrine Blais and Mitchel Gundrum are ready to work with you to add, edit, or remove something if you'd prefer to work off-line. Email them at BookandPaperGroup.Wiki@gmail.com.
- If you're an experienced conservator without Wiki expertise but interested in sharing some of your tips while mentoring others, would you consider getting paired with an emerging conservator? If so, not only could they take care of the coding changes but the short-term experience would broaden their professional network as they learned something new. If you would be interested in being contacted by an emerging professional with regard to the Wiki, please send a note to BookandPaperGroup.Wiki@gmail.com.
Contributing without a Wiki editor account[edit source]
You do not need a Wiki Editor account in order to become involved with the Wiki. For any level of contribution, contact the BPG Wiki Coordinators at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com for suggestions or questions. We will be able to make the edits on the Wiki ourselves.
Here are some suggestions of contributions:
- Ask the BPG Wiki Coordinators about ongoing editing projects in need of assistance.
- Contribute photographs! Photographs are particularly appreciated additions to existing pages.
- Bibliographies: contribute whole bibliographies, publication links or annotations.
- If you find a broken link or outdated information, please contact us and we will address it!
Contributions with a Wiki editor account[edit source]
How to become a Wiki editor[edit source]
To become a wiki editor, you must watch the training videos on the AIC Learning Platform. For any specific questions about the training videos, contact either the AIC wiki e-editor Rachael Arenstein or Bonnie Naugle.
A great tip to become familiar with the MediaWiki software is to create your User page. Take a look at the pages of Rachael Arenstein (Wiki e-editor), Denise Stockman, Cher Schneider, Katherine Kelly, Suzy Morgan, Sarah Reidell, and others.
It is also recommended to sign up to the AIC Wiki community forum to share with other wiki editors to get feedback or start a conversation.
Suggested contributions[edit source]
- Use the discussion tab: If you find a topic that is lacking or out-of-date, add a note on the "Discussion" tab of the page. Please add suggestions for improvement, an interesting citation we missed, or a comment about the techniques. Send a link to the compilers for that topic, the BPG Wiki Coordinators, and the AIC-Wiki community forum to get feedback or start a conversation. Please sign your name with the signature button
in the toolbar above the editing box. - Add photographs: Photographs are particularly appreciated additions to existing pages.
- Add Terminology: The BPG Wiki does not need to become a glossary, but should link to existing glossaries. You can help define terms in the BPG Wiki by adding links to the online glossaries like the BPG Glossary of Terms, AIC Lexicon, CAMEO, and for books, the Ligatus Language of Bookbindings and Bookbinding and the Conservation of Books: A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology."
- When sources disagree on terminology, it is very helpful to describe the debate, as has been done in the Endbands Talk page. Other pages that would benefit from some terminology work include Endpapers, Sewing and Leaf Attachment, Book Boards, Board Attachment, and Media Problems.
- Translations: If you are fluent in another language and are interested in translating a page of the wiki, this is a great service to the international community. Translations will be vetted by a small group and then posted as a pdf to that wiki page.
- Contribute tips: The following pages welcome contributions from all BPG members - no special qualifications or content review is necessary.
- Consider becoming a contributor or compiler for a specific page.
Definition of terms[edit source]
Contributor[edit source]
People contributing to specific pages in any notable manner should be listed as contributors. List yourselves!
Compiler[edit source]
Becoming a compiler for a new or existing chapter is the biggest and best way to build the Conservation Catalogs. Most PCC chapters are already created but in need of revision. Most BCC chapters are incomplete. In both cases, there is ample opportunity to contribute. If you think you might be interested, consider:
- Would you have the time and availability to work with one to three colleagues for a year or so on this? It is suggested that you form the group yourself, however, if you would like help recruiting, the BPG Wiki Coordinators can help too. Perhaps an emerging conservation professional would be a useful member of your group?
- If you are able to attend the AIC Annual Meeting, it is great time to talk with colleagues and potential collaborators about conservation topics that you are interested in researching and publishing online.
- The BPG Wiki Coordinators would like to present updates to membership periodically, and especially at the AIC Annual Meeting, so having set time limits on a project is suggested.
Coordinator[edit source]
A coordinator is a more formal position requiring a 3-year commitment. There is one Book (Mitchel Gundrum) and one Paper (Sandrine Blais) coordinator, who report to the BPG PubComm chair. Coordinators oversee chapter and section revisions, raise awareness of the Wiki, keep BPG members informed of its progress, recruit contributors, organize editing events, assist anyone that comes forward with research and expertise they want to share, and integrate the Wiki with other BPG PubComm efforts. Past BPG Wiki Coordinators are listed on the History of the BPG Wiki page.
Help Wanted[edit source]
Historical Techniques and Materials[edit source]
The time has come to address some of the historical treatment procedures on the Wiki. You may have read about some techniques on there and thought "Does anyone still do that?"
We would like to identify procedures that are no longer in use, and move them to a Historical Techniques and Materials section that we have created at the bottom of each of the Wiki pages that began as a Paper Conservation Catalog chapter. This section can also be used for procedures that predate the Catalog, but would be useful for people to know about.
The Alkalization and Neutralization page (written in 1985) has several outdated techniques listed. As an example, we have moved Diethyl Zinc to the new section on Historical Techniques and Materials with a brief comment about its history of use. Can you help us identify others?
Here is how you can help:
- Identify a paper conservation procedure that is no longer in use (there appear to be quite a few in the Wiki).
- Write a few sentences about how it was performed (existing text can be used) and why it is no longer used. It would be especially interesting to describe evidence of the treatment having been done that can be discovered during the examination of an object. Cite any relevant articles you are aware of, especially those that state the reasons why the treatment is no longer used.
- Send it to us at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com so that we can add it to the Historical Treatments section, and you will be credited as a contributor.
Book conservation topics[edit source]
There are several "partially-started pages" that are not claimed by any wiki editors that could use some focused attention.
- Book Boards: This page was intended as a description of the material used for stiffening book covers. It has never been fully developed, and would benefit from a focused literature review and the addition of photographs.
- BPG Parchment Bookbinding: This page originated as chapter of the Book Conservation Catalog, before it became part of the wiki. It was never fully developed. It should be entirely re-written (and renamed) to focus on Parchment Book Bindings and their treatment. Parchment as a material and the treatment of parchment documents is already covered in the well-developed Paper Conservation Wiki chapter on Parchment.
- Circulating Collections Repair: This page would benefit from the addition of citations and additional methods / techniques.
- The Book Decoration page is very disorganized. There are many terms with no definitions or images. Is there a better way to present this topic, perhaps with undefined terms off to the side as a "wish list"?
Paper conservation topics[edit source]
Some pages only have a bibliography, but no written text:
Some general topics are missing or under-represented from the Wiki:
- Conductivity-nodified washing
- Surface cleaning using cosmetic sponges
- Lamination, which could live under Encapsulation/ Historical techniques and Materials
Future pages wishlist[edit source]
These are some ideas of pages that could be added on the BPG Wiki.
History[edit source]
- History of Book and Paper Conservation
- History of the AIC BPG specialty group
Specialized formats[edit source]
- Folding Screens
- Varnished Wall Maps
- Fans
- Japanese woodblock prints
Images wishlist[edit source]
(Almost) all BPG Wiki pages would greatly benefit from additional images, but the following pages have zero or very few images.
Paper topics[edit source]
- Washing
- Immersion wash
- Capillary wash
- Lining
- Various brushes
- Asian papers
- Example photos of Japanese fibers
- Foxing
- Mending techniques
- Common/famous examples to Watermarks
Book topics[edit source]
- Add identification images to Book Boards
Community guidelines[edit source]
Edit boldly[edit source]
The BPG Wiki encourages anyone to edit in the following ways:
- It is always okay to fix typos or add citations.
- It is always okay to add to Talk/Discussion pages.
- It is usually okay to add information to a page. If there is a Wiki Compiler listed at the top of a page, send an email to them first. If you have trouble getting in touch or would like to discuss your edits, email us at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com.
If you would like to make substantial edits to a page or delete content, please get in touch with us first at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com. We will make sure that you are connected with anyone else currently working on the page and help make certain that your changes are appropriate.
The BPG Wiki coordinators monitor all changes to our pages, so don't be surprised if we get in touch about your edits.
Some of the other Specialty Groups have a more formal process of "draft, review, then publish". Before editing pages outside of the BPG Wiki, check with them.
Always provide an edit summary[edit source]
Any time you edit a page, please summarize your contributions in the Summary text entry field located under the main edit box. This will help other contributors understand your edits and decide whether they would like to review them. It also makes it much easier to determine who added what. Be concise, but be specific. "Added content" is not a very helpful summary, but "added embedded video about handling scrolls" is. Summaries are less important for minor changes, but a brief note like "fixed spelling" is helpful even then. Edit summaries for any Wiki page can be reviewed by clicking the "History" link at the top of the page. Read more about edit summaries on this Wikipedia help page.
Give credit for contributions[edit source]
If you improve the content of a BPG Wiki page, please add your name to the top of the page under "Wiki Contributors". The History tab on each page will record what changes were made. If you add material on behalf of someone else, please record this in the Summary field as you save the edit - e.g., "Added recipe from Jane Q. Conservator" - and add their name to the top of the page under "Wiki Contributors". This should only be done with the contributor's permission.
Cite your work[edit source]
When your contribution relies on someone else's published work, you must cite their work appropriately. We also encourage contributors to include inline citations wherever possible (within reason). This practice improves the credibility of the Wiki and makes it even more useful to researchers. More guidance is available in the BPG Reference and Bibliography Protocols. When referring to pages in the AIC Wiki, use an embedded link instead of a formal citation.
Written by and for conservation professionals[edit source]
While references to published sources are best, the BPG Wiki can include statements based on the author's personal experience and training. This is different from Wikipedia, which does not allow original research. Readers are expected to use their professional judgement when evaluating all information on the Wiki. That being said, accuracy is our standard. If you see something that looks wrong, please contact us at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com.
Use of wikitext[edit source]
When editing the BPG Wiki, the use of wikitext is preferable. HTML should be used sparingly to allow for ease of use by all editors and consistency in the code throughout the BPG Wiki.
Be courteous[edit source]
Contributors have different views, perspectives, and backgrounds which sometimes vary widely. Treat others with respect.
Images in the BPG Wiki[edit source]
Uploading images[edit source]
Images (.jpg, .gif, .pdf, and others) can be uploaded by clicking on the "Upload file" link at the bottom of the left-hand navigation of each page. Images uploaded to the AIC Wiki should be jpeg (or jpg) format and between 1 and 5 MB in size. Smartphone and point-and-shoot images are fine.
Copyright[edit source]
It is the responsibility of submitters to seek and obtain permission to publish from other rights holders (owners of objects described or illustrated, photographers, illustrators, or copyright holders other than the author) and to provide appropriate credits. Wikipedia’s Image Use Policy provides useful guidance.
Contributors to the Wiki retain ownership of their submitted material but grant AIC the right to republish it. So, images you upload may be reused throughout the Wiki.
Credits and captions[edit source]
All images should have a caption. However, the BPG Wiki does not require photographers, people, or objects to be identified.
On the Wiki pages, short captions are preferred. We encourage you to include full credit and citations for an image in the description of the file when you upload it, but only put a short caption on a wiki page that contains that image. For example, when you click on the image of the lightbox below, you can see details of when and by whom the photo was taken.
These are all examples of acceptable images and captions for the BPG Wiki.
Water damaged photographs removed from paper clip (Student Folders with Photographs, Baghdadi Jewish Schools, 1961–71, Iraqi Jewish Archive #3755).
Acid burn on adjacent materials. Lewis T. Gregory Scrapbook, 1909-1913 Scrapbook, University Archives, University of Illinois. Image: Jennifer H. Teper.
A thin light box for illuminating a bound page from behind.
Formatting basics[edit source]
How to format text[edit source]
Please do not use both bold and italics!
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bold text | 
|
'''Bold text''' |
Bold text |
| Italic text | 
|
''Italic text'' |
Italic text |
| Underlined text | 
|
<u>Underlined text</u> |
Underlined text |
How to format lists[edit source]
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet list | 
|
*Bullet list **Sub item *** Sub-sub item |
|
| Indentation | You can increase and decrease indentations under the same header, but it is quite buggy and it is better to use the code instead. Adding indents by themselves (for annotations) cannot be easily done with the visual editor. |
:Single indent ::Double indent :::Triple indent |
|
| Numbered list | 
|
# First item # Second item ## Sub item ### Sub, sub item item |
|
How to format sections[edit source]
Sub-heading 2 is hard to distinguish in text and may be underlined for clarity's sake.
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heading | 
|
==Heading== |
|
| Sub-heading 1 | 
|
===Sub-heading 1=== |
|
| Sub-heading 2 |  and
|
====<u>Sub-heading 2/u>==== |
|
How to format links[edit source]
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| External links | Click "🔗", then:
|
[https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help:Editing_pages Mediawiki's help page on editing] |
Mediawiki's help page on editing |
| Internal (AIC Wiki) links | Click "🔗", then: Then type out the displayed text
|
[[History of the BPG Wiki|History of the BPG Wiki link]] |
History of the BPG Wiki link |
| Linking to a subheading | Click "🔗", then:
|
[[History of the BPG Wiki#BPG Wiki|History of the BPG Wiki § BPG Wiki]] |
History of the BPG Wiki § BPG Wiki |
How to format references[edit source]
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add to reference list | Click "Cite", then "Basic"
|
This paragraph has a reference<ref> Author Lastname, Author First name. Publication Date. "[https://community.culturalheritage.org/groups/book-paper-group/bpg-annual Book and Paper Group Annual]." ''The Book and Paper Group Annual''. Volume: pages.</ref>. |
This paragraph has a reference[1]. |
| How to repeat the same reference | Click "Cite", then "Re-use"
|
Let's say we want to refer to three different sources in this paragraph. This section will be have a citation from author A<ref name=":0">Reference for author A.</ref>, then from author B<ref>Reference for author B.</ref>, then A again<ref name=":0" />, then author C<ref name=":1">Reference for author C.</ref>, then C again<ref name=":1" />. |
Let's say we want to refer to three different sources in this paragraph. This section will be have a citation from author A[2], then from author B[3], then A again[2], then author C[4], then C again[4]. |
| Reference list | Reference list will automatically be added at the bottom of the page when references are created. |
<references> </references> |
See below |
Other tips[edit source]
| Description | Visual editor | Source editing | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line break | "enter" on keyboard |
Line <br> break or "enter" on keyboard |
Line break |
| Nowiki | N/A |
<nowiki>No wiki text</nowiki> |
No wiki text |
Useful "How-to" Pages[edit source]
- BPG Template for New Page
- BPG Reference and Bibliography Protocols
- AIC Wiki User Guidelines
- AIC Wiki Editors' Resources
- MediaWiki's editing and formatting help pages
| Paper Conservation Topics | |
|---|---|
| Supports |
Support Problems · Western Papers · Asian Papers · Non Paper Supports · Papyrus · Parchment · Composite Structures · Unusual Paper Supports · Foxing |
| Media | |
| Treatment Techniques |
Surface Cleaning · Hinge, Tape, and Adhesive Removal · Washing · Sizing and Resizing · Bleaching · Enzymes · Chelating Agents · Alkalization and Neutralization · Humidification · Consolidation, Fixing, and Facing · Backing Removal · Mending · Filling of Losses · Drying and Flattening · Lining · Inpainting |
| Specialized Formats | |
| Book Conservation Topics | |
|---|---|
| Structural Elements of the Book |
Endpapers · Endbands · Sewing and Leaf Attachment · Book Boards · Board Attachment · Book Decoration · Fastenings and Furniture |
| Covering Materials |
Animal Skin and Leather · Cloth Bookbinding · Paper Bookbinding · Parchment Bookbinding |
| Treatment Techniques |
Washing of Books · Alkalinization of Books · Leaf Attachment and Sewing Repair · Board Reattachment · Use of Leather in Book Conservation |
| Bookbinding Traditions |
Bookbinding Traditions by Region or Culture · East Asian Book Formats · Ethiopian Bindings · Greek-Style Bindings · Western African Books and Manuscripts |
| Specialized Formats |
Scrapbooks · Atlases, Foldouts, and Guarded Structures · Artists' Books · Caoutchouc Bindings |
| Circulating Collections | |
