The Book and Paper Group Wiki is a publication of the Book and Paper Specialty Group of the American Institute for Conservation. The BPG Wiki is a forum for members and conservation practitioners to learn about topics in book and paper conservation and share their expertise and emerging trends in the field with colleagues. It is intended to be a comprehensive record of treatment-related topics, arranged systematically with descriptive details. Like all wikis, the site's contents are collaborative and dynamic works-in-progress. You can:
- Search the entire AIC Wiki by using the "search" box at the top of each page.
- Browse the Book and Paper Group Wiki by using the portals below or clicking the many links.
- Get Involved by contacting the BPG Wiki Coordinators at BookandPaperGroup.Wiki@gmail.com.
The BPG Wiki grew out of two earlier BPG publication projects - the Paper Conservation Catalog (PCC) and the Book Conservation Catalog (BCC). A full history of the PCC, the BCC, and the BPG Wiki can be found on the History of the BPG Wiki page.
Wiki Team[edit | edit source]
- Diane Knauf, Paper Conservation Wiki Coordinator (2019-2023)
- Michelle Smith, Book Conservation Wiki Coordinator (2020-2023)
Photo Gallery[edit | edit source]
Four flap folder. Photo courtesy of Susannah Kendall. January 2018.
Non-adhesive hinging technique: Edge Wraps (detail)
Stain reduction using gellan, during treatment. Photo courtesy of Susie Cobbledick. November 2017.
Modified spokeshave for thinning leather. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Kwan. January 2018.
Making remoistenable repair tissue. Photo courtesy of Jodie Utter. February 2016.
Polarized light microscopy pigment identification. Photo courtesy of Jodie Utter. January 2012.
Conservation lab interior. Photo courtesy of Jodie Utter. January 2006.
Making a thin layer of 3% agarose gel for use in removing water-based adhesive tape.
Iron gall ink under normal illumination.
Iron dispersed in paper seen under UVA illumination. Noticeably more dispersed than the visible iron gall ink.
Deteriorated iron gall ink exhibiting burn through and cracking. Transmitted light.
Videos and Playlists[edit | edit source]
The Book and Paper Conservation Wiki can host videos on YouTube, embed YouTube videos and playlists in its wiki pages, and link to videos across the web. Here are some of the videos that we have gathered to illustrate various tools, techniques, and working habits in book and paper conservation.
- Materials and Tools (BPG Wiki)
- Conservation Lab Tours (BPG Wiki)
- Book and Paper Emergency Response (BPG Wiki)
- Imaging and Digitization (BPG Wiki)
- Exhibition, Supports, Transport (BPG Wiki)
- Enhancing Watermark Images (BPG Wiki)
- Adhesives for Paper (BPG Wiki)
- Paper Conservation Techniques (BPG Wiki)
- Media on Paper (BPG Wiki)
- BPG Wiki (All Videos)
The Book and Paper Group also maintains a playlist of videos, some of which are aimed at conservators and some at the general public.
If you have suggestions for new playlists or videos to add, please contact the Wiki Coordinators at BookandPaperGroup.Wiki@gmail.com.
Contributing to the Wiki[edit | edit source]
The BPG Wiki is overseen by two volunteer Wiki Coordinators, one book and one paper, who report to the BPG Publications Committee chair. They are responsible for overseeing page and section revisions, raising awareness of the Wiki, keeping BPG members informed of its progress, recruiting contributors, organizing editing events, assisting anyone that comes forward with research and expertise they want to share, and integrating the Wiki with other BPG PubComm efforts. Like all BPG volunteer positions, the Wiki Coordinators serve on rotating, renewable three-year terms. The current Wiki Coordinators are Michelle Smith (book) and Diane Knauf (paper).
The Wiki depends on volunteers and contributions are welcome. Working to create or improve a section of the Wiki will enable you to become intimately familiar with the research that has been done on that topic to date. Collaboration with colleagues will help you to expand your network. You might learn some new skills. You can add your name to the list of compilers and add another citation to your resume. If you would like to be involved in the Wiki, contact the BPG Wiki Coordinators at BookandPaperGroup.Wiki@gmail.com. The Contributors Toolbox and Help Wanted pages contain resources and information for contributors.
Disclaimer[edit | edit source]
The Paper Conservation Catalog and the AIC Wiki were developed by, and for, professional conservators. While persons in related fields will benefit from being acquainted with its content, neither is intended to provide step-by-step recipes for the untrained. Also, the PCC was created over the course of several decades, and there are out-of-date sections. When using the wiki, readers are strongly encouraged to consult the growing body of relevant literature.
Copyright 2023. The Book and Paper Group Wiki is a publication of the Book and Paper Group of the American Institute for Conservation. It is published as a convenience for the members of the Book and Paper Group. Publication does not endorse nor recommend any treatments, methods, or techniques described herein. Information on researching with the wiki and citing the BPG Wiki can be found on the Reference and Bibliography Protocols page. The BPG Wiki coordinators can be reached at bookandpapergroup.wiki@gmail.com.
Cite this page:
Book and Paper Group Wiki. 2022. Book and Paper Group Wiki. American Institute for Conservation (AIC). Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Book_and_Paper_Group_Wiki
| Paper Conservation Topics | |
|---|---|
| Condition Issues | |
| 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 |
| Support Materials | |
| 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 |
| Treatment Techniques |
Washing of Books · Alkalinization of Books · Leaf Attachment and Sewing Repair · Board Reattachment · Use of Leather in Book Conservation |
| Covering Materials |
Animal Skin and Leather · Cloth Bookbinding · Paper Bookbinding · Parchment Bookbinding |
| Bookbinding Traditions |
Bookbinding Traditions by Region or Culture · East Asian Book Formats · Ethiopian Bindings · Greek-Style Bindings · Western African Books and Manuscripts |
| Specialized Formats | |
| Circulating Collections | |
