Digitization & Preservation

This unit is responsible for the care and repair of older library materials housed in departmental libraries at the University Park campus location.  Services provided include in-house repair, single-item deacidification, encapsulation, shrink-wrapping, pamphlet binding and rehousing, coordination of the replacement page process, consultation on collection conservation issues, assist with contracting vended services and monitor outsourced projects, offer training to other library units, and disaster recovery, response, and rehabilitation of damaged materials.  The in-house repair treatments performed include reinforcing hinges and gluing book flaps, repairing paper tears, cutting pages, inserting erratas, mounting paper pockets, constructing binders and boxes, and applying mylar covers.

Penn State

• Library policies regarding theft and mutilation of books
• Equipment used in Collections Care

Other Resources

• Three Basic Book Repair Procedures
• Dartmouth College Library, Book Repair Manual
• The Book Arts Web: Basic Book Repair Procedures
• George Eastman House, International Museum of Film and Photography Education and Research: Preserving Family Albums -
• Library of Congress Preservation Directorate Caring for Your Collections
• Rare Books and Manuscripts Section: Your Old Books

In January 1999 the University Libraries launched its mass deacidification service. Based on years of testing and experimenting with various deacidification processes, Preservation Technologies, L.P's Bookkeeper process was chosen as our preferred method for treating acidic materials.

Mass deacidification is a process whereby library materials are treated to neutralized harmful acids in the paper and safeguard the paper from further acidic deterioration. The treatment extends the life remaining in the paper, but does not reverse any deterioration that may have taken place already. Depending on the type of paper, the useful life of the book can be extended three to five times longer than if left untreated.

For complete details on our program and operational procedures, see “Combating whole-book deterioration:  the rebinding & mass deacidification program at the Penn State University Libraries", Library Resources & Technical Services, volume 43, number 3 (July 1999), pages 170-177. Information about the Bookkeeper system is available from the Preservation Technologies' web site, http://www.ptlp.com.

On June 25, 1993, a broken water main behind the Library sent thousands of gallons of water into the 1st and 2nd levels of the Stacks, damaging over 30,000 volumes. Since our successful response and recovery, the Preservation department continues to be on alert should another collection emergency (no matter how small) occur.

See the Disaster Response and Recovery Planning page to help you should you need to respond to any emergency.

• Disaster Plan Manual Template (pdf)
• Journal of events of the Pattee Library Water Emergency, June 25, 1993

This unit oversees and coordinates digital imaging for preservation purposes for the University Libraries including image conversion of paper-based and photographic materials, file maintenance, and storage. Much of the unit’s work consists of creating paper reproductions of brittle books, out-of-print titles, and whole periodical issues. This unit also provides consultation to library selectors and staff on technical matters regarding digitization projects including preparation, scanning, web site design, and file and server maintenance. Staff also train library personnel in image capture following best practices for digital projects and serve as liaison to the personnel in Library Computing Services and I-Tech to determine and secure network needs for digital projects.