Ottawa - Canadian Association for Conservation

The Multiple Facets of an Archival Conservation Project
Lynn Curry, Head Conservator of Books
Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa ON
Managing multi-item, multi-year, multi-discipline, multi-conservator conservation projects can be
both challenging and rewarding. At Library and Archives Canada, the recent completion of such a
project, Conservation of Photographic Albums: Geological Survey of Canada Collection, has resulted in
the development of new practices, including: the standardization of minor treatments for photograph
albums, the standardized construction of custom non-adhesive spacers, and an ingenious method of
incorporating the original covers and album while preventing re-contamination due to red-rot.
The conservation/preservation project began in earnest in 2004. The seventy albums were grouped
according to binding style and divided into lots. Each album was to undergo examination,
documentation, minor conservation treatment and re-housing. The project was carried out over the
next five years under the coordination of the Head Conservator of Books, in consultation with the
Head Conservator of Photographic Materials.
This project also provided opportunities for the professional development of staff, as well as valuable
hands-on experience for interns in multi-media archival conservation, thus supporting national
and international conservation education programs. Four assistant conservators and one contractor
from Library and Archives Canada worked on the project, often in the capacity of professional
development, learning new procedures or working on new media. Eleven conservation interns,
both from Canada and abroad, took part in the project, also developing new skills and having the
opportunity to work on archival material under the guidance of a senior conservator. It was from this
group of conservators and interns that the ideas for improvement of practices emerged that led to the
successful completion of this project.