Preservation

The preservation of our collections is a core responsability of the Library. We ensure their long-term care through controlled storage conditions and careful handling during use, exhibitions, and digitisation.

Unsere Aufgaben

Mission

The bookbinding workshop repairs and renews damaged books and journals from the Central Library, which houses most of the library’s modern print collections.

The conservation workshop is dedicated to preserving rare books, manuscripts from various cultural traditions, personal papers, and archival materials. These valuable collections are held in the Historic Building. When necessary, the workshop restores damaged bindings, stabilises fragile paper, and conserves sensitive materials for future generations.

Preservation also includes preventive maintenance such as protective enclosures, and continuous environmental monitoring in order to prevent damage. In emergencies – for example, in the event of water damage – emergency kits and the Library's membership in the Notfallverbund Südniedersachsen provide crucial support in protecting our holdings.

Getting started

Kobold, Maria und Moczarski, Jana: Bestandserhaltung. Ein Ratgeber für Verwaltungen, Archive und Bibliotheken, 3rd rev. ed., Darmstadt 2020, 10.25534/tuprints-00011407.

Services

We especially support the Zentrale Kustodie, the university's collections, and institute libraries through consultation. In close cooperation with the ARCANAlab, we participate in projects and provide guidance on questions related to the material aspects of collection items. or more information on training and consulting for examining written materials, please visit the ARCANAlab website.

Please note that our workshops do not accept commissions from private persons or companies. If you are looking for qualified conservators, we recommend that you search the "Berufsregister Restaurator:innen" (Professional Register of Conservators) on the website of the Verband der Restauratoren.

For information on past restoration treatments of our holdings, please use the contact form. Measures from 1971 onwards are documented and can be provided upon request.