In addition to being a phenomenal lending library, you may also be aware that The New York Society Library is home to a variety of materials that cannot be borrowed and must be used under supervision on the premises.  These materials include both our wonderful rare book collections, as well our Closed Stacks holdings (which I lovingly refer to as—Rare Books “Lite”). 

My job as the library’s sole book conservator is to care for and maintain the varied collections of the library. This includes anything from James Patterson’s latest crime novel (that you accidentally dropped in your bath tub) to treating a 17th Century copy of Chapman’s translation of Homer in preparation for our current exhibit.

So how does a book that needs TLC get into my hands you may ask? Well, there are several ways:

We have a great group of ever vigilant book lovers both in staff and as part of membership. 

When books are returned in a state of disrepair, staff will set the book aside for the conservation department and either bring it up to me personally (happens if there is a rush on the book or if many members are waiting for the book) or put it into my basket downstairs in circulation.  I check my basket in the mornings, pluck a few victims and take them upstairs.

New York Society Library pages, who do a wonderful job prepping our library’s books, also periodically walk the stacks and search for these poor hapless victims of age and yes, sometimes, maybe, mishandling (a.k.a., abuse).

Then there is our trusted and loyal membership who either finds damaged books in the stacks and brings them to our attention—or upon returning a book that has perhaps broken apart while being borrowed, informs us of the damage. Sometimes a member’s enthusiasm, in order to help the healing process along, will get the better of them and they will tape torn pages together using cellophane tape.  Although we appreciate the effort, please No Tape for Tears (that’s a t-shirt idea right there!). The tape will have to be removed before any real healing can begin anyway. This removal process can be quite time consuming as well. 

Once a book has entered the conservation “pipeline” it may take a while for it to come back out again (see “basket” picture).  If you are waiting for a book that has been sent to the conservation studio and you just can’t wait any longer feel free to send me an email with the subject heading “Book in conservation studio” tell me what book it is and will do my best to make it the next book I treat!—Just a little secret between you and me.

See you next time.