White Sparrow Bindery

Check out this awesome time lapse video of our Special Collections Conservator making a custom box for one of our a rare books.

I had so much fun making this video!

Is it Mold?

Mold in library collections can present a serious hazard to both collections and human health. Active mold is usually obvious (wet and fuzzy), but inactive mold is easily confused with dirt, foxing, or other staining.

In order to help library and archives staff identify signs of mold (and when to contact Conservation), I created this handy infographic. Please feel free to share!

To all the researchers and catalogers out there…keep your books safe and your conservator happy by using a cradle and snake weights when necessary. #handling #rarebooks #specialcollections #dontmakemoreworkforme (at MSU Libraries)

Good handling practices are the foundation on which good preservation policies are built!

Check out this pro tip on how to avoid damaging your books when removing them from the shelf. Proper handling is key to keeping your collection in good condition! Please feel free to share so long as you link back/cite your source. #preservation #conservation #msulibraries #specialcollections #bookstagram #shelfie #preventativeconservation #shelving (at MSU Libraries)

Yes, there IS a right way to remove a book from the shelf!

A Memento Mori for @fishingboatproceeds and @edwardspoonhands.

I like the bits of manuscript waste re-used to line the spine. Since the binding isn’t fully attached we can get a peek at those scraps.

Someone took extensive notes throughout, including a long statement of some kind on the first three pages.

De le lettere di M. Claudio Tolomei libri sette. : Con nuova aggiunta ristampate & con somma diligenza ricorrette.Tolomei, Claudio 1492-1555. Vinegia : Appresso D. & A. Giglio e frat 1566 

xPQ4664 T53 Z5 1566

When I removed some “repair” tape from the spine of this book, I found the leather onlays still stuck to the yucky old tape.  I was able to carefully remove and re-adhere them.

- Bexx

Finding the onlays intact under the tape was a nice surprise!

Some pretty publisher’s cloth bindings seen in the Special Collections stacks.

Here's a shelfie that I took at work. So many pretty books!

A well meaning person used wax paper to separate some vinyl banners that were hand painted with acrylics. The wax paper stuck is stuck to the paint in many places and must be carefully pulled away to avoid damaging the paint. — view on Instagram http://ift.tt/2pxhZyD

It's a really good thing that I like doing tedious tasks like this one. Having a good audiobook is important to the process!

At today’s staff awards ceremony, Bexx Caswell, Linsey Allen, and Sue Depoorter were recognized for all of the work they have done to make boxes for Special Collections Materials. Almost 3,000 boxes were made in house this year, an increase of 400% over last year! Sue Depoorter also received a much deserved award recognizing her outstanding service in the lab. Thank you to our colleagues at the MSU Libraries for acknowledging us - we’re still blushing! — view on Instagram http://ift.tt/2r9aG16

The last few months of non-stop box making have nearly killed me, so I am really grateful to my coworkers for acknowledging our efforts!