The Joy of Sharing:

It all started with Becki, a friend of mine in Chicago who worked for Aikos.  When the store closed she didn't know quite what to do, and mentioned to me she would love to get some experience in book conservation in order that she could find a position doing just that.  This request prompted me to investigate the feasibility of hiring an enthusiastic individual during the summer months in order to provide needed training and experience.  It was a win win idea, we would get additional work done 

Our first intern, Becki.

and the intern would be exposed to the dynamics of a working lab, along with learning techniques in book conservation.  After a successful summer, Becki returned to Chicago and worked for both the Art Institute's Ryerson Library and the Newberry Library as a conservation technician.









Since that time, we have hosted numerous interns, both as short summer positions as well as full year.  I established a liaison with a professor at the University of Texas in the Master of Science in Information Studies and Certificate in Conservation graduate program.  Through that program, we hosted two graduate students for a full year.  This was especially rewarding as they were able to become integrated into the department.  They participated in the Library's orientation for new employees, met individually with the Dean of Libraries, and other administrators.  One of the interns was hired here after her term was over to assist in our blossoming digital program.

Since the demise of the Texas program, I developed a relationship with North Bennet Street School in Boston, Massachusetts for bookbinding students who are interested in conservation.  http://www.nbss.edu/full-time-programs/bookbinding.  We are able to offer an eight week internship during the summer.  Though shorter in length, many of the essential elements, such as learning the role of a preservation unit within the library organization and meetings with library leadership, are core components.

One of our interns, Mckey, from North Bennet, worked on our scrap book from Robert May, the creator of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer.  Each intern is given a special project to help enhance their portfolio and to give them a challenge in expanding their skills.  This was a very successful project
and it is now used without further damage.

Mckey, North Bennet intern.

Cover of scrapbook from Robert May.

Inside page from Robert May's scrapbook, before treatment

Looking at the treated scrapbook.

Another North Bennet intern, Lizzie Curran, is now our Assistant Conservator.  Just shows you how good things come back to you!

This year, I am excited to say that we will be hosting a student from Bennington College who will be doing her field work term during January and February 2018.
http://www.bennington.edu/academics/field-work-term.  This will be a new venue for us and I am pleased that we are able to offer such a position to someone who is very young in entering the field.

Bennington College, Bennington VT.

So, what is the point of going on about all the wonderful people we have had as interns?
The point is, that as an institution of higher learning, we have been able to contribute to the field of book conservation by offering these opportunities and in return we are rewarded with new insights and new shared techniques that interns bring.  So, I encourage those who think they may be able to provide such opportunities to explore the options.  The end results are very gratifying.



Written by Deborah Howe