ブックタイトルConservation and Restoration of Western Paper

概要

Conservation and Restoration of Western Paper

Preservation of Modern Paper -Based MaterialsThe Perspective of Library and ArchivesAkio YasueLecturer, Gakushuin UniversityFormer Deputy Chief Librarian of the National Diet Library1. Introduction ? Cultural Heritageand the Collection of Libraries andArchivesMost of the collections housed in librariesand archives are modern paper-baseddocuments, and therefore their safekeepingand preservation are regular dutiesundertaken in these institutions. However,in accordance with the theme of this studymeeting, it should be understood that notall the collections housed in libraries andarchives are cultural property or culturalheritage. It is important to understand it.Nevertheless, the collections of librariesand archives should be regarded as culturaland historical resources, since many of themare expected to be kept very long time andto be available to the future generations. Inthis sense, the collections stored in librariesand archives are based on the same conceptas that for cultural property or culturalheritage.In terms of the preservation of documents,another difference between collections inlibraries and archives and those in suchinstitutions as museums should be noted.In libraries and archives, documents shouldalways be available to users. Even documentsare rare and valuable and may have beendesignated as an important cultural property,libraries and archives are under an obligationto provide them to users at their request.Although sometimes only a reproduction,not the original, would be provided for useand a special use procedure may be needed,it is the responsibility and their raison d'etreof libraries and archives to provide materialat the request of users.In this respect, it is different from thecase of general conservation institutionsfor cultural property such as museums. Inmuseums, documents and objects can bemade public for general visitors usually onlyduring exhibitions. Visitors are not allowedto take them in hand whether for carefulobservation or for research. That is, regardingavailability of access to the document stored,there is an essential difference betweenlibraries and archives, and museums. Thispoint would affect their respective strategiesfor the preservation of documents.Keeping in mind the issues noted above,the following sections discuss documentpreservation conducted in libraries andarchives.2. Development of Preservation inLibraries and ArchivesIn the past forty to fifty year, perhapslikewise in other cultural heritageinstitutions, the preservation of documentsconducted in libraries and archives hasdeveloped dramatically.One turning point in accelerating such12