The Science Park Library Annex, located at 2185 Sandy Drive, has provided the opportunity for the University Libraries to consolidate many of its special collections in one place under well-controlled secure and environmental conditions and to expand its conservation program with a state-of-the-art Conservation Center.
Special Collections. Penn State’s special collections held in Paterno Library, Scientific Stores, and other Annexes have been under environmental conditions detrimental to their long-term protection and needed to be re-housed in stable environs. Without such efforts, the university risks losing materials (such as, archives, manuscripts, rare books, ephemera, photographs, etc.) that embody the intrinsic value and irreplaceable nature of the most distinctive and rare collections available for research across the academic disciplines supported by the institution. Consolidating the collections in the Science Park Library Annex offers advantages in operating costs, security, indoor environmental conditions and future growth.
Conservation Centre. The new, state-of-the-art conservation centre more efficiently and effectively meets the needs of all the Libraries collections. Planned for the conservation centre are:
- special treatment areas for the isolation and de-contamination of newly acquired collections and those found with vermin or mold issues
- a dirty room where paring of leather or sanding boards will be contained
- a wet treatment area for the use of chemicals
- a vault to secure rare books and valuable materials, tools or other items that are delicate or expensive
- spacious work bench treatment space for practitioners, apprentices and interns and space for specialized conservation equipment and supplies
Newly created office space, separate from the conservation work benches, allows for the administrative component of the conservation work. This office is adjacent to the conservation area to allow the conservator to access the work area easily. The conservation center also has a separate break room where food and drink may be consumed to avoid damage to materials. Specialized equipment including fume hoods, a floor stand microscope, an oversized sink, an ultrasonic welder, a standing press, a job backer, board shears, and a mounted camera on a copy stand for pre- and post-treatment photo documentation have been placed throughout the conservation work area.
Date | Project |
---|---|
July 2017 - January 2018 | Design, approval, preconstruction |
February - August 2018 | Demolition, construction of conservation lab and staff offices, and installation of compact shelving |
August 2018 | Ready for shelving of materials |
September 2018 | Staff relocated to new offices in SPLA |
Note: Dates Subject to Change