Book Conservation Lab at the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Where Books Get a Second Chance
In a hidden corner beneath the bustling halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art lies a unique workplace where fearsome machines are just another part of the daily routine. The Sherman Fairchild Center for Book Conservation is home to a team of six dedicated employees who process an astonishing 2,500 books each year, saving them from the brink of decay and disrepair.
Unlike the rest of the museum’s art collection, books are meant to be handled and used, which means they are prone to wear and tear over time. Bindings break, pages crumble, and adhesive materials fail, leading to the need for expert intervention. Some of the books that arrive at the lab are rare and valuable, while others are more ordinary, like a book from the European Paintings department that simply suffered a broken spine from being dropped.
Mindell Dubansky, the head of the conservation center, explains that their goal is to intervene as little as possible while still maintaining the functionality and appearance of the books. The lab, which was renovated in 2011, is filled with antique tools and modern touches, creating an atmosphere of mad-scientist magic for those who enter.
For book lovers who want to keep their own collections in top condition, Dubansky offers some advice. Avoid exposing books to light, dust, and extreme temperature fluctuations, and store them in a vertical or horizontal position rather than leaning them. Use Mylar dust jacket covers for extra protection, and resist the urge to crack open a book unless you want to cause damage.
When it comes to bookmarks, Dubansky warns against using Post-it notes, paper clips, or leather bookmarks, all of which can harm the pages. Instead, opt for a simple slip of paper as the safest option. And as for dog-earing pages? Dubansky’s reaction says it all: “Talk about flagrant abuse!”
The work done at the Book Conservation Lab may go unnoticed by many visitors to the museum, but for those who love books, it is a place of wonder and dedication. Each book that passes through their doors receives the care and attention it deserves, ensuring that these treasures of knowledge and art will be preserved for generations to come.
