Preservation & Conservation Services
Upcoming Workshops & Events
Digital Preservation Outreach & Education Program
Volunteers and professionals responsible for managing and preserving digital content are invited to a digital preservation workshop at the Indiana State Library on May 31, 2012. The workshop is based on curriculum developed by the Library of Congress' Digital Preservation Outreach and Education Program (DPOE), whose mission includes fostering national outreach and education to encourage individuals and organizations to actively preserve their digital content. The Indiana State Historic Records Advisory Board, in conjunction with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Commission on Public Records, are hosting and teaching the workshop.
View the DPOE workshop flier for complete details. Registration information for both events may be found on the SHRAB.IN.gov conferences page or by contacting Jennifer Harrison at 317-591-5222 for more information.
About Preservation & Conservation Services
The Indiana State Archives and the Indiana State Library partner to provide an integrated conservation department charged with preserving the cultural and historic record of the state of Indiana. The conservation department, staffed with one full time conservator, one full time conservation technician and several volunteers fulfills the primary goal of ensuring the long term survival of the collections materials of the State Archives and State Library both by undertaking conservation treatment of items from the collections and by implementing administrative and preventative preservation policies. The Lab also extends its expertise and knowledge to the state community whenever possible. Please see services for the public and services for state agencies and public libraries for further information. The Lab also accepts volunteers, interns and pre-program conservation students who can make a weekly commitment of three hours or more and are eager to learn basic preservation techniques.
For emergency record conservation, see our disaster assistance page.
Treatments carried out recently in the Conservation Lab
Details of the 1996 treatment of the 1816 manuscript of the Indiana State Constitution
Services for the Public
While the Conservation Lab cannot provide treatment, appraisal or authentication for private citizens, we are able to answer brief conservation and preservation related questions by phone or email. Please see our contact information and the State Library’s calendar of events for upcoming preservation lectures offered freely to the public. See our list of conservators in private practice to find out where to get tips and advice, get an item treated, obtain appraisal or authentication services, or buy archival products.
Services for State Agencies and Public Libraries
The Conservation Lab is committed to providing on-site disaster assistance, as well as training in how to create and administer a disaster plan for your institution. We can also provide consultation and limited treatment on a cost-of-materials basis for state agencies. Currently, we also offer several LEU approved workshops for librarians and are happy to consider requests to develop new preservation workshops. Contact us for further information.
Seeking Volunteers!
The Conservation Lab happily accepts volunteers, interns and pre-program conservation students to make protective enclosures for collections materials, clean and mend documents and help in preserving our movie reel film collections. Contact us for further information or if you have a skill not named above that you would like to provide for the Lab. Donations of equipment, materials or monies to support our efforts are gladly accepted through the Friends of the Indiana State Archives.
Contact the Lab:
Indiana State Library
Conservation Laboratory
6440 E. 30th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Stephanie Gowler, Conservator
sgowler@library.in.gov
317-591-5220 x376
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