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In this blog post, HBCU
Library Preservation Intern John Davies, a rising Junior at Fisk University (Nashville,
TN), talks about his summer working with the conservation staff at the Winterthur
Museum, Garden, and Library:
I would like to
dedicate this post to Dr. Melissa Tedone, my supervisor
for the entirety of this internship. She was very patient with me, and
understanding of my errors. She never lost her temper, but simply guided me
toward a better way. To her I send much love and appreciation.
Making book cradles
was the first skill I learned after I arrived, and it presented itself an
interesting challenge that involved careful measurement, precise cutting
skills, and a boatload of patience. These skills were instrumental to my
success while working at this internship, because the same skills applied to
many other conservation activities, especially those involving the creation of
various storage devices for books and other documents in need of adequate
protection. The tools were rather simple, consisting of an Olfa knife, cutting
mat, T-square, ruler, and 40pt mat board. Whenever I made a serious error – most
of which occurred during the cutting procedure – I had to re-measure and cut
again. The whole experience made me extremely grateful that there are capable
surgeons in the world, because my cutting skills are sorely lacking, but I
digress.