Preservation Outreach Through Non-Traditional Instruction and Engagement

Abstract

This poster will present outreach initiatives undertaken by the library’s preservation department to promote library preservation among students and patrons. In collaboration with special collections, the preservation librarian has lead several instruction sessions for various classes within the university’s art department. The sessions focus on bookbinding and book structure through the perspective of book repair. The success of these sessions has lead to a regular schedule of classes with multiple art department faculty.

Based on feedback from these sessions, the department held several public events in order to reach a wider student population. Events included setting up book repair stations in various high traffic areas of the library, where passing students could observe book repairs being performed. The department also sponsored a book arts event, in which students observed book repair and book binding demonstrations. This poster will discuss the collaborative process and outcomes of these initiatives.