Abigail Bainbridge, "Conservation of Books" (Routledge, 2023)

About this episode

This episode discusses the comprehensive reference work 'Conservation of Books' and its significance in the field of book conservation.

Editor Abigail Bainbridge and contributing author Sonja Schwoll join this discussion of Conservation of Books (Routledge 2023), the highly anticipated reference work on global book structures and their conservation. Offering the first modern, comprehensive overview on this subject, this volume takes an international approach. Written by over 70 specialists in conservation and conservation science based in 19 countries, its 26 chapters cover traditional book structures from around the world, the materials from which they are made and how they degrade, and how to preserve and conserve them. It also examines the theoretical underpinnings of conservation: what and how to treat, and the ethical, cultural, and economic implications of treatment. Technical drawings and photographs illustrate the structures and treatments examined throughout the book. Ultimately, readers gain an in-depth understanding of the materiality of books in numerous global contexts and reflect on the practical considerations involved in their analysis and treatment. Our conversations in this episode discuss how this book is a key reference text for the field, how it fuels important conversations about…

People in this episode

Host: Jen Hoyer

Guests: Abigail Bainbridge, Sonja Schwoll

Topics covered

• book conservation
• global book structures
• ethical implications
• conservation science
• materiality of books

Keywords

• book conservation
• global structures
• conservation science
• ethical treatment
• materiality of books

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Routledge

Books & works: Conservation of Books

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