General Preservation Survey of Special Collections at Albion College

FAIN: PG-50619-09

Albion College (Albion, MI 49224-1831)
Jennifer Ann Thomas (Project Director: May 2008 to November 2009)
John Kondelik (Project Director: November 2009 to October 2010)

A general preservation survey of the special collections, which consist of rare books and the archives of both the college and the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, from 1814 to the present. The rare books collection includes Americana, a 400-volume Bible collection, and modern first editions of American and British authors.

The Albion College Library requests a Preservation Assistance Grant of $6000 to have a general preservation survey completed of its Special Collections. The survey would assess possible risks to collections from building- and environmentally-related problems; address fire protection and security concerns; evaluate institutional policies and procedures as they apply to preservation; review the existing collections maintenance program in terms of shelf preparation, book repair, and commercial binding; provide recommendations for improving storage and handling practices; and review the general condition of paper-based collections. This project will provide the College with preservation priorities to follow so it can continue to provide access to these rare, valuable and, in some cases, unique humanities resources for research, teaching, and exhibition.