The area of collection protection and conservation at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek is currently undergoing restructuring measures.

 

The task of the division Collection Conservation is to protect the library's collections, in particular those parts published in the mid-19th century and later, against damage and deterioration, and to ensure that the original works are preserved for future generations.

 

For example, around 4 million printed works in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek are at risk due to their paper composition. About half of these volumes are more or less strongly yellowed, but not yet disintegrating. The originals of these volumes can be conserved by means of automated deacidification processes. Further approximately 500,000 volumes from the period starting at the middle of the 19th century have partly considerably damaged bindings and covers.

 

The subdivisions Bindery Preparation and Rebinding form part of the division of Collection Conservation. These subdivisions are in charge of (re-)binding and repairing works from 1801 onward and storing such works in aging-resistant protective packaging. Simple binding and repair measures and storing library collections in aging-resistant protective packaging are carried out by the BSB staff. For binding new acquisitions, work-intensive rebinding and comprehensive repair works the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek cooperates with external book-binding companies.

 

In case you have any questions concerning the restoration of manuscripts and valuable printed works, please feel free to contact the  Institut für Buch- und Handschriftenrestaurierung (Institute for the Restoration of Books and Manuscripts, IBR) of the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

 

Regine Becher

Phone: +49 89 28638-2047

Fax: +49 89 28638-2403