Conservation

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The Conservation Studio

The Archive Service Conservation Studio, staffed by professionally trained conservators, is an integral part of the Highland Archive Centre, Inverness.

The fully equipped studio provides Preservation and Conservation services to the four Highland Archive Service repositories, in Inverness, Caithness, Lochaber, and Skye & Lochalsh.

Preservation and Conservation

Prevention is better than cure, an important principle in the preservation of archives. Many factors accelerate the inevitable ageing process of organic materials such as paper, leather and parchment. Poor handling, packaging and inappropriate environmental conditions are just a few examples.

Fortunately measures can be implemented to retard this process. Duplication, archival packaging, good housekeeping and the provision of appropriate environmental conditions are all important aspects of an effective preservation policy. The Conservation Studio can advise on these and other preservation measures.

Conservation treatment may be required for damaged material. This follows careful assessment by a conservator in consultation with the custodian. Treatment commonly involves a degree of cleaning and repair, which require high levels of skill and experience.

The ethics of archive conservation require that treatment should not damage or weaken the document, diminish, falsify or obscure the original or the information within it. Repairs should be reversible, sympathetic, compatible, and evident. Only materials of the highest archival quality may be used.

Conservation Services

The Conservation Studio provides a varied range of treatments for conservation and preservation. Click here for leaflet.

Services available to meet clients needs include:

• Binding and repair of volumes, parchment and paper documents, plans, maps and seals.
• Preparation of documents for digitisation.
• Production of bespoke boxes and folders for documents and volumes.
• Encapsulation of documents in transparent archival polyester sleeves.
• Advice on archival storage, exhibition and environmental management.

 Contact: Tel: 01463 256444. Email: [email protected]