From July 9 to August 22, the National Library and Information System Authority’s (NALIS) Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Laboratory will commemorate its fifth anniversary with the hosting of activities which will include an exhibition, workshops and preservation clinics. These activities, which will be held at the National Library Building and select public libraries, are intended to further empower library patrons with information and techniques needed to care for and prolong the existence of their own precious family heirlooms.

The popular Family Heirloom Preservation Clinic will provide one-on-one, expert advice to members of the public on techniques to preserve items such as postcards, diaries, family Bibles, certificates and photographs. These clinics will be held at four Public Libraries: Sangre Grande on August 7, from 10:00 am 12:00 noon; Maloney on August 8 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon; Couva on August 13, from 9:30 to 10:30 am; Rio Claro on August 14 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and Carnegie (Corner Prince of Wales and Coffee Streets, San Fernando) on August 16 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Preservation workshops, which are one of the Lab’s signature events, will be held on August 20 and 22, 2018, at the 1st Floor Seminar Room, National Library. Participants will learn theory and hands-on preservation techniques and receive guidance from workshop facilitator Danielle Fraser, Library Conservator and the Head of the PAC Lab. Methods for salvaging water-soaked, paper-based records and materials will be the highlight of the workshop titled “When Disaster Strikes: Emergency Salvage of Water Damaged Family Heirlooms” on August 20 from 9:00 a.m. –2:30 p.m. The workshop will be repeated exclusively for NALIS staff on July 18 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Library and Archive professionals and paraprofessionals are specially invited to attend the third workshop “Dealing with Mould: Guidelines for Library and Archival Collections” on August 22 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. where participants will learn measures to prevent mould growth and actions to take should it occur within their collections.

The public is invited to view the Preservation and Conservation exhibition mounted at the News Media Room, from July 9 – 20. The exhibition material provides information on how to care and handle your paper based materials, dealing with disasters, insects and pests, acid degradation and much more.

For further details or to pre-register for any of the activities, contact 624-4466 ext. 2038 or email Danielle.Fraser@nalis.gov.tt or pr.marketing@nalis.gov.tt.

The PAC Lab, which was officially commissioned on July 8, 2013, celebrates its role in preserving countless library material and historical collections. As the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Preservation and Conservation Regional Centre for the English-speaking Caribbean the Lab’s core duty is to work with the Heritage Library Division in achieving their mandate to acquire, promote and preserve national heritage material. Additionally, the Lab advises public and private organisations on the care of their collections and artefacts.