Three years after the official commissioning of the National Library and Information System Authority’s (NALIS) Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Laboratory, the Authority has preserved over 20,000 items, including memorabilia from special collections of the Heritage Library such as the Constantine Collection and the Solomon Hochoy Collection. 

In commemoration of its third anniversary, the PAC Lab will host a week of free activities at the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago, Hart and Abercromby Streets, Port of Spain, which will include an exhibition, workshop, tours and an exciting Family Heirloom Preservation Clinic. The activities are intended to further empower library patrons by providing them with information and techniques needed to care for and prolong the existence of their own precious family heirlooms.

A wealth of information on the role and importance of the Laboratory, and preservation and conservation basics will be showcased at the PAC Lab exhibition, which runs from July 19 – July 29, 2016.

Additionally, hands-on techniques for salvaging water-soaked, paper-based records and materials will be the highlight of the PAC Lab workshop titled “When Disaster Strikes: Emergency Salvage of Water Damaged Family Heirlooms.” The workshop will be conducted by Danielle Fraser, library conservator and head of the PAC Lab, and will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Second Floor Seminar Room. 

The public can also participate in tours of the laboratory, which will provide an up-close look at how trained staff protect and preserve the nation’s rare books and other paper-based memorabilia. Several tours will run at different times during the day on Thursday, July 21, 2016. 

Finally, the popular Family Heirloom Preservation Clinic, which features a team of PAC Lab staff, will provide one-on-one, expert advice to members of the public on techniques to preserve items such as books, letters, postcards, diaries, family Bibles, certificates and diplomas, photographs, prints, drawings and maps. The clinic will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – noon at the Second Floor Seminar Room. 

Pre-registration is required for participation in the workshop, tours and clinic. For further details, contact 624-4466 ext. 2038 or email fraserd@nalis.gov.tt OR pr.marketing@nalis.gov.tt. 

The PAC Lab, which was officially commissioned on July 8, 2013, helps NALIS fulfil its role 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, they advise public and private organisations on the care of their collections and artifacts.