National Preservation Research Agenda
The Preservation Directorate has developed a framework for research advancing the care of human record, based on a National Preservation Research Agenda developed in consultation with leading scientific laboratories. The Library has compiled a matrix (MS Excel) showing preservation science projects posed or undertaken by libraries, archives, and museums worldwide. Research by the Library and other active labs takes many forms, ranging from scientific and forensic characterization studies to the development of treatments. For publications by Library staff on other projects, such as the effects of solvents on paper, treatment of mold, definitions of artifactual value, energy sustainability, and hundreds of other areas of past research, see Staff Publications.
Research Projects
Current and past research projects at the Library, including the project background, description, and results.
Analytical Projects
The Preservation Research and Testing Division analyzes the material composition of collection items to further scholarly research, conservation treatment, and the preservation of the Library’s collections. Analytical tests can characterize the chemical composition and condition of a range of materials, including pigments, inks, coatings, and substrates such as paper, parchment, and papyrus.
Quality Assurance
The Preservation Research and Testing Division conducts quality assurance on incoming housing and storage materials to ensure they meet the rigorous performance and composition requirements stipulated in Library of Congress specifications.
Instrumentation
The Preservation Research and Testing labs include specialty instruments for microscopy, imaging, general spectroscopy, elemental spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chromatography, other analytical chemical techniques, physical measurements, and audio signal processing analysis, as well as other general equipment.