How do conservators decide which books to treat?
Newberry conservators work with curators, librarians and other members of the Newberry Library staff to determine priority for treatment. Sometimes objects can be pushed to the front of the line by involvement in a grant, exhibit, heavy reader use, or because of a specific donation. What role does a book’s value play in determining its treatment? Conservation standards are applied in the treatment of all items, regardless of their value. In many cases, the treatment of an item costs more than monetary value because the Newberry recognizes research and artifactual value. When a conservator proposes treatment, it is important to note that curatorial consultation is a critical part of the decision-making process. Monetary value may be taken into account when selecting a level of treatment.
