Introduction to Identification of Printmaking Techniques
Tuesday 29 April 2008
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about how various prints are made, the materials and technologies involved, including printing inks and paper types. There will also be the chance to learn basic information, including the characteristics of different types of prints and how they are classified into the three printing groups: intaglio, planographic, relief. Participants will also gain an insight on how to identify the techniques used to produce various prints.
Participants are invited to bring along their own prints for discussion and collective identification.
Please note that we are not able to give valuations or provide secure storage for items while you visit other parts of the Library.
Event Time: 14.00 – 16.30
Location: Centre for Conservation, British Library
Price: Free by timed ticket. Spaces limited. Advance booking essential.
Caring for your family archive
Saturday 8 March 2008
Many families are now gathering together photographs, documents, medals and other memorabilia to create their own family archive. Some of these objects may not be in the best condition due to natural aging of the materials, damage to the item or poor storage conditions. You are invited to bring your objects along and learn from our conservation team about how best to care for the documents and objects you treasure.
Please read a selection of comments below from members of the public who attended this event:
"Extremely good clear succinct advice. I will certainly come again and look forward to a workshop on storage of archive material."
"I received individual advice on the painting I brought in, an explanation of the damage that had occurred and why, advice on how to have it conserved and re-framed and information on the Institute of Conservation."
"Today was an 'introduction' for me! It would be good to have follow ups - I brought in old family photographs and have got a very good idea how to proceed… Thank you!"
"Very helpful indeed. Made me realise I have more things to conserve than I thought and will now jog me into action. Many thanks"
"Very informative and inspired to take more care and notice of the details in our family archive Thank you"
"I only wished I had brought more objects but thought you could only bring one item."
Conservation mounting and framing
Wednesday 30 January 2008
This seminar offers basic knowledge and simple guidelines for conservation mounting and framing of photographs and works of art on paper, for example, prints, drawings and watercolours.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the principles of conservation mounting and framing and how to select a mount and frame that will protect as well as enhance the picture, whether they are carrying out the work themselves, or taking a picture to a commercial framer. There will also be the chance to learn about different types of framing materials including types of conservation mountboard and make a sample mount.
There will also be the opportunity to talk to conservators about how to mount a variety of different artworks.
Event time: 14:00 - 16:30
Location: Centre for Conservation
Price: Free. Spaces limited. Advance booking essential.
Conservation Advice Clinics - Caring for
your Family Archive
Saturday 8 December 2007
Many families gather together photographs, documents, medals and
other memorabilia to create their own family archive. Often these
objects are not in the best condition as the items may have been
damaged, or aged badly due to the material being of poor quality
or poor storage conditions. You are invited to bring your objects
along and learn from our conservation team about how best to care
for them.
Please read a selection of comments below from members of the public who attended this event:
"It was very helpful to learn about conservation as it is not always done by people with valuable photographs, books etc. Excellent suggestions. Staff extremely helpful, informative and welcoming"
"The advisors on book conservation were particularly helpful and informative."
"Very enjoyable and a ray of sunshine on a very wet day"
"I have learnt far more that I expected plus possibility of follow up advice from the National Preservation Office"
"Lovely people helped me. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for organising such an event"
"Highly useful event, my learning experience was great. Very knowledgeable staff and lots to think about. Thank you!"
"A very worthwhile enterprise"
"It should be repeated regularly and often!"
"Very helfpul. Gave me a chance to visit the Conservation Centre which I had not seen before."
Conservation Advice Clinics
- Looking after Historic Family Photographs
Tuesday 16 October 2007
Many families have collections of photographs ranging from the
very recent to those taken over 100 years ago. This seminar is aimed
at the novice photographic enthusiast and those trying to sort and
store family papers and will include basic advice on how to avoid
storage problems in photographic collections. Participants will
have the opportunity to learn about types of photographs, estimate
the date of images using clues in the photograph, look at examples
of storage materials and how to place a photograph in a specialist
mount. There will also be the opportunity to talk to conservators
about simple ways to improve storage of photographs.
Participants are invited to bring along one of their own photographs
of 8 x 10cm to use during the session.
Event time: 14.00-16.30
Price: Free, places are limited to a maximum of 30 people
Family Archives Advice Day
On the 23 June 2007 we hosted a Family Archive Advice day in the
new British Library Centre for Conservation.
At a time when family history is increasing in popularity, we have
had an increase in the number of requests for information on how
to care for family photographs, documents and medals and other memorabilia
- which because of age or poor storage conditions are not in the
best condition.
Conservators were on hand to provide advice about the care of items
that members of the public had brought with them. The items brought
in included dolls, textiles, photographs, photograph albums, a 17th-cventury
Islamic manuscript, newspapers, and Imperial Russian passports.
Please read a selection of comments below from members of the public who attended this event:
"A first class service. I was delighted and most appreciative of the information and advice received."
"Wonderful service. I know exactly what I have to do with crumbling Russian Imperial passports! Thank you very much."
"Very important and educational"
"Book Conservation event was very helpful"
"Splendid. Lots of useful information and advice, which I shall follow!"
Forthcoming events
Home > 
