MA Conservation Studies specialising in Books and Library Materials 2003 - 2005
After my MA in Conservation Studies, I began a journeyman period
where I worked a series of contracts as a book conservator for the
London Metropolitan Archives (UK), the Archives of Ontario, Library
and Archives Canada, private studios, and the Canadian Conservation
Institute (CCI). I was hired permanently as the sole book
conservator at CCI in 2011.
CCI is a special agency of Canadian Heritage whose mandate includes
treating artefacts of significance from collections across Canada
and the dissemination of conservation information through
workshops, publications, and responding to public inquiries. We are
also a research institute with conservation scientists that study
methods and materials in conservation.
It is a wonderful job. In many respects, it reminds me of my time
at West Dean College, as there are conservators from many
disciplines: textiles, works of art on paper, photographs, fine
arts, objects, furniture, metals, heritage interiors, and
archaeology. And we sometimes collaborate on cross-disciplinary
artefacts or consult on each other's materials. There are also
preservation specialists that advise on topics such as exhibition,
storage, risk management, and disaster response. We work with
conservation scientists as well on projects of interest and
occasionally assisting with their research in our areas of
study.
I love that I have the opportunity to teach and to influence book
conservation on a national scale. There are no formal book
conservation training programs in Canada which is increasingly
concerning as the few senior book conservators retire. In my
position, I hope to continuously work on my own professional
development in order to help shape the younger generation of book
conservators that are needed in Canada.
Find out what makes West Dean College of Arts and Conservation such an amazing place to study. Discuss your study options with tutors, learn more in a Q&A session with students, take a virtual tour and find out about funding at our next Virtual Open Day on:
Wednesday 9 December 2020 10am-12 noon or 5-7pm
Register your place and find out more