Karen Vidler FIIC

Subject Leader Books and Library Materials

Karen is a book and paper conservator and bookbinder with over 25 years’ experience working as a conservator and bookbinder in the United Kingdom and Australia. She has worked at The National Archives, V&A Museum and the Leather Conservation Centre. She moved into private practice in 2006 where she established Book Conservation Services. Her teaching practice includes delivery of foundation and advanced level skills and knowledge in bookbinding and book conservation education and training in the UK, Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia. Since 2010 Karen has supervised student interns from conservation degree programs to ensure graduates are more profession-ready.

Karen is a fellow of the IIC (International Institute for Conservation), holding qualifications in both book conservation, bookbinding, leather technology and vocational education and training. She has published widely on aspects of bookbinding and conservation.

Research interests

Minimal intervention techniques, tacit and explicit knowledge at the bench, bookbinding history.

“My career path includes continually improving my teaching knowledge and skills in the discipline of bookbinding and conservation education and training. This applies to vocational and higher education, where practice-based teaching in these specialist disciplines is important for profession-ready graduates.”