Preservation

History

Organized preservation efforts at the Iowa State University Library began in the early 1980s and have since developed into a dynamic and vital aspect of the Library’s mission. The Preservation Department was established in 1991. In 1995, the current Conservation Laboratory was built on the fourth floor of the University Library. 

3,400 square feet house the staff offices, workspace, and storage areas. Over half of the costs of the facility were raised from private funding, including the Lennox Foundation, ISU alumnus Tom Booth, and ISU alumna Betsy Anderson Booth. These donors have continued to support the endeavors of the ISU Preservation Department by funding the purchase of new equipment and establishing the Lennox Endowment for Preservation Education, Training, and Outreach.

Preservation Units

For preservation & conservation inquiries please contact us at preserve@iastate.edu or by calling 515-294-9116

Audiovisual and Film Preservation: 441 Parks Library

Responsibilities: Physical care and preservation of the sound and moving image collections held within the ISU Library especially within the Special Collections and University Archives. 

Collections Conservator: Lisa Muccigrosso, 441 Parks Library, 515 294-9116

Responsibilities: Coordination and implementation of the preservation program for the University Library collections in all formats. Conservation treatment, digital conversion, binding, brittle book replacement, environmental monitoring, disaster preparedness, and preservation education are the primary aspects of the preservation program efforts.

Conservation: Mindy Moeller, Senior Conservation Technician, 441 Parks Library, 515-294-0776

Responsibilities: Physical care of general, circulating materials in the Parks Library, Library Storage Building, and the Reading Rooms, as well as Special Collections and Archives materials.

Digital Preservation: 204 Parks Library

Responsibilities: Development of policy and oversight of technical procedures in support of the long-term retention of digital objects held within the ISU Library.

Preservation Services: Mindy McCoy, 204 Parks Library, 515-294-6348

Responsibilities: This unit brings together all vended services under one manager. It consists of reformatting services including, preservation photocopying and microfilming, custom-fit enclosures, and commercial library binding.