What we do

We treat, repair, replace, reformat, and monitor the library’s collections, both physical and digital. These vital treatments make yesterday and today’s history available for future generations.   

Email us at preserve@iastate.edu.

Learn more about our work by reading our blog, Library and Archives Preservation.

We specialize in

  • Conservation and preservation of physical materials  
  • Digital preservation
  • Disaster preparedness and recovery

Who we are

Amber Bertin

AV Preservation Librarian, Preservation

Mindy McCoy

Preservation Services Coordinator, Preservation

Melinda Moeller

Senior Conservation Assistant, Preservation

Lisa Muccigrosso

Interim Head of Preservation

Diana Zhang

Library Specialist, Metadata Services and Preservation

June Somsanith

CLIR Grant Assistant, Preservation

Emily Stanley

Library Conservator, Preservation

Our history

The library’s organized preservation efforts began in the 1980s and developed into a vital aspect of the library’s mission. The Preservation Department was established in 1991 and in 1995, the 3,400 square feet Conservation Laboratory was built on the fourth floor of Parks Library. Staff offices are housed there along with workspace and storage areas. Mostly private sources funded this facility, including the Lennox Foundation, ISU alumnus Tom Booth, and ISU alumna Betsy Anderson Booth. These donors continue to support the ISU Preservation Department by funding new equipment and establishing the Lennox Endowment for Preservation Education, Training, and Outreach.