Summer School, The University of Edinburgh CRC - Day 2

The day started with a presentation about archives and and discussion why archives matter and what it entails to be an archivist, such as the ethical decisions that are sometimes linked to delicate or controversial material. We also learned about the efforts to make archiving language more inclusive while also not aiming at preserving the past.

Then we continued with a really interesting insight into the conservation of old books. We also learned that conservation is not the same as restoration, because conservation aims to be reversible and the marks of conservation are meant to be visible, while restoration aims to restore the object without these traces to be seen and to enhance the aesthetic value of the object anew.

We continued with an insight into exhibition management, how exhibition teams are structured and created and which things an exhibition manager has to consider when displaying items, borrowing them from other institutions, how the enhance the objects through exhibition design and why it is important that audiences see and can engage with the physical object in the exhibition space.

Then we looked at the digitization efforts that are done by the Special Collections and the Digital Imaging Unit and learned the best ways to take 3D photographs and the different merits between photography or scanning in the case of fragile, old or irregular objects.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the week!