National Preservation Research Agenda
The Preservation Directorate has developed a framework for research advancing the care of human record, based on a National Preservation Research Agenda developed in consultation with leading scientific laboratories. The Library has compiled a matrix (MS Excel) showing preservation science projects posed or undertaken by libraries, archives and museums worldwide. Research by the Library and other active labs takes many forms, ranging from scientific and forensic characterization studies to the development of treatments. For publications by Library staff on other projects, such as the effects of solvents on paper, treatment of mold, definitions of artifactual value, energy sustainability, and hundreds of other areas of past research, see Staff Publications.
Research Projects
The website provides periodic updates for a typical selection of Research Projects undertaken at the Library, with background on the need for the research, the state of knowledge on the topic, a description of the project, and findings, results and outcomes.
Analytical Projects
Analytical Services Program that analyzes the material composition of collection items to further scholarly research, conservation treatment, and preservation of the Library’s collections. This Program characterizes the chemical composition and condition of a range of materials, including pigments, inks, coatings and substrates such as paper, parchment, and papyrus.
See analytical project updates
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance Program that evaluates materials to ensure that they are stable and safe to be used in contact with the Library’s priceless collections. Materials are tested to meet the rigorous performance and composition requirements stipulated in Library of Congress specifications.
Read more and view specifications for housing and storage materials
Instrumentation
Preservation Research and Testing (PRTD) research labs include specialty instruments in microscopy and imaging, general spectroscopy, elemental spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chromatography, other analytical chemical techniques, physical measurements, and audio signal processing analysis, as well as other general equipment.
