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Center for the Library's Analytical Scientific Samples (CLASS)
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Library experts have designed a state-of-the-art Center for the Library's Analytical Scientific Samples (CLASS) to facilitate scholarly and scientific national and international study of the Library's unique reference sample collections. CLASS comprises both a physical space with physical reference sample collections, and CLASS-D (Center for Library Analytical Scientific Samples – Digital) a database framework for accessing and storing scientific information about these collections.
Background: One great challenge for understanding library collection materials and their deterioration is due to the lack of documentation for older storage, handling, and repair histories. It is often difficult to know how or where even modern paper, blank CDs, photographic chemicals, or other materials were originally manufactured, making it challenging to identify their characteristics without extensive testing. With the expansion of the non-invasive testing and instrumentation in the Preservation Research and Testing Division, the capacity for non-invasive analyses of collection materials has greatly expanded, However in order to recreate specific degradation mechanisms the CLASS scientific reference materials allow destructive testing on non-Library collection samples in order to best protect the wide range of materials in the Library’s diverse collections.
Small variations in material properties can result in significant differences in the behavior of materials, especially for composite materials, and all analytical instruments produce results that can differ depending on what specific parameters were used for the testing. These realities make it essential to have reference standards to improve scientists’ confidence in relating and comparing their research findings to those of other heritage scientists.
The Library has assembled a pre-eminent collection of scientific reference materials for this purpose. In 2008-09 the Library established a specific location to strengthen consistency and tracking of storage conditions for these samples, and Preservation Directorate scientists began to create analytical profiles for them, documenting the specific instrument parameters and conditions used for testing.
The goal is to create an integrated Web-accessible digital data library and an efficient process for requesting reference samples for research. This will increase the reliability of preservation research data around the world. Representative sample collections include the TAPPI fiber and Barrow Book Collections (for paper research) and the Forbes Pigment Collection (for inks, printing, drawing, and other media).
Description: CLASS now encompasses 1,000 square feet and will for the first time allow scholars outside the Library's staff to use the Library's world-renowned scientific study collections. The Center will house the following reference sample collections under documented and climate-controlled conditions:
- TAPPI Fiber Collection of 70 paper fiber samples
- Forbes Pigment Collection of 1000 rare pigments
- Barrow Books Collection of a 1000 volumes used for seminal mass deacidification studies
- Magnetic tapes of a range of formats
- Compact discs (CD)s
- Characterized papers including Institute for Standards Research (ISR) papers
- Shellac and lacquer discs
Other institutions have similarly significant reference sample collections for exchange. In addition to housing the physical samples, CLASS will create an online database containing digital data (spectra, images, metadata) which will permit information exchange among institutions nationally and internationally.
A prototype database of the CLASS reference materials is available in the attached template, pending IT approval for making the system web-accessible with the associated analytical testing data and linked publications of analyses that have been undertaken.