The Library of Congress pursues preservation research with an aim to forward the National Preservation Research Agenda for the Human Record. Two extensive laboratories house a suite of cutting-edge instrumentation that enables advanced research into the wide and diverse range of Library collection materials. Below is a partial list of current and past studies undertaken by the Library's Preservation Directorate that includes background information on the need for the research, the state of knowledge on the topic, a description of the project, and research findings, results, and outcomes. The Library also conducts analytical studies on specific collection items, and quality assurance research, including the development of Library of Congress specifications. In addition, Library staff members have published extensively on a wide range of research topics, including the effects of corrosive media, non-invasive spectral imaging, modern and fugitive media, treatment of mold, definitions of artifactual value, energy sustainability, iron gall ink treatment protocols, and other preservation questions.
Environmental Studies
- Anoxic Encasements/Visual Storage
- Environmental Monitoring and Web-based climate control system
- Indigenous or Locally-Sourced Storage Materials
- Lab Renovation: Increasing Energy Efficiency and Reducing Environmental Impact
- Storage Materials: Alternatives to the Oddy Test
- Storage Materials: Determining Purity of Polyester Films for Use in Encapsulation of Collection Materials
- Storage Materials: Effects of Zeolites
- Impact of Hand Sanitizers on Collection Materials
Preservation of Traditional Materials
- Adhesives (see Quality Assurance)
- Aging: Improved Accelerated Aging Testing Techniques
- Aging: 100 Year Paper Natural Aging Program
- Books: Binding Materials
- Book and Paper: Volatile Organic Compound Testing
- Corrosive Media: Iron Gall Ink
- Corrosive Media: Verdigris
- Glass at Risk
- Mass Deacidification: Saving the Written Word
- Paper Strengthening through Paper Splitting
- Parchment: Cold Storage of Parchment
- Parchment: Integrated Forensic Investigations
- Photographs: Effects of Solvent Treatments
- Photographs: Early Ungilded Daguerrotypes
- Recycled Fiber Paper: Longevity Study
- Treatment Evaluations: Cellulose Acetate Laminates
Preservation of Audio-Visual Materials
- Imaging of Laterally and Vertically Grooved Analog Audio Recordings
- 3-D Confocal Imaging of Vertically Groved Analog Audio Recordings
- Magnetic Tape “Sticky Shed” Research: Characterization, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Documenting Sound Fidelity in Magnetic Audio Tapes Before and After Baking
- Lacquer Disc Research
Preservation of Digital Materials
- CD-ROM: Longevity Research
- CD-R and DVD-R RW: Longevity Research
- DVD-ROM: Longevity Research
Time-Based Media
Technology Transfer
- Anoxia: Fire Suppression System Tests
- Radiocarbon Dating of Materials
- Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS)
- Haptic Technology for Use in Conservation Training
- Integrated Digital Imaging Systems: Hyperspectral Imaging
- Laser Cleaning of Documents
- Instrumentation Analysis Resources at the Library of Congress
Experimental Sample Reference Collection
- Barrow Book Collection: Characterization and Access
- Center for the Library's Analytical Science Samples (CLASS): Dedicated Collection Space for the Library’s Valuable and World-Renowned Scientific Study Specimens
- Forbes’ Pigment Reference Collection: Characterization Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)
- TAPPI Standard Paper Reference Collection: Characterization Using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy
