Notice: Due to ongoing construction, 4 East is currently closed to the public.  To obtain items located on 4 East, please place an online request for the item to be paged for you using the ‘Place Request’ button in the catalog. Please visit our Circulation FAQ page for assistance in using our catalog.
Notice: Due to ongoing construction, 4 East is currently closed to the public.  To obtain items located on 4 East, please place an online request for the item to be paged for you using the ‘Place Request’ button in the catalog. Please visit our Circulation FAQ page for assistance in using our catalog.
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Michigan State University Libraries
Conservation & Preservation
366 W. Circle Dr.
East Lansing , MI 48824
United States

Florence G. Wallace Conservation Lab

The Florence G. Wallace Conservation Lab treats (or repairs) books from both the Libraries' circulating collections as well as all the special collections, including rare books, maps, and some unusual items.

Examples of conservation treatments for circulating collections include:

  • paper mending
  • pamphlet sewing
  • tightening hinges
  • cloth reback (or spine repair)
  • board reattachment
  • new case (or new covers)
  • rehousing (placing in a protective box)

Examples of treatments for special collections and archives items include many of the above as well as:

  • washing paper
  • advanced paper repair
  • deacidification
  • hollowback hinge repair
  • tightback hinge repair
  • full-leather bindings

The conservation lab is named after Florence G. Wallace, mother of Margaret Moon, who donated money for the renovation and outfitting of the lab. From 2004 until 2012, the lab was located in Giltner Hall, across campus from the Main Library. In 2013, the lab moved back to the Main Library in newly renovated quarters.