The Bibliotheca Alexandrina expands its Restoration Laboratory
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The Bibliotheca Alexandrina has started the process of expanding its Restoration Laboratory of manuscripts. Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director General of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, declared that these expansions aim at convoying the future plans of the Library in this field. The tasks of this laboratory used to be restricted to the restoration of the old manuscripts and has now expanded to include rare as well as modern books, which are subject to wear and tear as a result of the daily use by library users. This expansion aims at preserving and maintaining the physical status of library holdings.
Dr. Serageldin added that the laboratory experts are continuously trained. They already received training in Italy, Turkey, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Youssef Zeidan, Head of the Acquisition and Manuscripts Departments, said that there are six experts in the laboratory who undertake the restoration of manuscripts, rare books and maps, in addition to repairing and sterilizing used books. Manuscripts and rare books receive the special treatment; dusting, unbinding, restoring its leaves, assembling, sewing, preparing the headband, fixing the restored cover and finally preserving it in a special box made in the laboratory. All materials employed in the restoration are natural such as glue, paper, thread, and leather. The duration of the restoration process depends on the condition of the manuscript. As for maps and rare books, they need careful technical wet treatment according to their status. This is done after making sure that the ink is fixed. Finally, when they get dry the restoration procedures are carried out.
Since the establishment of the laboratory around 140 rare manuscripts, 23 old maps and 25 rare books have been restored.