I'm sorry to say that due to covid-19 access changes, PSU Library Special Collections is not currently making in-person research appointments, although the library itself is open to PSU ID cardholders to pick up circulating materials and use the computer lab. We can provide digital images and respond to other research questions over email in the meantime: specialcollections@pdx.edu ... Under non-pandemic conditions, though, this book and all of our collections are and will be available for public research!
I'm surprised to see the book being handled with bare hands instead of gloved hands, but I don't know a lot about ancient books. Could you share why this book can be handled with bare hands?
Thank you for asking this question--it comes up a lot, as professional recommendations for handling rare books has changed over time. PSU Special Collections follows the recommendations from the Library of Congress as described in our article here library.pdx.edu/news/the-proper-handling-of-rare-books-manuscripts/ ...in brief, conservators recommend clean, dry hands over gloves for handling books and paper, as gloves don't necessarily keep dirt off and do tend to make handlers clumsier. The trick is not to touch your face or hair while also handling antiquarian paper, parchment, or leather, because that's where the damaging oils come from! And, for these days, I've read that the alcohol in hand sanitizer can cause some premature degradation to paper and leather, so perhaps best not to use sanitizer just before touching a rare book!
FYI, this video has been edited with closed captioning so the content can be accessed without audio.
Is this available for the public to view?
I'm sorry to say that due to covid-19 access changes, PSU Library Special Collections is not currently making in-person research appointments, although the library itself is open to PSU ID cardholders to pick up circulating materials and use the computer lab. We can provide digital images and respond to other research questions over email in the meantime: specialcollections@pdx.edu ... Under non-pandemic conditions, though, this book and all of our collections are and will be available for public research!
I'm surprised to see the book being handled with bare hands instead of gloved hands, but I don't know a lot about ancient books. Could you share why this book can be handled with bare hands?
Thank you for asking this question--it comes up a lot, as professional recommendations for handling rare books has changed over time. PSU Special Collections follows the recommendations from the Library of Congress as described in our article here library.pdx.edu/news/the-proper-handling-of-rare-books-manuscripts/ ...in brief, conservators recommend clean, dry hands over gloves for handling books and paper, as gloves don't necessarily keep dirt off and do tend to make handlers clumsier. The trick is not to touch your face or hair while also handling antiquarian paper, parchment, or leather, because that's where the damaging oils come from! And, for these days, I've read that the alcohol in hand sanitizer can cause some premature degradation to paper and leather, so perhaps best not to use sanitizer just before touching a rare book!