Preservation Week 2015 will be April 26–May 7. This is an annual event created and promoted by the American Library Association to highlight preservation activities. Members of the Preservation Division at NYPL will be giving lectures on caring for your personal collections. I am composing a talk entitled Be An Informed Consumer of Custom Picture Framing. 

Before I studied to become a paper conservator, I worked for three different picture framing businesses over about nine years, mainly in the 1990s. I saw first-hand that the experience can be really overwhelming for the customers.There are many decisions to be made about mats, mounting, glass, the frame itself, and where and how to hang it when you get it home.  I tried to explain as much as I could, but I knew they were often wondering if they could trust me. I was a salesperson, after all, and framing can be quite expensive. 

Now, since I am no longer in the picture framing industry, but in the related field of paper conservation, I feel like I am uniquely qualified to describe the materials and techniques of picture framing, so that you, the consumer, will be familiar with the terminology, know what to ask for, and understand the costs.

My lecture will be on April 29 at 1 pm in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, South Court Classroom A. There will be time for questions at the end.  

If you want a double-feature; Shelly Smith, Head of Conservation Treatment, will be giving a lecture at noon entitled Caring for your home book, paper, and photograph collections in the same classroom.