Andrew Davis
Tuesday Oct. 26, 2021
Colloquium: Andrew R. Davis - Modern Revisiting of Historical Preservation Science Data from the William Barrow Labs
1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
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Abstract: This talk will describe one of the more curious collections at the Library of Congress: the testing books of paper chemist William J. Barrow. In the mid-1900s Barrow and his laboratory undertook an ambitious study of 1500 books printed as far back as the 16th century, meticulously recording their chemical and physical properties. By correlating book conditions to their papers’ chemical compositions after centuries of natural aging, Barrow and his laboratory offered systematic predictions of paper aging and longevity which have received both accolades and criticism. These test books now reside with the Library’s Preservation Research and Testing Division, and their past and future influence on the chemistry of paper preservation will be discussed. Recent work from the labs at the Library of Congress has revisited the historic Barrow Books Collection to investigate how modern analytical equipment and statistical methods can be used to complement Barrow’s existing conservation data and analyses. Some of these methods provide opportunities to critically assess Barrow’s initial work, and we continue to evaluate what new things we can learn when revisiting the collection. Additionally, learnings from these studies are now starting to be applied to a new study of book chemistry at the Library, funded by the Mellon Foundation, nearly as ambitious as Barrow’s historic survey.

Bio: Dr. Andrew R. Davis is a chemist and polymer scientist in Library of Congress’s Preservation Research and Testing Division. He is currently focused on collections preservation by studying the fundamental degradation science of polymer-based materials, including paper, film, and modern media. His work has included research and presentations on magnetic audio tapes, repair adhesives, and the test books from the William Barrow laboratory. Andrew is also involved in work to better understand the role of light, oxygen, and the environment in the fugitive nature of materials in order to better enable public display of light-sensitive objects. Andrew received his PhD in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to the Library of Congress, he worked in the Central Research Laboratories of 3M. Andrew is actively involved in STEM outreach programs and laboratory volunteer opportunities for high school and college students.

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