*This post is a modified version of a longer story written by Audrey Sage. Read the full story.*
When the university expanded the library in 1974, building the iconic tower in the what was the center of campus at the time, they included a wonderful conservation and bindery lab. There it has remained in its basement location for these last fifty years. The conservation staff has provided the care, maintenance, preservation, and restoration for thousands and thousands of items in the university library collections throughout the decades.
With the Jackson Library renovation beginning in January 2025, the Conservation Lab must now close its doors in the tower and relocate temporarily to a suite of rooms in the North Spencer dorm for the duration of the renovation. As things have been packed, shelves emptied, furniture sent to the surplus warehouse or moved to the new location, many memories have been revisited of the many students who have long since left this campus and embarked on their own life journeys as educators, bread bakers, handmade paper makers, bookbinders, musicians, visual artists, and countless other exciting careers.
Although it is bittersweet to close the doors on Room 61 after half a century of good work, good times, and so many good people, we look forward to the new changes and the updated library for the future learners and creators.
