Collections and Discovery Services provides access to the physical materials collected by the UO Libraries by preparing materials new to the Library for patron use, and by preserving the existing collections. Staff collaborate with other departments to meet the special needs of the Libraries' various collections. Listed below are the three main categories of work that support this goal.
Materials Processing
The Materials Management Technician is responsible for preparation of physical materials for library patrons’ use, which includes:
- attaching labels and barcodes, as well as bookplates when appropriate, to materials
- overseeing the binding of materials not sent to the commercial bindery
- preparing highly specialized library materials, including rare books, portfolios, music scores, and electronic formats.
Bindery Preparation
The Preservation and Binding Specialist is responsible for the following activities that ready materials for commercial binding:
- collects, collates, and prepares serials and selected new monographs
- manages binding shipments
- identifies materials for replacement or reformatting
- prepares materials for rebinding and reformatting
Conservation
The conservation of library materials takes place in the Beach Conservation Lab . In the lab the Senior Conservation Technician manages the Libraries' conservation activities, which include:
- evaluate materials for appropriate preservation, conservation, and restoration treatment
- perform reinforcement, repair, and housing for book-format materials using archival materials
- educate staff and public about preservation issues and procedures
- participate in salvage of damaged materials