The Contribution of Tony Cains to the Preservation of Historic Library Collections and his Legacy with the Long Room Project at Trinity College Library, Dublin

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tony Cains’s important contribution to book conservation is widely acknowledged. This essay focusses on the pioneering and sustained work that Tony has provided in the area of book preservation through the Long Room Project. Tony initiated this project in the 1980s to address the pressing preservation needs of the diverse collection of historical bookbindings, from the 15th-19th centuries, housed in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin. The Long Room, which stores the books, dates from the eighteenth century and presents many preservation challenges. Tony took a systematic (and phased) approach to training teams of preservation assistants to work their way through the collections. In doing so, Tony developed several new in-situ repair techniques and learned more about the material nature of the collections. He also stressed the collaborative nature of many preservation activities. An area where all stakeholders must assume responsibility and ownership to aid in the long-term longevity of historical book collections. The essay also shows that Tony’s model was one of sustainability as the preservation project exists to this day and the collections continue to be carefully cared for.