The Notarial Archives, Valletta: Starting from Zero

The main objective of this paper is to talk about my work as a book and paper conservator in the light of the current rehabilitation project at the Notarial Archives in St Christopher Street, Valletta. With its six centuries of manuscript material spread over two kilometres of shelving, the state of preservation of the archives has presented numerous challenges over the last years. The EU funds granted in recent months are a crucial investment that will ensure the safeguarding of the collection, but putting one's house in order is not just about money. A number of other considerations such as careful planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, clever marketing, accessibility, team-building and creating a clear vision for the future have been some of the central factors that continue to contribute to the success of this project. A discussion on the general preservation and conservation strategies that are being undertaken for the project will also be given.