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Who knew you could clean paper with a sponge?!
The workshop was set up early as one of the main tasks for the volunteers today, is to clean and re-house material including a large collection of Co-op material held by Rochdale Local Studies. Not all volunteers from this project are available on Fridays but those that attended (Georgia & Lucia) can show the others how to clean pamphlet, single sheets (e.g. Letters) and books which will help to consolidate their learning and also support their skills development.
Volunteers from other ‘on going’ projects at the Co-op, Manchester, have been invited to fill up workshop space and it is hoped in the future that other workshops run by various projects will allow for volunteers from the various projects to attend.
Various pamphlets from the Co-op Archives collection were brough up for Eugenie (conservator at Manchester Central Library) to show how to surface clean and for the volunteers to practice with.
Eugenie talked about conservation and the significance of it when it comes to archives. She showed examples of items that had been left for many years gathering dust and others that were possibly kept in places near open fires collecting soot.
Eugenie demonstrated the correct way to use the ‘smoke sponge’ to remove dust/smoke particles. The volunteers and staff members had a go at cleaning some pamphlets to begin with and later in the session, old letters were handed out to clean. Interestingly, Eugenie pointed out the difference in the paper that was being cleaned (the aper used with pamphlets was ever so slightly thicker than the paper that the letters were written on) and to be extremely gentle, taking care whilst cleaning. The group found it therapeutic and thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of questions were asked during the session and intriguing conversations took place.
At the end of morning session, the volunteers were confident with cleaning, teamwork, meeting others, confidence with skills learnt.