Spotlight on: Preservation Volunteers

The Libraries' Book Conservation Lab is pleased to introduce volunteer Andra Risch. Each of our volunteers is essential in helping with the constant workflow within general collections care.

Andra Risch has been volunteering in our lab for a full year! During this time, Andra constructed dozens of custom four-flap enclosures, created barcodes and labels for completed treatments, and cleaned spines on books needing repair (a very tedious, messy task). Andra is currently working on meticulous paper cleaning and repair on a series of fashion magazines from the Cooper Hewitt Museum. Before moving to the D.C. area, Andra lived outside of Portland, Oregon where she was exploring her career options in art and conservation. Andra has previously lived in Rome and is a prolific baker and gardener. Andra has also been a certified scuba diver since the age of 17.

All of our volunteers help complete many tedious and meticulous tasks that are essential in everyday preservation operations. The current economic conditions have affected all departments of the Libraries, and the already short-staffed book conservation lab would be lost without their help. Many thanks Andra—we look forward to continuing our work with you!—Phuong Pham