2025 Brodsky Series for the Advancement of Library Conservation Lecture

Historic Scrapbooks in Libraries and Archives – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Anybody who works in or with library and archival collections knows that historic scrapbooks are some of the most engaging and personal materials found in our collections. However, they are also one of the most challenging to care for and provide access to.  This talk will offer a brief history of scrapbooks, their structure and materials, as well as examples of what makes them so special. Jennifer Hain Teper will then offer a series of case studies of how several challenging scrapbooks and photo albums from the Gwendolyn Brooks Papers were approached for conservation and digitization as part of a Save America’s Treasures Grant at the University of Illinois Libraries from 2020-2023.

Registration is required for the Zoom webinar and is encouraged for in-person attendees. Register here. All events are free to attend and open to the public.

Register now