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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
The session on Conservation of Historical Materials covered preservation of library materials and historical instruments, and included an account of how one observatory set up a state of the art conservation laboratory and program. Mark Roosa of the Library of Congress told us in a very lively way what we should be doing to preserve current and rare library materials. Perhaps many of us knew some of these basic principles, but it was good to be reminded of them so that we can more actively apply them in our libraries. Janet Dudley (formerly of the Royal Greenwich Observatory) described the magnificent conservation project which was set up at RGO a few years ago. It would be ideal if such projects could be undertaken at all astronomy libraries which have rare books and archival materials. However, it is apparent that finding funds for conservation is very difficult in many institutions. Magda Vargha of the Konkoly Observatory described the conservation of historical instruments, and reminded us of the terrible things which can happen to these instruments if they are not considered within the historical perspective of the institution.