Conservation OnLine

What's so great about CoOL anyway?

Well? …

We'd love to know!

As a trusted online resource that provides access to crucial information on subjects and topics related to the conservation of culturally and historically significant works, we want to hear from you. Do you have a few minutes to fill out this

short survey

to tell us about why CoOL is so …

CoOL?!

Your feedback will allow us to support information YOU value. Thank you

Conservation OnLine

Resources for Conservation Professionals

CoOL, an online resource operated by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation is a full text library of conservation information, covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest to those involved with the conservation of library, archives and museum materials. It is a growing online resource for conservators, collection care specialists, and other conservation professionals

A sample of areas covered

Conservation of Cultural Property

Materials

Subjects

Art conservation
Paintings conservation
Paper conservation
Photographic materials conservation
Book conservation
Sculpture conservation
Objects conservation
Artifact conservation
Wood conservation
Textile conservation

Archaeological materials
Architecture
Archives materials
Artifacts
Artists' materials Electronic media
Electronic records
Historic materials Library materials
Manuscripts
Modern materials
Museum materials
Natural history collections

Biodeterioration
Collections care
Conservation education & training
Conservation science
Conservation suppliers
Conservation treatment
Conservators
Copyright
Degradation of materials
Digital imaging
Disaster planning
Documentation

Ethics
Health & Safety
Intellectual Property
Library Binding
Mass deacidification
Mold
Pest management
Preservation-related organizations
Reprographics
Restoration
Terminology

Why I Give to CoOL

Olivia Primanis
Book Conservator, Ransom Center, University of Texas, Austin

January 17, 2013

When I am stumped by a preservation problem or conservation treatment, I consult CoOL and the Conservation Distlist. I can quickly gather information from this amazing centralized repository covering over twenty-five preservation and conservation topics, selected bibliographies and more. I can find organizations like WAAC and the Video Preservation website or query the archives of numerous sister organizations. I find that even if I don't navigate to CoOL when I have a query, I usually find myself directed there by the search engine.

How often do you enjoy reading the Distlist or consult CoOL?

I remember Walter Henry telling us about the World Wide Web at AIC meetings in the late 1980s and the new way that conservators would be able to communicate. Walter built a pretty remarkable framework. Combined with the Conservation Distlist, which has over 10,000 members in 94 countries, Conservation Online has become one of the main sources for preservation and conservation information in the world.

CoOL, like the AIC and the FAIC, is us. It is an essential resource for our field, where we can build on the past with our current efforts. Since the FAIC has taken over responsibility, a new phase has begun for CoOL. At this time, I would like to challenge the conservation community to give to CoOL, so that we can continue to build Conservation Online, and so that it can continue to be freely available to conservators around the world.

If you would pay $1.00 a day for coffee to stay awake, how much could a resource be worth if it helps you stay informed? Please join me to support CoOL and remember no contribution is too small.

You can donate online at http://www.conservation-us.org/donate
or mail a check to:

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC)
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005

Thank you for your participation and support.

The content of CoOL comes from a variety of sources and we hope that all users will consider contributing some material to the project. As you use the server please pay attention to lacunae that you might be able to help fill. If this is your first time here, please read an important message about copyright. If you would like to contribute material to CoOL, please send a note to wh. To report problems or offer suggestions, select the Feedback links at the bottom of each page

AIC site has moved to a new home

AIC has moved to a new host http://conservation-us.org where you will find greatly expanded offerings for both conservation (and allied) professionals, the public, and members. AIC members will be especially happy to know that they will now benefit from member-oriented services well beyond those that CoOL has been able to provide.

CoOL and AIC continue to work together to provide quality information for the conservation community. AIC and CoOL have had a long, and happy history together--the first AIC documents were added to CoOL in May 1994, when CoOL was still a Gopher and WAIS site-- and I'm very pleased to say that much of the content you're used to seeing here will continue to be available in CoOL.

The Journal of the American Institute for Conservation (JAIC) remains here, as do publications such as postprints, annuals, reports, abstracts, etc., from