The Book and Paper group (BPG) is the largest specialty group. Its more than 900 members represent a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties but share a common interest in the preservation and conservation of artifacts and collections of paper-based materials. Various informal "subspecialties" in the group focus on areas of specific expertise such as fine art on paper, books, archives, and libraries.

A main activity of the BPG is its program at AIC annual meetings. The program is usually a full day or more of papers, panel discussions, and special sessions, as well as a business meeting and social events. The BPG also publishes the Annual, a nonjuried publication that includes the papers presented each year and other submissions. Another BPG publication is the Paper Conservation Catalog, published from 1984-1994, an outline of practices and procedures used by paper conservators.

Smaller groups form occasionally to address specific topics such as the Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group, which has worked to identify the types of problems and possible solutions encountered in nonrare library materials. Fees to join: $25 (U.S. delivery); $35 (foreign delivery); $10 (student/U.S. delivery); $20 (student/foreign delivery).