Preserve your collections

Our preservation staff use specialised techniques to care for, preserve, and make accessible a range of items according to their use and significance.  As well as preserving our own collection, we offer advice and services to Queensland's regional libraries, other organisations, and members of the public.

Caring for collections

Caring for collections is easy when you know how.  These short videos will help you learn how to preserve your collections for future generations to enjoy.

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Group of children sitting on the grass reading books ca1900-1910

How to guides

Provides useful information to help you preserve and care for your precious collections.
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House washed off its stumps during flood of 1893

Salvaging damaged collections

Helpful information to deal with personal collections that have mould problems or have been water-damaged or infested with insects.
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State Library of Queensland Conservation team staff member working on a paper treatment

Caring for collections - webcasts

Caring for collections is easy when you know how.  These short videos will help you learn how to preserve your collections for future generations to enjoy.
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Postal workers loading the mail into horse drawn carriage at Woodford-Kilcoy Post and Telegraph Office ca 1913

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to common conservation, microfilm, photography, and audio visual questions.
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Contact us

Use our online form and we will respond via email.

State Library Information Services staff will take your contact details and a member of the Conservation team will contact you.

(07) 3840 7810

Mon to Fri, 9am – 5pm

Make an appointment with our staff.  We will contact you by phone.

You can book to attend one of our free conservation clinics if you require more detailed advice.  See What’s On and search the Events box for Conservation Clinics. 

Conservation Clinics
Learn how to care for and store your personal items and original materials such as rare books, artwork on paper, family heirlooms, films or photographs in an individual 15 minutes session with a conservator. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there are no scheduled Conservation Clinics.  

Conservation Unit

Preservation Services

State Library of Queensland

PO Box 3488

South Brisbane   QLD   4101

Our Preservation staff can also present workshops, including Skype sessions, and talks for regional and local organisations.  If you are interested, please complete an online enquiry form.

Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis and is subject to organisational priorities.

If you need to contact a conservator in private practice you can find them through the AICCM – Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural Material.