A common thread. The textiles in libraries network - bringing together book and textile conservators to discuss multi-media objects found in library collections

Conference item : Poster

The Bodleian Libraries Conservation and Heritage Science team would like to present a poster and flash presentation about our ongoing Textiles in Libraries project and the international network of specialists that has developed from it. Since 2021 our team have been working on a project to develop the interdisciplinary links between those working with books and textiles in library settings. Our team of book, paper and preventive conservators come across these types of multi-material objects in our work everyday; from expected places like embroidered bindings and endbands, to more unexpected objects like tapestries and t-shirts, and so a large part of our initial project was to develop our own knowledge of textiles in order to improve the way we are able to care for these objects. This required us to look beyond the library and to form connections with specialists in other areas, and from other institutions and countries. From this starting point, the project developed into multiple strands, that over the years have woven together to form an invaluable resource of individuals and their knowledge which has benefited our work at the library, but also beyond. Within the initial project we organised practical workshops in textile conservation for our team, but we were also very keen to share this opportunity of interdisciplinary collaboration beyond the Bodleian. To do this we hosted a series of free online lectures, inviting a range of speakers to share their different experiences around this topic, including book and textile conservators, librarians, book artists and current students. We also hosted current students in related fields at the library, to give them the opportunity to consider these multi-material objects in ways they had not before at a crucial part of their education. Throughout these activities we quickly realised this is an area that many other professionals working in and around library settings also wanted to gain more knowledge in, and so we looked to maintain these invaluable inter-disciplinary links beyond the initial project period. So, the Textiles in Libraries Network was formed. Over the past five years we have hosted 10 online roundtable meetings, with the ever-growing group of attendees joining from around the world presenting on a wide range of objects and subjects, and generously sharing their knowledge and experience with each other. The Textiles in Libraries Network continues to meet online several times a year and welcomes new members from related fields who wish to participate in the rich tapestry of discussion around this topic. Please do get in touch if you would like to attend the next meeting.

Authors: Evans, AF

• Peer review status: Reviewed (other)
• Article number: 033
• Publication date: 2026-04-30
• Acceptance date: 2025-12-01
• Event title: AIC-CAC 2026 Joint Conference
• Event location: Montreal, QC, Canada
• Event website: https://shorturl.at/i4iCj
• Event start date: 2026-04-28
• Event end date: 2026-05-02
• Language: English
• Keywords: library; textiles; bodleian; conservation; books
• Subtype: Poster