Travelling back through the centuries of medicine with one of our library conservation volunteers
Did you know we have a team of conservation volunteers? Mara Pengler is a Research Paediatrician (PhD in Child Health at UCL GOSH and the Institute of Child Health) and has been a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine for 20 years. She began volunteering at the RSM library in 2015 as an Arts Society (formerly NAFDAS) Volunteer in Book Conservation. She spoke to us about what it is like to work on the historical books and journals at the RSM library, describing it as feeling “like travelling back through the centuries of medicine.”
What made you first want to volunteer?
I have always loved books, particularly rare books with beautiful illustrations, as well as medical research. I have been interested in the History of Medicine since I was a medical student. I visited several exhibitions at the library and appreciated the beautiful and fascinating books the library owned, and I noticed that there was a Conservation Study. I had already been introduced to the subject of book conservation by a friend who was a conservator at Lambeth Palace, so I approached the librarians to observe. I was introduced to the head volunteers, Fiona, a brilliant Senior Volunteer, who allowed me to work with the rare books after completing the 'Introduction to Conservation' one-day training course, led by conservator Caroline Bendix, ACR, at the NAFDAS (Arts Society) headquarters in London. Fiona carefully trained me in book conservation, following the NAFDAS guidelines written by Caroline Bendix, one of the top library conservators in the country and the tutor of our work. Caroline has provided us with annual training days to refresh our knowledge, supervise our work, and offer guidance to the librarians.
What does a day look like volunteering at the library?
As Arts Society volunteers, we carry out basic book conservation on books from the collection of the Library of the Royal Society of Medicine, which includes the Marcus Beck Library, home to a unique collection of beautiful, rare books. Firstly, I select a book to work on, carefully examine it, and enjoy reading or appreciating its illustrations. I assess the books using the Royal Society of Medicine Conservation form in the library’s online database, which we must complete (similar to a condition report). This form provides guidelines on how to treat the books and journals. It begins with details of the book and covers the condition of the materials, distinguishing between non-treatable conditions and those we can treat (such as cleaning, repairing torn covers and spines, paper repairs, leather treatment, and protective measures like Melinex jackets, phase boxes, book shoes, and tapes). We use wheat starch paste, which is reversible, to repair covering materials and papers, should the book require the work of a professional conservator. I typically work on three different books at a time, as the paste needs time to dry. It is an activity I aim to make enjoyable and relaxing. When needed, I consult with the librarians about the books I am working on to discuss treatments as part of the team. I work around four to five hours once a week, with a lunch break. The working hours in the studio are flexible, with options to start at two hours every fortnight or once a month.
Mara applying starch paste to one of the books in our library collection
What is your favourite activity to carry out when you are at the library?
My favourite activity at the library is having access to these old books and journals and being able to enjoy them by reading and handling them. It feels like travelling back through the centuries of medicine and other sciences (as the library holds books in various scientific fields) and observing how they have evolved over time. I have had the privilege of working on books by Newton, Paracelsus, and others. Additionally, it is fascinating to see how the materials used to make books have changed over time, which makes conservation quite a challenging task for me. It is very satisfying to be able to prolong a book’s life in the way we can, so that other doctors or professionals can enjoy them or use them for their research in the future.
Do you have a favourite exhibition that has been displayed?
I have enjoyed all the exhibitions at the RSM Library that I was able to attend, as they showcased very interesting books, many of which were beautifully illustrated, covering various medical topics that were highly instructive for me. I particularly enjoy when rare books are displayed, but one of my favourites was the exhibition on Marcel Proust and the medicine of the Belle Époque, as well as those related to medical discoveries in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tools used for the restoration of some of our oldest library books
Has volunteering at the library aided in your career development?
From a medical point of view, I have gained medical knowledge by reading these wonderful books that span centuries, and I have developed a better understanding of how medicine has evolved over time. Additionally, I have enjoyed discovering original articles in large volumes related to my speciality, as well as learning about important authors and their work from early modern books to the present. The library holds many treasures that are available for reading.
From a book conservation point of view, I decided to pursue something different. During the Covid pandemic, I enrolled in a BA (Hons) in Conservation: Books & Paper at the City & Guilds of London Art School – Ravensbourne University London. It was a three-year, full-time course, and I completed the first year. Although I was unable to continue for various reasons, I was awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Conservation: Books & Paper by Ravensbourne University London. I had excellent tutors during the first year of the course, where I was taught practical skills and the history of bookbinding, paper, papermaking, an introduction to book and paper conservation, boxing, Islamic binding, printing techniques, manuscripts, leather, medieval calligraphy, drawing (illumination on parchment), medieval colours, and marbled paper. The course also included modules on Introduction to Conservation (taught by tutors from English Heritage and the National Trust), Chemistry and Pigments (tutors from the National Gallery), Biology, and the History of Decorative Art, among others. All of these subjects have helped me better understand the books and their materials that I work on, and I am happy to share this knowledge with others who are interested in the subject. I also gained work experience at the Wellcome Collection and had valuable learning experiences by visiting the conservation departments at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University College London Library, and the Senate House Library, University of London.
Find out more
Learn more about the process of conserving historic books in these documents:
Library of the Royal Society of Medicine, London Heritage Centre – Conservation Studio Arts Society Volunteers
Arts Society Volunteering at the Library of The Royal Society of Medicine
Are you interested in joining our conservation team or volunteering at the library? There are many flexible options available to fit around your studies or work commitments. Find out more by emailing library@rsm.ac.uk.
The RSM library is open Monday to Sunday 7:00am to 11:00pm. If you are interested in finding out more about the library, please come along to our free library tours, held every month. Details of the next tour can be found here: May library tour