Bromley House Library
CONSERVATION AT BROMLEY HOUSE
As a listed building and historic library, Bromley House by its very nature compels us to look at issues of conservation and/or restoration.
We therefore have several ongoing programmes in this respect. In all of this we are dependent on the generosity of benefactors and volunteers, as the library is not in a position to provide sole funding for the work.FURNITURE RESTORATION
We have some beautiful antique furniture: clocks and cabinets, library steps and chairs, tables and coal boxes. These occasionally need re-polishing or repair (members will perhaps recall the chair in the Standfast Room progressively spilling its stuffing on to the floor recently...). When our budget allows, we are able to send these for specialist treatment.
PICTURE RESTORATION
We have recently been able to send away four of our large oil paintings for restoration and cleaning. This very costly enterprise has been made possible through donations from several charitable trusts, and from individuals associated with the Mundella school. The paintings in question are the ‘Portrait of A.J. Mundella’ (on extended loan to Bromley House), the ‘Portrait of an unknown gentleman with cuirass and baton’, ‘Portrait of Joseph Turney Wood’ and ‘Portrait of the Reverend Robert White Almond’.
Portrait of A.J Mundella restoration made possible through donations made by individuals associated with Mundella School.
BOOK CONSERVATION
NADFAS volunteer scheme
We are lucky enought to benefit from weekly conservation work carried out by a team of trained NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) volunteers. Most, but not all, are members of the library, and all have received training in book conservation before they are allowed to begin working with us. Anyone interested in joining one of the four groups, who work on a rota system, please contact library staff.
Re-binding
We have a budget allocation for standard cloth re-binding of those books which are becoming unuseable, but which are not particularly old or precious. A decision has to be made as to whether re-binding is a more economic, or, indeed, amore aesthetically acceptable alternative to buying a replacement copy.
Conservation binding (Adopt-a-Book)
Through the generosity of our members, we have been able to run an extensive book conservation project. Our aim is always to make our books accessible and useable; many of our most fragile items now have a new lease of life due to the donations we have received and the remarkable conservation work carried out by Derry in Cotgrave.
We also occasionally benefit from grants awarded by charitable trusts specifically for book conservation.The before and after photographs below illustrate the conservation work carried out by Derry
Wright's Directory
Derbyshire Parish Register
Book dusting days
Some of our members are happy to ‘get their hands dirty’, and join us in our annual Book Dusting Days. Like painting the Forth Road Bridge, we work our way around the library, carrying out basic dusting of books and shelves. Do please ask if you would like to be involved in the next event!
