The physical features of an original artifact—paper, ink, binding, sewing structure, and covers—hold matchless information for the researcher. They establish a connection with the past that cannot be established through electronic access alone.

Thus the main object of conservation is to keep library and archival materials in their original format for as long as possible. Library and archival materials can be preserved through remedial treatment of individual materials (flattening, book and paper repair, binding), treatment of an entire collection (mass de-acidification, fumigation), and stabilization (surface cleaning, new containers, protective enclosures). Conservation methods and materials should not damage library materials.

Conservation also involves prudent collection management. For example, sound techniques for binding materials such as periodicals and unbound monographs are important, because the way these materials are bound determines how long they will last and how easily the contents can be accessed. While in the past, highly-decorated bindings were produced as a part of the rebinding process, the primary object of conservation is not cosmetic, indeed, the cosmetic approach can often compromise good conservation practice.

Below is an outline of some of the topics covered in this section.