The original plan for these guidelines envisaged a number of texts written by different specialists. However,
combining these disparate building blocks into a balanced structure turned out to be no easy task. In an earlier,
provisional version there was a lack of cohesion among the individual chapters and subdivisions.
We have therefore taken it upon ourselves, as final editors, to revise the whole text. In order to obtain the
desired internal cohesion it often proved necessary to make drastic changes in the texts delivered to us, but the
final result is based on the essential elements provided in the original texts. The authors of these texts, Peter
Goddijn, Henk de Groot, Peter Hallebeek, Henk van Soest, Guus Taconis and Marijn de Valk, consequently
deserve a special word of thanks for their contributions.
We would also like to express our thanks to Rolando Biondi and Ko van de Watering, who carried out the
practical research together with Henk van Soest, and to other contributing colleagues from the participating
institutions.
Thanks are also due to the translator, Lysbeth Croiset van Uchelen-Brouwer, who spent many hours consulting
with the editors on the fine detail of the text. Ko van de Watering offered valuable help with the translation of
specific technical terms.
Please note that local/national regulations for storage and handling must be observed when using chemicals
and materials recommended in this publication.
Wim JTh Smit
Head Conservation & Optical Technology
Koninklijke Bibliotheek
Henk J Porck
Conservation Scientist, Library Research & Scientific Documentation
Koninklijke Bibliotheek