The Preservation of Books and Manuscripts in Cambodia

In April of 1989 Cornell University, with the support of the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, began a modest program to preserve scarce and unique library and archival materials in Cambodia. Cornell's involvement was an extension of the university's research and teaching activities in Southeast Asia including Cambodia. Preservation efforts are needed because of the devastation and neglect of collections resulting from decades of war. During the three-week project, the author surveyed the collections, trained staff in a variety of basic preservation techniques, assisted in the identification of preservation priorities, made arrangements for the shipment of conservation supplies, and developed plans for the establishment of a microfilm operation. Through the combined efforts of the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, Luce Foundation, and Cornell University, these preservation/conservation initiatives are continuing. In the fall of 1989 Cornell began a project to film on location important materials in Phnom Penh.