This post was originally published by the University of British Columbia Library.
Yan Li is a librarian and rare books Conservator at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In October, she began her 100-day visit at UBC Library’s Conservation Space, during which she will work with the library’s Conversation and Preservation team. The visit is the result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between UBC Library and Fudan University that supports the exchange of Eastern and Western conservation knowledge and skills.
We spoke with Li about her conservation and preservation work at Fudan University and what she is looking forward to most during her time at UBC Library.
Q: Tell us about your role as a Rare Books Conservator at Fudan University. What kind of projects do you work on?
My role as a librarian and conservator includes—but is not limited to—teaching, research and conservation. I have eleven years of experience in the field. I specialise in Chinese rare books, rubbings, and painting conservation. My current research focuses on the adhesives used on Chinese rare books, the reproduction of paintings in rare books and scrolls, and making rubbings. In the past, I have worked on Chinese rare books, sutra and painting.
Fudan University has about 400,000 rare books. Among them, there are about 7,000 titles (60,000 fascicles) that are rare items. Fudan University Library offers a Master’s program on Chinese rare book conservation. Every year there are students from all over the world learning about Chinese rare book conservation. In China, rare book conservation and preservation focuses on learning and understanding the components of the paper, which includes analysing the content of the paper, in order to master various ways of conserving and preserving rare books. Today, Fudan University offers programs on Chinese rare book conservation and preservation.
“My current research focuses on the adhesives used on Chinese rare books, the reproduction of paintings in rare books and scrolls, and making rubbings.”
As one of the first national conservation and preservation centres established in China, Fudan University Library plays a leading role in research, teaching and international partnerships in Chinese rare book conservation knowledge sharing. The conservation and preservation institute currently has seven consultants and seven conservators.
Read the full interview on the UBC Library website.