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The Preservation Services section of the University Libraries Preservation Department is charged with the preventative care and long-term maintenance of general collections materials. Preservation Services staff ensure in the following ways that materials are available in usable condition for UNC's academic community:

Commercial Binding and Shelf Preparation
All new materials are prepared for patron use by Preservation Services staff. Bookplates, ownership stamps and call numbers help patrons identify materials in the stacks. Library binding is used when appropriate in order to provide protection from everyday handling and to keep serial issues in order for ease of use. Staff prepare thousands of volumes for commercial binding each year.

In-House Binding and Repair
Library materials that have unusual formats or are too small or fragile for commercial binding are bound in the Davis In-House Repair unit. This unit also treats damaged materials to maintain availability for readers as long as possible. Treatments are selected according to American Institute for Conservation guidelines in consultation with the Libraries’ Conservator, Jan Paris.