While visiting the map exhibition in the Library, you may not notice what is underneath the rare books on display. Guess what, it is more than just a stand!
These rare books from our Special Collections have various ages; some older ones were published in the early 1600s, so they are almost 400 year old! To display them without hurting them is a huge challenge. Each book needs a custom-made support, called a cradle, that lets it stay open at the particular page and angle in the most comfortable way.
In May 2023, library colleagues Fiona, Lu, and June worked together as the “cradle team” to tackle the challenge. For each book, they had to take these steps:
1. Determine the angle: they first had to figure out with the curators which page was to be shown; then they determined the best angle to let the book stay open. This was crucial to ensure that the book spine wouldn’t be damaged while still allowing visitors to read the text and illustrations.
2. Design the cradle: they designed the shape and construction of the cradle to hold the book safely, meticulously calculated the exact amount of archival cardboard needed to craft a 3D cradle that would fit each book perfectly.
3. Make prototype and finalize: after creating a prototype, they consulted the conservator to make sure the support was up to a good standard; they then made the final product and wrapped it in velvet for an exquisite display.
You would not believe how much time and effort was put into making these cradles. You cannot see them, but they are crucial to the success of the display. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Fiona, Lu, and June, we can now marvel at these awe-inspiring ancient books. They serve as a remarkable testament to the art and craft of book printing and binding from centuries past.
Joyce Yau
Manager (Administrative Services)
lbjoyce@ust.hk
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