Minimum intervention definition
Minimum intervention means minimum interference. Para- doxically, however, a book conservator needs to acquire con- siderable knowledge and experience before attempting to prac- tise ‘minimum intervention’. Since the late 1960s I have been conscious that in order to be able to create simple and adapt- able working methods one needs to have a deep historical awareness of books and manuscripts, considerable practical experience, a command over tools, a knowledge of a large variety of materials, and a broad repertoire of techniques. Many of my tools, materials, and techniques have evolved with each project. [7, 8, 9] It must be emphasised that these essential attributes and skills are quite different from those required to rebind books and will take time to acquire.