Preserving everything from digital wedding photos to books, papers, maps, photographs, vinyl records and tapes is the focus of a free walk-in Preservation Clinic from 2:30-4:30 p.m. May 19 in the Hatcher Graduate Library First Floor Gallery.

The public is encouraged to come for one-on-one consultations with preservation staff for advice on how to repair, copy, store, display and care for these items. They also will describe how to scan and preserve digital files and photos. People are encouraged to bring questions, items and friends.

“Caring for the University Library’s vast collections is our daily job,” said Shannon Zachary, head of the library’s Department of Preservation and Conservation. “It’s a delight to extend that mission to the public — to connect people with the information and resources they need to care for their personal collections and treasures.”

Preservation and Conservation comprises services for the care and maintenance of the library’s collections — to prevent damage, to extend useable life, or to repair damage — and coordinates preservation activities for the library’s digital collections. The Digital Conversion Unit, part of the Library’s Digital Library Production Services, manages all aspects of scanning so older materials can be stored and shared digitally.

Those attending are encouraged to enter from the Diag.