Christine McNair

Conservator (Books), Treatment and Collection Care – Objects, Paper and Archaeology Division

Main areas of work and/or specializations

• treatment of books and library materials
• treatment of parchment
• care of library-based collections

Biography

Christine McNair has a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in art history from Acadia University and an M.A. in Conservation Studies from West Dean College (UK). Her two and a half years of graduate work in the conservation of books and library materials culminated in a thesis investigating the history and conservation of textile bookbindings. During her studies, she completed a two-month internship at the Centre de Conservation du Livre in France.

Before joining the Canadian Conservation Institute, Christine worked at the London Metropolitan Archives (UK), at Archives Ontario and at Library and Archives Canada. She is the vice president of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) and was formerly the editor of the CBBAG Journal and the treasurer of the Book and Paper Group of the Institute of Conservation (UK).

Her research interests include parchment, alum-tawed skin and wax seals.