Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. AI companies reportedly destroying rare books 2. FYI: Trump wants to Reduce Interior Secretary's Guidelines for Historic Preservation 3. Polyurethane Sponges 4. IPH Congress 2026 Paper Trade, Amsterdam - Register before August 1st for on site participation 5. Free webinars (mold in collections and energy efficiency in museums) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Saira Haqqi Posted: Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:21 AM Subject: AI companies reportedly destroying rare books Message: I was disturbed to come across this article, "AI Companies Are Buying Antique Books, Ingesting Their Contents to Train Models, and Then Destroying Them at Incredible Scale <https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-companies-destroying-rare-books>." Per the article: One small book seller said that in April, he suddenly went from selling no more than 20 books a week to hundreds, and he's almost certain that the customers are AI labs, noting the random selection of the books and how they all have ISBNs. He added that his inventory is full with rare and out of print books, meaning that an AI company could be destroying some of the few remaining copies that can be found. This seems like something that cultural heritage organizations like ours should be aware of and potentially taking a stand against. Additionally, as people committed to the care and preservation of cultural heritage, I think it is important for us to take practices like this, as well as the obvious human and environmental costs, into account when contemplating the use of generative AI tools. Initially, I was going to suggest that this is something AIC could (should?) release a statement about -- however, I can't see that this would actually achieve anything. If anyone has ideas for how we could effectively organize around this, I would love to hear them. Best, Saira ------------------------------ Saira Haqqi (she/they) Senior Conservator National Archives and Records Administration College Park, MD [email protected] ------------------------------ 2.From: James Moss Posted: Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:56 PM Subject: FYI: Trump wants to Reduce Interior Secretary's Guidelines for Historic Preservation Message: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/23/nx-s1-5904435/section-106-review-trump-historic-preservation-council <https://www.npr.org/2026/07/23/nx-s1-5904435/section-106-review-trump-historic-preservation-council> This would be a disaster of gargantuan proportions! Jim Moss 3.From: Anna Peck Posted: Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:57 PM Subject: Polyurethane Sponges Message: Hello, We are looking for a UK supplier of high density Polyurethane (cosmetic) sponges for surface cleaning textiles. Our previous supplier no longer exists. Please reply to: [email protected] Thank you Anna Peck Lead Studio Conservator - Textiles On behalf of the National Trust Textile Conservation Studio, Norfolk. Sent from my iPhone 4.From: Leila Sauvage Posted: Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:58 PM Subject: IPH Congress 2026 Paper Trade, Amsterdam - Register before August 1st for on site participation Message: Dear colleagues, Time is running out! IPH Congress 2026 PaperTrade will take place in the Netherlands from 24 to 29 August 2026. Registration for on site participation closes on 1 August. Deadline to register for online participation is extended to 19 August. This is your final opportunity to secure your place. https://www.aanmelder.nl/iphcongress2026/registration <https://www.aanmelder.nl/iphcongress2026/registration> Dont miss the chance to connect with colleagues, hear from inspiring speakers, experience unique excursions to paper-relevant places, take part in engaging discussions. If you havent registered yet, now is the time. Register today to ensure your participation. Looking forward to welcoming you on 24 August! Best regards, The 2026 IPH(olland) Organising Committee Birgit, Carin, Geke, Henk, Idelette & Leila 5.From: Melissa King Posted: Tuesday July 28, 2026 4:13 PM Subject: Free webinars (mold in collections and energy efficiency in museums) Message: Don't miss out on your last chance to register for the mold webinar, and look ahead to the Min/Max webinar co-hosted with the ECP team! First up is the 'Mold in Collections: Key Considerations' webinar presented by conservator and mold specialist Dr. Morena Ferreira. In this session, you'll learn how to identify and understand the mold risks specific to your site, and how to address them most effectively. Attendees will also get access to additional resources to support effective mold responses. July 30th | 10:30-11:30am ET Register today at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tO7AnE8kQCuBfC9stAJ7rg How much energy could your institution save by broadening its environmental parameters without putting collections at risk? An IMLS-funded research project by Environment & Culture Partners and the New Buildings Institute modeled this question across eight US art museums and found potential energy reductions of 11–26% when T/RH parameters are widened within collections-safe fluctuation limits. The team then turned the research into the Min/Max Dashboard, a free tool that any institution can use to estimate savings for its own building and climate zone. On August 6, the researchers behind the dashboard will do a live walkthrough of the tool and an overview of the study behind it, as well as a look ahead to what comes next: the Energy Star survey and what full site-specific energy modeling entails. The Min/Max Dashboard was created by Environment & Culture Partners and the New Buildings Institute, and the webinar, hosted by Conserv, is free to attend. August 6, 2026 | 2:00-3:00 PM ET Register today at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3617845977143/WN_KtrTRzkyRqmBuCDXDmM77w#/registration Ahead of the webinar, check out the dashboard <https://www.ecprs.org/capacity-building/min-max-the-relationship-between-energy-carbon-and-t/rh-parameters-in-collecting-institutions#dashboard>. ------------------------------ Melissa King Preventive Conservator | VP of Customer Experience Conserv Portland, ME www.conserv.io ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. 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