Ancient books receive new life under skilled hands

At the Shaanxi Provincial Library in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, a group of dedicated women diligently restore ancient books. Like medical specialists treating patients, they work to extend the lives of the old volumes — beating plant pulp to make matching paper, taking the books apart and then rebuilding them.

A professional restoration requires significant time and energy. Proper procedures must be followed.

First, the ancient books need to be photographed and archived to preserve a record of their characteristics. Subsequently, suitable restoration paper is selected or made based on the material, grain, thickness and other characteristics of the original pages.

The main paper used for restoration is handmade — produced using traditional papermaking techniques. Adhesives generally consist of pure wheat starch. The paste, a spray bottle, tweezers, a brush and a small hammer are the common tools used for diagnosis and repair.

"It is easy to get started but difficult to master," said Wu Feifei, the leader of the ancient book restoration group. "Even after years of working in ancient book restoration, when a damaged page of an ancient book is in my hands, I dare not be careless. Every step is crucial, and every process must be meticulous."

In 2005, the ancient book restoration group was officially established at the Shaanxi Provincial Library. It was followed in 2008 by creation of the Shaanxi Ancient Book Protection Center, which was approved by national authorities in 2015. Since the start of the work, more than 100 precious volumes have been successfully restored.

"The greatest insight gained from restoring ancient books is to do our best for each book," said restorer Wei Yu. "Every aspect of restoring an ancient book requires careful consideration."

Details such as the amount of water sprayed to flatten pages and the paper's shrinkage rate all need to be considered, with restoration plans adjusted along the way to ensure the ancient books receive the most appropriate treatment, she said.

With the continuous development of technology, the tools used by ancient book restorers and skills have undergone many changes. Nowadays, the task is not just a craft but also a science. Devices like pH testers, acid removal machines and paper tensile strength machines, add new dimensions and vigor to the restoration craft, which has been practices for a millennium.

"Compared with traditional ancient book restoration, the current process is more scientific and standardized," Wu said. "The establishment of restoration records is also more standardized. We refer to modern restoration standards for cultural relics. It's systematic."

"Ancient book restoration plays a significant role in the protection and inheritance of our Chinese culture," restorer Chen Qian said.

"Through restoration and preservation, the life-span of these precious ancient books is extended, providing important materials for future generations to use in study and research. Ancient books are important sources that a nation can use to build cultural confidence. Restored ancient books can also help the world understand the long history and culture of China."

Feng Qian and Zhang Jiayi contributed to this story.