Book & Paper

Icon Book & Paper Group unites the book and paper conservation community. The group supports the conservation of books, archives, manuscripts, works of art on paper, and related materials through professional development, knowledge sharing, and community-building.

We are committed to upholding Icon’s core values: integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, ambition, generosity, and forward-looking practice. Our aim is to promote the highest standards in book and paper conservation while supporting our members at all stages of their careers.

The Icon Book & Paper Group is committed to providing high-quality, accessible training and events that support Continuing Professional Development (CPD), address skills gaps in both institutional and private practice, and reflect the evolving needs of our members through open consultation and feedback. We aim to ensure fair compensation for trainers, encourage regional training opportunities, and promote national and international collaboration. Through these initiatives, we advocate for the recognition of book and paper conservators and strive to support a culture of shared learning, inclusive dialogue, and ethical practice within the field. We welcome training proposals and ideas from members; if you have suggestions or would like to request specific training, please contact us.

Book and Paper Group Conference

The committee also organises a Book and Paper Group conference, typically held every three years, to bring together the membership for knowledge exchange, networking, and celebrating achievements across the conservation sector. The conference committee is led by co-chairs recruited specifically for that purpose at the beginning of the conference preparation cycle.