Icon, the Institute of Conservation is the new body for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK. Formed in 2005 from the merger of 5 conservation organisations, members of the new Institute can be part of any of the 17 different specialist groups. The Book and Paper Group is the largest of these specialist groups with a membership of approximately 1,040 - it is also one of the most active of the groups.

The Book & Paper Group recently organised an International Conference which was held in Edinburgh at the end of July 2006. Papers were wide-ranging, including sessions by Helen Shenton on 'The life cycle of Collections at the British Library', by Chris Clarkson on 'Case studies in book conservation' and 'Twentieth century book production and book conservation' by Stephanie Gibbs from the USA - plus much more. Other activities run by the group are less formal such as evening lectures, study days and beer meetings. The Icon website includes information on events run by all the groups as well as many other activities with a conservation theme that are run by other organisations. In addition to events the website holds a wealth of other information. For example, you can access the Chantry Library (established by the Institute of Paper Conservation - see Volume 15 of Skin Deep) which is a resource centre provided by Icon for members and non-members. The library has an extensive collection of literature on conservation, with particular strengths in library and archive materials, and art on paper.

As well as serving its members, Icon is a registered charity and is committed to promoting public understanding of the importance of caring for our shared cultural heritage and raising professional standards. The Institute runs an accreditation scheme for conservator-restorers (the PACR scheme) and it also operates the Conservation Register. The Register holds information on conservation businesses from across the UK and Ireland which include an accredited conservator. It was first set up some 18 years ago and is now searchable by specialist skill and geographical location, both online at www.conservationregister.com and via a telephone/postal service, +44(0)20 7785 3804. The Register is free to use and is for anyone looking for a conservator. It is widely promoted to the public as well as those responsible for caring for collections. In addition to the detailed information on conservators, it also includes a series of fact-sheets on caring for different types of objects and collections.

Membership of Icon is a good way of keeping up with news from both the Institute and the wider conservation community. The magazine Icon News is published bi-monthly and two journals, The Conservator and The Paper Conservator are published each year featuring articles on the latest developments in conservation and conservation research. For the most up to date information on Icon, the Institute of Conservation please visit our website www.icon.org.uk or call us on 020 7785 3805.

Icon, the Institute of Conservation
3rd Floor, Downstream Building
1 London Bridge
London SE1 9BG