Hello my name is Patrick Layton, I am curently a PhD Researcher focused on determining the age of Leather, Parchment, and Paper using non-desctructive and non-invasive means. I am a former Book Conservator for the University of Hawaii at Mānoa Hamilton Library (2020-2022), paper conservator for Missouri State Archives (2019), supervisor for the Brigham Young Univeristy, Harold B Lee Library Book Repair (2013-2018).

I learned my craft while obtaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management at Brigham Young University where I graduated in 2013. After graduation I stayed at BYU working for the book lab in the Library until 2018 when I decided to further my education. I applied for and was accepted to a master’s programme at the University of the Peloponnese in Kalamata, Greece. There I studied Cultural Heritage Materials and Technologies. I lived there for a year studying what techniques can be applied in the study of cultural artifacts. In the programme I was fortunate enough to build my thesis around dust settling in fairly closed library environments, neither of which had any HVAC systems in place. The goal was to try and take my research towards a PhD studying if we could determine the penetration/solubility of hygroscopic materials in the atmosphere. Essentially I want to know how deeply the atmosphere of the surrounding area impacts library materials. I found a PhD role that fit my interests.

I aam working with libraries and archives to help researchers have definitive answers for how old an item is. My goal is to be able to use this research and methodology to help more researchers have access to high quality data and information. Being non-destructive and non-invasive will hopefully open the doors of more libraries and archives in Europe and the world to build a truly robust dating methodology.

I am excited for the future of libraries as we accept, embrace, and teach new technologies. Libraries really are the early adopters of new things, whether that be virtual reality/augmented reality, 3-D printers, and online journals. The library is one of the first places that many populations will get to see and interact with this technology in a positive environment. This allows libraries to be a vehicle for change in the lives of so many people. The library is such an important part of the health of society and I am proud to be a part of them.