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Du Bois Museum Foundation Staff Return from Library of Congress Training to Lead Preservation Efforts
Du Bois Museum Foundation Staff Return from Library of Congress Training to Lead Preservation Efforts
Accra, Ghana — Friday, March 13, 2026
Two staff members of the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, Maxwell Akojobeyin and Musah Yakubu, have returned to Ghana after completing an intensive six-month internship in book preservation at the Library of Congress, the national library of the United States and one of the world’s leading institutions in archival preservation.
They departed Ghana in September 2025 and returned in March 2026. During their time in Washington, D.C., they were hosted by Library of Congress Preservation Specialist, Mr. Alan Haley, and his team, who provided hands-on training in modern conservation techniques and international best practices for preserving books and historical materials.
The training covered a wide range of practical skills, including how to properly handle fragile materials, assess their condition, carry out basic conservation treatments, and store them using archival standards. It also introduced staff to environmental control, documentation systems, and emergency response techniques to protect books and documents from damage.
Their return comes at a critical moment. The Foundation has begun the first phase of its broader redevelopment plan to transform the Du Bois Centre into a world-class museum, research complex, and cultural hub. This phase focuses on restoring the historic Du Bois Bungalow to reflect its original state as the residence of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois.
As part of this process, all books, papers, and archival materials are being carefully removed from the bungalow for proper storage and preservation. When Dr. Du Bois relocated to Ghana in 1961, he brought with him a significant collection of books, research materials, and personal papers. Over time, many of these materials have deteriorated due to age and environmental conditions, making urgent preservation necessary.
Maxwell Akojobeyin and Musah Yakubu are now leading this effort, applying the expertise gained from the Library of Congress under the guidance of Mr. Alan Haley, who is currently in Ghana to support and supervise the process.
A structured conservation workflow is applied to each item, incorporating documentation and cataloguing, condition assessment, surface cleaning, dimensional measurement, treatment specification, stabilization, and rehousing in archival-grade enclosures.
This effort is not just about preserving old books. It is about protecting the knowledge, stories, and history they carry. Many of these materials are rare and cannot be replaced. By preserving them properly, the Foundation is ensuring that future generations will still be able to access, study, and learn from them. In doing so, the Centre continues to serve as a living space for research, education, and the sharing of knowledge.
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