In our digital age, the very nature of the collection is changing. In light of rapid advances in technology and the rise of the internet, how we access, view and interpret a collection of objects is no longer as restricted as it once was. Yet it strikes me that there may be a price to pay for this new-found digital freedom and that its impact on the role of the conservator may be profound.

Meet Harvey. The Oscillating Vertical Steam Engine built in 1870, by Harvey & Co. Made with cast and wrought iron, brass, and steel, with a bottle green painted finish on the bearings.

The Tabula Atlantis collect. is an atlas, dating from the latter half of the 17th century, containing 54 maps by important well-known cartographers such as Visscher, De Wit, Sanson and others.

Students in the postgraduate Books and Library Materials Conservation program are assigned a historic model project in their second term. It is probably the most universally loved assignment of the year. This year, Lucy made an Armenian binding, Jess made a Spanish ledger binding, Laura made a replica of the Faddan More Psalter, and I made a chunky Gothic binding with bronze corners, centerpieces, and clasps. I think they are all magnificent.

Dorothy Cheng, who graduated from West Dean College's Metalwork Conservation MA last year, is on a 10-week internship with the New York City parks department's Citywide Monuments Conservation Program.

Currently on my bench is an early 20th century mirror that is in need of new silvering.

There are many different types of science. Some are loud and explosive, some are quiet and precise, and some are just kind of smelly. The MA project I'm working on this year definitely falls in that last category and I apologise to my fellow students for that.

Michael Greenwood on making a joint stool, starting from a log.

Lucy Cokes on the treatment of a green vellum account binding from the records of the Vandewall family copperas factories.