Preservation in Timbuktu

Today's (Aug. 7, 2007) New York Times has a nice article on preservation of ancient texts in Timbuktu. It is interesting to see the various preservation techniques of transcribing the texts (reformatting in a slow world) and there is also a picture of someone constructing what looks to be a clamshell box. The article demonstrates the important role of local libraries preserving local history. The audio slideshow is worthwhile viewing.