The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) was founded in 1973. It is the first non-profit conservation center in the United States to specialize in the preservation of paper-based library and archival materials.^[1]

NEDCC was initiated by the state librarians of the six New England states, who agreed to cooperate to provide services to non-profit institutions in the region. It was established with start-up funds from the Council on Library Resources, the New England Library Board, and other donors. From 1973 to 1980, the Center functioned as an arm of the New England Library Board. In 1980, it incorporated as a private, non-profit organization, providing services nationally.

NEDCC performs book conservation, paper conservation, photograph conservation, Asian paintings conservation, collections surveys, digitization, and audio preservation with the IRENE technology, on a fee-for-service basis. Through its Preservation Services office, NEDCC also provides preservation needs assessments, training programs including workshops and webinars, consultations, resources, and disaster assistance. NEDCC presents a yearly national conference, "Digital Directions", on creating sustainable digital collections.^[2] NEDCC assists repositories, performing arts institutions, religious organizations, hospitals, social service agencies, labor unions, zoos, and botanical gardens as well as private and family collectors.^{[citation needed]}