Two brave warriors who have long watched over studying and sleeping students in the Reinert Alumni Library basement were boxed up and shipped away for a little R & R.

The two pieces of armor, one from historic China and the other from feudal Japan, were removed from their positions in the basement of the Reinert Alumni Library.

The two pieces are being sent to the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center run by the Nebraska State Historical Society.

“The suits have never been removed from their cases so there’s been a lot of slight degradation,” said Michael LaCroix, library director at Reinert. “Things like oxidation, lights and such can wear on artifacts like this, especially the fabric.”

The conservation center has a nine- to 12-month waiting list, so the suits will be kept in an airtight, fireproof vault until then.

“This is their first time being moved from the library since they were first down here,” said LaCroix. “It’s good to know they’ll be safe.”

The suits will not return to the basement library and university president, the Rev. John P. Schlegel will choose the next spot. Possible points of interest are outside the multicultural office in the Harper Center or in the Center for Asian Studies in Becker Hall.