Preservation of Books and Other Media 21-25, May, 2012 IODE Project Office Oostende, Belgium Collections Housing, Handling & Housekeeping Nancy E Kraft University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Containers Preservation of Books and Other Media Watch for misuse of words PVC free Acid free Never assume “equivalence” Acid-free does not mean lignin-free PVC-free does not mean photo-safe Archival does not mean fade-proof Tune out the word “archival” and look for specifics: pH levels Lignin content Fade-resistance Passes PAT (Photo Activity Test) Should be the right size, provide support

Terminology Preservation of Books and Other Media The term "pH" is used to express the acidity or alkalinity of paper-based materials. It does not apply to plastics. The pH scale runs from zero to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being alkaline. Acid-free or acid-neutral enclosures have a pH of 7 to 7.5 and will absorb a limited amount of acid before they themselves become acidic and begin to decay. Lignin-free or low-lignin paper is produced from cotton or linen or other materials from which the lignin, a natural component of wood that darkens when exposed to light, has been chemically removed.

Preservation of Books and Other Media Buffered or alkaline-buffered enclosures contain an alkaline substance (the buffer) to raise the pH of the paper so it can absorb and/or neutralize a certain amount of acid. Lignin-free, buffered enclosures (pH 8.5 or above) actively reduce the sources of acid damage and are preferred for most paper-based materials. The Photographic Activity Test (PAT) was developed by the Image Permanence Institute (IPI) to evaluate the suitability of enclosures for photographic materials. The PAT can be performed on paper or plastic enclosures.

Plastics Preservation of Books and Other Media  Mylar Polyester – Gives support while allowing users to see the image  Polypropylene – Uncoated polypropylene is acceptable low cost alternative to polyester  Polyethylene – Lower cost alternative where clarity and rigidity is not needed  Avoid PVC and cellulose  Never use plastic enclosures if the media is flaking or friable, as with charcoal or soft pencil.

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Good Housekeeping Preservation of Books and Other Media Dust from top to bottom Use good vacuum cleaner, Keep edge of books to edge of shelf Monitor for mold and insects Clean each individual book and the shelf Handle with care Establish a schedule Check your air ducts and furnace filters Do not use chemically treated cloth Object with chalk, charcoal, flaking, active/wet mold, should not be cleaned (conservator should do this)

Handling Preservation of Books and Other Media Think about how the item is constructed and where it’s weak /strong point is before handling Pull book from shelf by its spine, not by the top spine edge Handle photographs/CDs/DVDs by the edge Provide map with support before moving, if large, ask for help Slide delicate letter, manuscript, map onto a support before moving Use two hands If planning to move something a distance, make sure there is a clear pathway Ask yourself – does it need to be handled? Examples

Exhibits Preservation of Books and Other Media Low, dim light Type of light should not exude heat UV shields if possible Facsimile if very rare, important (or rotate real with facsimile) Fragile, light sensitive items no more than 12 weeks Ideally nothing over 1-2 years Exhibit case should have low humidity and not exceed 70°F or 21°C Exhibit case should not be of wood or should be lined Acceptable barrier materials include polyester film, 4-ply 100% rag board, polyethylene foam sheeting, and Marvelseal (an adhesive-free laminate that is flexible and impermeable to gases and moisture). Dust/pollutant free

Preservation of Books and Other Media Fabric should have no additives and should be washed before using Undyed cotton, linen, polyester, or cotton-polyester blends can be used. Silk is acidic, and wood off-gases sulphur compounds Use acrylic or Teflon gaskets, not rubber, to seal cases Can use silicon gel to help keep microclimate dry Don’t leave book open to same page for several months Use appropriate supports Books should not be forced open, but opened to “their comfort level” Documents and photographs can be mounted using photo corners Don’t use adhesives directly on an item

Before copying an item Preservation of Books and Other Media Examine the item How sturdy is the item? Is the spine in tact? Are there loose pages? Will the item withstand being turned over? Consider copying face up Does the book lay flat easily? Should the book be supported so it can open at an angle?

Preservation of Books and Other Media Nancy E. Kraft University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, Iowa Website: Blog: