Deterioration of Paper Collections Nancy E Kraft University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu Preservation of Books and Other Media 21-25, May, 2012 IODE Project Office Oostende, Belgium

Preservation of Books and Other Media Discussion Understanding the elements that make up an item can help you understand how to take care of your collection. Samples of deterioration

Organic and Inorganic Material Preservation of Books and Other Media Organic and Inorganic Material Organic materials are made from (or extracted from) plants or animals. Inorganic materials are made from rocks and minerals.

Chemical Deterioration Preservation of Books and Other Media Chemical Deterioration Hydrolysis -chemical reaction of a compound with water Oxidation - chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons from an atom or a molecule. Oxidation requires an oxidizing agent (an oxidant), such as oxygen in the air, ozone, or pollutants.

Preservation of Books and Other Media Redox (Oxidation-Reduction) is the gain of electrons by an atom or a molecule. Typically seen in photographs containing silver image material. Damage appears in the form of loss of detail, fading, and silver mirroring. Simply stated: library materials interact with what is in their environment (heat, water, pollutants) and with the material and processes used to make the item.

Brief Overview of Paper Making Preservation of Books and Other Media Brief Overview of Paper Making

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Remember this statement? Preservation of Books and Other Media Remember this statement? Simply stated: library materials interact with what is in their environment (heat, water, pollutants) and with the material and processes used to make the item. We can the self-destruction of item – Inherent Vice

Preservation of Books and Other Media Inherent Vice As paper became more in demand and cotton got more expensive, ways to make paper faster and cheaper were developed: Wood pulp Lignin Alum/alum rosin Gelatin sizing Short fibers Metal particles Bleach

Lignin Groundwood pulp Mechanical wood pulp Preservation of Books and Other Media Lignin catalyst for acid hydrolysis photo-reactive (yellows) Groundwood pulp Mechanical wood pulp Detroit 1935

Chemicals used in papermaking Alum Preservation of Books and Other Media Chemicals used in papermaking Alum gelatin size; alum-rosin size papermaker’s friend alum + water —> sulfuric acid

Papers Today 1990s –> Dangers machine-made chemical wood fiber Preservation of Books and Other Media Papers Today 1990s –> machine-made chemical wood fiber synthetic alkaline sizing Dangers recycled fiber content experimentation with non-wood fibers

Permanent Paper Standard Preservation of Books and Other Media Permanent Paper Standard Must have a pH level of 7.5 or greater Must contain an alkaline buffer of calcium carbonate or other alkaline. Must be free of chemical impurities and, optimally, contain cotton or other rag fibers. Must be resistant to tears and folding.

Becomes Acidic Air pollution High RH facilitates acid reaction Preservation of Books and Other Media Becomes Acidic Air pollution nitrous oxide —> nitric acid sulfur dioxide —> sulfuric acid High RH facilitates acid reaction Heat facilitates acid reaction

Becomes Acidic Acid makes acid Acid migration Preservation of Books and Other Media Becomes Acidic Acid makes acid Acid migration

Acidity Thrust Upon It Media: iron-gall ink, verdigris, oil Spills University of Iowa Special Collections. MSC 542, misc. 2 (Papal Manuscript)

Inherent Vice Leather: Ink – Iron gall & colored Sulphur compounds Preservation of Books and Other Media Inherent Vice Leather: Ink – Iron gall & colored Sulphur compounds Traces of metal Pencil Vegetable tannins Laser and inkjet printing Marbled decorations Fax printing Adhesives: Animal glues Synthetic adhesives Colorants: Pigments and dyes

The invention of the cotton gin Chlorine bleaching Preservation of Books and Other Media Which of the following did not contribute to gradual decline of the quality of paper? The Hollander beater The use of alum The invention of the cotton gin Chlorine bleaching 2. Darkening of paper is primarily a result of: Acid hydrolysis The presence of high amounts of lignin Exposure to pollutants Exposure to light

3. The phenomenon of red rot in leather bindings is caused by: Preservation of Books and Other Media 3. The phenomenon of red rot in leather bindings is caused by: A. Acid hydrolysis B. Oxidation C. Presence of metal traces D. All of the above. 4. Which of the following is the most stable? Iron gall ink Laser printing Ink jet printing Felt tip marker

Preservation of Books and Other Media

Slides 17-19 and 21-23 courtesy of Shannon Zachary Preservation of Books and Other Media Slides 17-19 and 21-23 courtesy of Shannon Zachary Nancy E. Kraft University of Iowa Libraries Iowa City, IA email: nancy-e-kraft@uiowa.edu Website: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/preservation/ Blog: http://blog.lib.uiowa.edu/preservation/