Library Preservation Today!

Transcription

1 Library Preservation Today! Environmental Monitoring and Control A N A L C T S W E B I N A R P R E S E N T E D B Y J U L I E M O S B O T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y M A R C H 2,

2 About me Julie Mosbo Director of Preservation and the William and Susan Ouren Preservation Librarian at Texas A&M University Libraries since October Prior to TAMU, Preservation Librarian at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale from ACLTS Fundamentals of Preservation Instructor since

3 Temperature & Humidity Storage & Exhibit Pests Mold Overview 3

4 Temperature & Humidity 4

5 Why is Temperature & Humidity Important? Contributes to the changes in the physical makeup of materials Heat accelerates deterioration High relative humidity moisture creates harmful chemical reactions in materials High humidity and low temperatures creates an environment for mold growth and insect activity Dramatic fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity creates problems Materials are continuously adapting to their environment through the absorption and release of moisture. Creates expanding and contracting Leads to issues including: cockling paper flaking ink warped covers on books cracked emulsion 5

6 Standards Temperature & Humidity National Information Standards Organization (NISO) report: Environmental Guidelines for the Storage of Paper Records Combined stack and user areas Temp.: 70 F %RH: 30% 50% Optimum preservation stacks Temp.: F %RH: 30-50% Maximum daily fluctuation Temp.: +/-2 F %RH: +/-3% Conservation Environment Guidelines for Libraries and Archives (1990) Ideal Environment for Libraries and Archives Temp.: F %RH: 40% 45% National Archives and Records Administration (NARA, 2002) Ideal Environment for Libraries and Archives Temp.: 65 F %RH: 35% 45% 6

7 Preventative Preservation Environmental Monitoring program Identify the types of items in your collections Work with your facilities personal to determine what your HVAC can do DO NOT make your HVAC system do something it wasn t designed to do Use data loggers or hygrothermographs Review and record the data Share the data with facilities 7

8 Storage & Exhibits 8

9 Problem Areas Lighting Fading Heat Pollutants Particulates abrasive attract pests and mold cause staining Gaseous pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and ozone) staining and discoloration accelerate Storage Acidic Off-gassing 9

10 Lighting Requirements Preventative Preservation Levels should be kept as low as possible - Turn off lights not in use UV component eliminated - UV filters on windows and lights Reading and Inspection Areas: lux Display: lux (lower is better); limited periods Storage Areas: lux Set a plan for page turning or item replacement during a long exhibit Low-budget solution Blinds! 10

11 Preventative Preservation Pollutants Particulate filtered debris through central systems create a regular schedule of replacing filters plan for routine housekeeping dusting and vacuuming protect items inside enclosures (cabinets, boxes, etc.) keep doors and windows closed Gaseous keep in mind everyday facility items that can off gas, including: building materials, furnishings, cleaning agents, and photocopiers (photocopiers generate ozone which can accelerate deterioration) Good air exchange with clean replacement air will help to reduce pollution levels. 11

12 Storage: Lignin-free Acid free Polypropylene or Mylar Preventative Preservation 12 just because something might say it s archival it still may not be acid free and/or lignin-free.

13 Integrated Pest Management 13

14 Typical kinds of pests: Beetles Cockroaches Silverfish Spiders Mice/Rats Squirrels Raccoons/Possums What Issues is a Pest? 14

15 Example Issues Pest 15 PESTS & INSECTS Silverfish Eat material high in protein, sugar, or starch, including cereals, moist wheat flour, starch in book bindings, sizing in paper, and paper on which there is glue or paste; may bite very small holes in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk, even though they cannot digest either linen or cotton.

16 Example Issues Pest 16 PESTS & INSECTS Cockroaches Eat almost anything including meats and grease, starchy foods, sweets, baked goods, leather, wallpaper paste, book bindings and sizing.

17 Identification Issues of Pest Activity 17

18 We Found Pests: What Do We Do? Damaged caused by insects is irreversible Ways of treating infestations Fumigation collections Oxygen deprivation or CO2 treatment Freezing Vacuuming Costs Time Staff Outside vendors Equipment 18

19 Integrate Pest Management (IPM) Program Education Preventative Measures Assess the building/facility 19 Assess new collections coming into the building Set and monitor traps Housekeeping Monitor food/drink

20 Mold 20

21 What is Mold? It s a fungi 10,000 species of fungi mildew mold mushrooms 21 Mold Is made up of spores Spores are airborne Can vary in color Active Mold Still growing environment (temp. and %RH ) is not stable Inactive mold environment is more stable.

22 Different types of materials absorb different amounts of water. What Causes Mold? 22 When different materials are exposed to the same environment, some develop mold and others do not. Lower temperature and higher humidity increases the chance of mold growth. Mold growth can start to occur hours in such conditions.

23 What Damage Does Mold Cause? Mold eats paper and other materials found in libraries and archives. Mold is attracted to cellulose, starch adhesives, and sizing. Mold excretes digestive enzymes that allow them to eat those materials. These enzymes can alter, weaken, and stain materials. Mold is also an issue for people. Allergies Asthma Respiratory problems Weak immune systems Skin and eye irritations 23

24 We Found Mold: What Do We Do? Check the environment. Temp & %RH Is moisture coming through somewhere? Is there a problem with the HVAC system? Modify the environment: 24 Stabilize temp. & %RH Temp: below 70 o F %RH: 55% or lower If needed, remove water and moisture. Increase air circulation and draw out moisture from the air. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves (preferable non-latex gloves) A protective mask (preferably a N95 or N100) Goggles

25 Preventative Measures Keep a stable environment 25 Create an Environmental Monitoring Plan Identify materials in collection and determine the best environment for those collections Use data loggers or hygrothermographs Record and save the data Report issues as soon as possible Assess New Materials If coming from a questionable location, quarantine collections Separate anything suspicious

26 Resources At Your Library Pass It On! Preservation Week Cornell Library Preservation and Conservation Image Permanence Institute Storage Guides National Park Service Conserve O Grams Northeast Document Center Preservation Leaflets University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign IPM Photo Reference 26

27 Questions 27 Julie Mosbo