Jenny studied in New Haven with me at the Yale University Library Conservation Studio. Mertz Library of the New York Botanical Garden, both current staff and dear friends and colleagues who have retired.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Temperature and Humidity 2
Without a good environment, books, documents, photographs and all other materials will become dirty, faded, mouldy, brittle or infested with pests and generally deteriorate or even be destroyed. At the beginning of section 6 there is a discussion of environmental conditions suitable for exhibitions of books, documents and art on paper.).
Temperature and Humidity
ENVIRONMENT
Conversely, when the air cools and the temperature drops, the air can hold less moisture and RH increases. When the heat is raised and lowered daily, or the air conditioner is turned up and down, the change in temperature causes the relative humidity in the building to change each time.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Because it then has less moisture than it can hold, the air begins to pick up moisture from materials such as paper, leather, wood, photographs, and textiles, which are hygroscopic (that is, they absorb, store, and hold easily and give up moisture). It's a good idea to have an inspection and maintenance schedule that covers every area of the building from the roof down.
Coping with Old HVAC Systems
Fluctuations within a 24-hour period should be very small, and the change from one month to the next no more than 5%. We would add to this, from experience working in libraries and archives, that 60% RH in summer can allow mold growth in materials that have dormant spores.
Cold Storage
Monitoring Environmental Conditions
Loggers can be set to take readings at specified intervals; some instruments have a window that also provides current readings. Software is included so they can be connected to a personal computer and downloaded at regular intervals.
Light
Titanium dioxide pigmented paint or paint-coated ceiling tiles will also help reduce UV radiation from fluorescent tubes, sometimes by up to 90%, depending on the lighting design. A professional photographer can print a document in full size; this can provide extremely accurate reproduction as well as a copy negative for other future uses.
Maintenance and Housekeeping
If a library or archive chooses to display original material, follow the guidelines in section 6 regarding temperature and humidity, light levels, and framing and mounting methods. The surest way to protect light-sensitive material is to enclose it in suitable archival containers.
Basic Rules for Using Research Materials
EDUCATION
Staff Training
Patron Education
Although this book is not primarily concerned with disaster planning, a few aspects of the subject will be briefly discussed. When a major disaster occurs, the number one priority is to get everyone out of the building and account for every person.
Evacuation of Patrons and Staff
Making emergency response plans is preservation at its most basic level, but it is often overlooked in favor of the day-to-day activities of a library or archive.
Contingency Arrangements during an Emergency
Collection Priorities
General Assessment or Survey
DISASTER PLANNING AND RESPONSE
A permanent staff member, who is part of the disaster planning team, should meet and collaborate regularly with this consultant. The more involved the regular staff can be in the survey, the more they will learn from the consultant and the more pertinent the report will be.
Compile a Disaster Plan
This form can be included in the written plan; multiple copies may be printed and posted near the evacuation instructions and at the entrance to all collection areas. Arrange for off-site locations where materials can be taken while the building is being restored.
Construction and Renovations
Cut money into appropriate sizes, refold and label bundles so they can be taken to the right areas immediately. The disaster plan should be distributed to all departments in the facility, fire and police personnel, and others who have agreed to assist in an emergency, such as volunteers and staff of nearby institutions.
FIRE
WATER
Water from above
Water from below
To separate the construction site from the rest of the building, a temporary wall can be placed, preferably made of fire-resistant material. Temperature and humidity will be much harder to control with part of the building open.
Water Emergencies
When choosing a storage location, consider the physical condition of the collection and the type of environmental conditions it will experience. Discuss this issue with the structural engineer and emphasize the importance of stable conditions for the continued survival of the assembly.
The Importance of Quick Action
Plumbing ducts should be sealed or reconfigured so that construction dust does not penetrate the rest of the building. This may be in another part of the building, in the space of a sister institution, or in an off-site commercial warehouse.
Failure of HVAC System
Sometimes it will affect a large part of the library; other times it will appear in pockets. Since HVAC system failure is another situation that requires a quick response, we treat it as a disaster.
Mold
The vacuuming can be done as the books are removed from the shelf or in the area where the major cleaning will be done, depending on conditions. Note: In the United States, there are numerous regulations regarding which products can be used in different circumstances.
Disaster Recovery
Referrals can be obtained from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (see Appendix C). Some books can be wrapped in plastic bags and frozen on the spot; larger numbers will need to be sent to a commercial salvage company.
Storage Furniture
While safe environmental conditions protect against chemical attack, good storage practices protect against light and dust, keep fragile materials intact and prevent materials from deforming.
STORAGE METHODS
If the shelves slide forward, pull them out so that there is room behind the shelves for air to circulate from top to bottom of the cabinet. The mechanism that moves the shelves can be powered by electricity or hand cranked.
Book Storage in Libraries
There is no fixed formula for how big a bookend should be in relation to the size of the book. Other adjustable bookends are clipped to the front of the shelf on which the books rest.
Book Storage in Archives
When the shelf is pulled out, the book can be removed by lifting it straight up instead of pushing it off as is the case with stationary shelves. Whether large books are stored vertically or flat, provide a surface nearby where the book can be picked up and examined.
Document Storage
For safety, it is best not to store heavy or large books more than five feet above the floor. If there are no tables or shelves for this purpose, take a book trolley with flat shelves to the stacks and use it to rest the book or books as soon as they come off the shelf.
Storage of Larger Items
Roll Storage
For additional support, large documents can be rolled around a rigid core first and then placed in a storage tube (Fig. 1-18). Very crisp cards or plans can be interlaced with acid-free tissue or bond paper.
Framed Art Storage
Plans and other large format architectural plans can be stored in roll storage boxes or tubes with opaque end caps to prevent light from entering. Frames on racks can be covered with large sheets of wrapping paper or cotton cloth to keep out dust and light.
Off-Site Storage Spaces
Metal grid panels are suspended from parallel tracks on the ceiling, and frames of any size can be hung from hooks. Some alarms can be attached to the water supply itself and can stop the flow of water when they detect a leak.
Attics, Barns, and Other Unheated Spaces
It is always a good rule of thumb to never store anything directly on the floor, even temporarily, on any level of a building. Even if a deep flood is unlikely, a small leak is always a possibility, and water tends to run along the floor until it finds a drain or is stopped by an absorbent material such as a box of books.
SUMMARY OF BASIC PRESERVATION MEASURES
Procedures to Avoid
On the other hand, a loose hinge can be repaired in just a few minutes when first noticed, but if left untreated can lead to a broken connection and a major repair. See “Consolidation of skin rot (red rot)” in section 5, p. Many old and rare materials are fragile or have delicate components.
Work Flow Charts
Cutters 36
Before setting up your workspace, try visiting the conservation departments or conservation labs at institutions similar to yours and talk to the staff. Even the smartest labs have aspects that did not work as expected, especially if staff were unable to make the final design decisions.
Dedicated Space
SETTING UP A WORK AREA FOR PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES
Alternatively, you can use other smooth, firm tops, especially if they are already installed. Chairs or stools on wheels can be easily moved and are convenient for the user.
Lighting and Environment
Storage
One option is to keep tools and materials in one or more tool boxes, milk crates, or other sturdy containers. A closet or cabinet can be used to store equipment and supplies between uses, as well as books or other materials that need work or are in progress.
Office Area
When, for example, a low-quality workbench is installed, it will be much more difficult to get funds for a better one.
Cutters
EQUIPMENT
To prevent the counterweight from accidentally coming off, a small bolt and nut can be installed through a hole found at the end of the rod. The larger tabletop models (fig. 2-5) can be used to cut all materials from paper to medium weight binder board.
Presses
The following rows are designed to hold books perpendicular to the work surface so you can work on the spine. These small, lightweight presses are extremely convenient to use and can be stored upright when needed.
Boards, Pressing Boards
The article to be pressed is placed between blotters inserted between the boards of the binder, and the entire assembly is placed in the press. When pressing books in a press, protect edges that are not next to a book with plywood or masonite boards so that the edges do not touch the board or the bottom of the press.
Hand Tools
Measuring
WORKING TIPS
Push the backstop (gauge on the blade bearing) towards the left side of the cutter and lock it into place. Release the clamp and raise the blade; remove the original object from the blade bed.
Grain Direction
Manufacturers often mark the grain direction on the packaging of their papers by underlining one of the numbers indicating the size of the paper. The fabric grain is along the length of the bolt, parallel to the edge.
Cutting and Trimming
Unroll the cloth or paper so that a little more than you need is lying flat on the counter. Bring the crumpled material to the edge of the counter to make room for your knuckles.
Scoring and Folding
Continue to press the leg folder against the straight line along the entire length of the dash line (fig. 2-44). Mark the line or lines to be printed on the paper or board and place it against the lower guide of the cutter.
Using Adhesives
General Working Tips
Rehousing Library and Archival Materials' covers the concept of protecting a collection by placing materials in boxes, binders or other containers and discusses some preliminary steps. The word "rehousing" is used here to denote the process of placing library and archival materials in new enclosures or storage units.
Determining What Materials Need Rehousing
The term does not imply that the materials are moved to another building (although rehousing often occurs in connection with the relocation of collections). Rehousing can be a big task, requiring extra supplies and labor and often extra shelving or storage space.
Preliminary Stages
We've heard the term when old boxes and folders are replaced, or when books and documents are put away in their enclosures for the first time.
REHOUSING LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE MATERIALS
It's a somewhat confusing term, but it's been in use since the 1990s and seems to be established usage, at least in North America and Australia. More than one type can be ordered to meet particular problems, but it will be easier for patrons and staff to use the collection if a consistent system is maintained.
Counting; Ordering Supplies
Cleaning Materials
Enclosures
STORAGE CONTAINERS (PRESERVATION ENCLOSURES)
Clamshell boxes can be stored vertically or flat and used for books or collections of documents, prints or photographs. They can be considered temporary protection until the book can be preserved or a better box made.
Archival? Acid-Free?
It takes too long to get a reading on the indicator strips to be useful for routine testing of new materials. When choosing materials to use for home repairs or renovations, make a small mark on the new material with a pH pen.
Testing New and Old Folders and Boxes with a pH Pen
Place an indicator strip on the moistened area, then place a swab and a weight over it. On the other hand, acidic content, such as newsprint, leather bindings, and certain types of photographic materials, can cause acid-free or buffered wrappers to become acidic.
Selecting and Adapting Ready-Made Products
However, buffered casings will remain acid-free much longer than neutral ones and will not need to be replaced as soon. In the past, curators were advised to use only neutral pH wrappers for certain photographic materials.
Scrapbooks and Albums
HANDLING CERTAIN TYPES OF MATERIALS
However, it is easy to write identifying information on paper with a pencil before inserting the print. On the other hand, plastic enclosures trap harmful gases produced by some deteriorating materials and this speeds up the process.
Maps, Posters, Architectural Photoreproductions
A more fragile item should be wrapped around an acid-free core slightly longer than the item to protect the rolled edges and then wrapped with acid-free wrapping paper or polyester film before placing in a tube or box. Very large and large sets of planes that are rarely used can be rolled around an acid-free core and then wrapped with strong acid-free paper.
Map Folders
MAKING SIMPLE ENCLOSURES
Fold the tape or book cloth over the other panel and mark where the edge of the tape should go. Place clean scrap paper or a beer can over the tape and rub it with a bone paste.
Self-Closing Wrappers: Protection for Books
H O R I Z O N NUMBER PIECE Place the book, wrapped in the vertical piece, on the board, this time with the grain parallel to the spine of the book (Fig. 3-15). Place the book, wrapped in the vertical piece, on the board, this time with the grain parallel to the spine of the book.
Barrier Sheets; Interleaving
Place the book in the wrapper, close it, and insert your tongue into the slit. This ensures that the wrapper does not open when inserted between the books on the shelf.
Polyester Encapsulation
If the advantages of polyester outweigh the disadvantages, insert a sheet of buffer paper behind the item to be encased or in the sleeve. Cuffs can also be made from other plastics, but they cannot be sealed in the same way as polyester.
Polyester Dust Jackets
If desired, you can put a short strip of double-coated tape on the inside of the book jacket. Remove the paper backing from the tape to attach the flaps to the inside of the book cover (Fig. 3-28).
75Section 1
In the eighth century, Arabs learned of it from the Chinese and its use gradually spread to the West through the trade routes. The word "paper" comes from "papyrus," the writing material of the ancient Egyptians and other Mediterranean peoples.
Characteristics of Western Papers
According to paper historian Dard Hunter, paper began to be used in Italy, France and Germany in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and arrived in the Netherlands and England in the early fourteenth century. In the nineteenth century, the demand for paper in Europe and America became so great that there were not enough rags available to make pulp in the traditional way.
OVERVIEW OF WESTERN AND JAPANESE PAPER
By the early nineteenth century, Europe had been using both woven and laid paper for several decades, often in the same book. It is sometimes referred to as the "machine direction". Paper has much more strength in the grain direction.
Characteristics of Japanese Papers
Thus, the presence of these patterns on Western paper is not necessarily an indication that the paper is handmade. paper, but it is easier to tear Japanese paper in the grain direction. The grain of these roll papers is in the machine direction, the same as Western papers.
Testing Paper for Grain Direction
Testing pH
Although the material may have been acid-free when purchased, it may have become acidified during storage due to exposure to environmental pollutants. This book does not cover any type of photo processing because this is a separate area of paper conservation that requires special training and equipment.
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR PAPER REPAIRS
A small mark is placed on the material to be tested; if the material is neutral or buffered, the highlight changes from yellow to magenta (or from green to blue, depending on the chemical indicator in the pen). For the treatment or repair of photos, consult a restorer specialized in this.
Repair Papers
If you find old repair papers or plates that have been in storage for several years, test them before using.
Adhesives
If the paste is too thick, add a few drops of water to reach the desired consistency. If the paste separates immediately, it will not be sticky enough to make paper repairs.
Equipment
If you only occasionally need a slow-drying glue that can be turned around easily, it will probably be more efficient to have a supply of methylcellulose on hand. Whatever type of brushes you choose, keep them clean and only use them for paste.
Other Supplies
Thick methyl cellulose can be used to restore paper with Japanese tissue and to clean the spines of books. Some items can be purchased from the suppliers listed in Annex B; others come from art stock, building stock, or hardware stores.
TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING PAPER
They can be purchased from suppliers, but many objects can be used as weights, for example, small boxes or film canisters filled with sand or lead (or a combination of both). The old type of lead can be tied or glued together and wrapped in heavy paper, or placed in small boxes.
Preparing Materials
This makes the surface of the paper uneven and can cause damage as the eraser goes over the clumps. If there are areas of the flattened documents that might be sticky at all, place a smooth, wrinkle-free piece of polyester tissue between the object and the blotter.
Picking Up and Moving Large Flat Items
This can be reduced by applying it sparingly so that not much seeps under the paper. All of the repairs described below can be done with either paste or methylcellulose.
Tearing Japanese Paper
For a small facility that repairs paper only occasionally, a short shelf life can be a disadvantage. This glue doesn't have as strong a hold as paste, but it's perfectly adequate for most routine repairs.
PAPER REPAIR TECHNIQUES
The best, most long-lasting paper repairs are made with Japanese paper and wheat or rice starch paste. Repairs made with methylcellulose sometimes have a slightly shinier appearance, especially around the edges of the repair.
Undoing (Reversing) Repairs Made with Paste or Methylcellulose
Mending Edge Tears
If the overlapping surfaces are wide, this may be sufficient; for added strength, complete the repair with Japanese weave as described below. Place a piece of polyester webbing over the repaired tear, then a piece of gauze on top.
Repairing Holes and Missing Corners
If the repair seems flimsy, repeat the process on the other side of the document. Place a piece of Japanese paper over the loss and draw the outline of the area where.
Attaching Hinges to Pages
Tear a strip of recovery paper about 1/2 inch wide slightly longer than the height of the page to be hinged. Push the tips of the leaves against the mold and adjust the space between them.
Mending Torn Pages in Books
This two-page section can be "tilted" directly into the gutter of a book, as described in "Inserting Protected Sheets" in Section 5, p. Tipping is a term used for attaching one or more pages to a book without the use of an additional hinge.
Mending Tears in Foldout Maps
Book Handling Techniques” provides tips for cleaning, moving, packing and opening books, as proper handling of books is an important aspect of preventive conservation. Supplies and Equipment Required for Book Repairs” describes the tools and supplies needed to set up a workspace.
Parts of a Book
BRIEF REVIEW OF BOOKBINDING STRUCTURE AND TERMINOLOGY
Originally, headbands were part of the structure of the book, serving to anchor the plates to the text block. After the pages are sewn, the back of the text block is rounded and backed.
TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING BOOKS
This results in a hollow spine (see fig. 5-9), in contrast to the stiff spine of earlier when the covering material was glued directly to the back of the sewn signatures. Most books made from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day have hollow spines and case bindings of some kind.
Removing a Book from the Shelf
Call Number Flags
Opening a Book
Supporting Fragile Books
Packing and Moving Books
The books should be flat, but they can stand on the shelves of the truck or on the back. Sloped shelf trucks are a little better for moving smaller books because they hold the books a little more securely.
SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR BOOK REPAIRS
But larger books that would protrude from this type of truck must be moved on flatbed trucks. It is almost impossible to remove tape and its residue from worn leather or fragile fabrics.
Cloth
The grain of the fabric runs parallel to the edge, in the direction of the warp thread. The fabric should be cut so that the grain is parallel to the spine of the book.
Western and Japanese Papers
The other way to turn a cloth into a book cloth is to laminate thin paper on the back. In addition to preventing the adhesive from staining the surface of the cloth, both of these methods make the cloth dimensionally stable.
Boards
In general, very thin fabrics are likely to stretch more, and some require a practiced hand to place them on a cover before bending. As with anything new, apply the glue to a piece of cloth to see how it reacts before starting a project.
Thread
They eventually get cut marks, but can often be replaced as they are quite inexpensive. They are sold by preservation suppliers, but other heavy objects can also be used.
BOOK REPAIR TECHNIQUES
Wax paper is used for moisture and adhesive barriers and for wrapping text blocks. Small weights can be made by putting lead shot and sand in film containers or small boxes, which are then wrapped in paper.
Simple Repairs between the Covers
Line up the edges of the moisture barrier and waste paper with the edge of the leaf so the hinge is not covered. Make sure the top and bottom of the pages are aligned with the text block.
Simple Repairs to the Case
Rub lightly with your fingertips to transfer the adhesive to the back of the cloth or paper. Insert the flap into the spinal cavity with the tip of a bone file (fig. 5-89).
Repairs to the Text Block and the Case
Apply a thin layer of mixture on the inside of the cabinet, only on the area of the spine and joints. Place the new spine on the tube, aligning the spine with the edges of the tube on both sides.
Pamphlets
Make sure the spine of the pamphlet is positioned exactly on the fold of the binder's fabric spine. Three-hole piercing jig. Cut a strip of paper at the height of the leaflet and fold it in half.
Children’s Books
This is especially true when some of the materials are borrowed from other institutions or from private owners. Closing the Show' covers some of the details that require attention when the show ends.
Environment in the Gallery
However, the physical security of the materials must be considered from the outset. Some aspects of a display, such as the size and shape of the gallery, are more or less predefined.
DESIGNING THE EXHIBITION WITH CONSERVATION IN MIND
The amount of light and the shape of the beam can be easily adjusted to the right levels. Indirect lighting in the room (lamps aimed at the ceiling or behind window frames) is also helpful.
Length of the Exhibition
Security
Insurance
Lending and Borrowing
Once your institution decides to proceed with the loan, a loan agreement must be drawn up. When the materials are returned, prepare another condition report and compare it to the pre-show report and photos.
Condition Reports
If you are the borrower, be prepared to satisfy the owner about the details of the planned exhibition. Never make repairs to a loaned object, no matter how small, without written permission from the owner.
CONDITION REPORT
INCOMING (Circle one) OUTGOING
Books
Then, when the light is turned off, the air in the cabinet will gradually cool. When the relative humidity in the gallery cannot be kept within the safe range, silica gel can be used to modify the RH in the enclosure.
MOUNTING AN EXHIBITION
The relative humidity will be in the area of the square that best matches the color of the border. Then the entire panel can be attached to the side or back of the case.
Use Facsimiles Whenever Possible
A skilled photographer can produce a very satisfactory full size (or other specified size) color facsimile, which can be exhibited for as long as desired. The facsimile can be dry mounted on foam or mat board, framed or otherwise treated to coordinate with the rest of the exhibits.
Rotating Exhibits
If your administration or board really wants to show a highly sensitive original, perhaps it can be exposed during the opening or during another important function. For additional protection, a sheet of UV filtering polyester film can be placed over a print or photograph if it is flat on a shelf, or placed behind a window mat if the print is displayed vertically.
Relaxing Rolled Materials
If there is a small inscription on the back of a large document, the photographer can photograph only that area. The negative and proof sheets must be stored separately from the original photo sheets or envelopes.
Handling Large Materials
Make sure the light falling on the object is below 15 foot-candles (use the light meter) and dim or support the object appropriately.
Folded Documents
MOUNTING, HINGING, MATTING, FRAMING
Window Mats
Place the tape near the top edge of the blank mat, lining up its center with the dot on the back of the board. Mark the width of the window on each side of the blank, both top and bottom (Figure 6-5).
Mounting Artwork or Documents
Place the hinge on an adhesive blotter or paper and apply a thin layer of paste to the end of the hinge. Place it over the part of the hinge that extends from the artwork and attach it to the backing plate (Figure 6-14).
Framing
Always use a mat that is deep enough to keep the emulsion well away from the frame polish. They are sold as a set of four clips to fasten together on the back of matted art.
PREPARING BOOKS FOR EXHIBITION
On the other hand, a book with a beautiful, intact binding may be difficult to open more than 45° and will require much more preparation before it can be displayed without damage. A variety of wedges and supports can be made at home, with simple tools and materials.
Simplest Supports
It is important to remember that the cover of a book bends on its hinge every time the book is opened. This is one of the areas of the binding most likely to weaken with use, and care is often required to prevent the cover from coming off during preparation.
Book Wedges
Measure the distance between the top of the counter and the front edge of the front cover. Measure the distance between the top of the counter and the front edge of the front cover (Fig. 6).
Polyester-Film Book Supports
Measure the height of the front edge of the front board from the table and make a corresponding "mountain fold" in the polyester film (EE'). This greatly contributes to the cradle's strength and stability and is not visually intrusive.
Preventing Distortion
