Please refer to previous posts for resources describing book structure. The most common binding types the preservation department deals with are the case binding, oversewing, sewing through the fold, perfect/double fan adhesive and magazine type bindings like saddle-stitching. These are considered "modern" binding styles. One difference from courses and on-site experience is that the fabric called spine-lining is also known as the "super". I did not realize that the fabric added to the top of the text block is called the headband, and on the opposite end it is called the tailband. Also, this preservation department uses a preformed spine piece to allow a pocket to form, instead of only gluing a board to the case.
The main environmental contributors to book deterioration are:
Temperature
Humidity
UV Rays/Lighting
Pests
Particulates
Kelvin Smith Library keeps the humidity of the building at 37-55, in order to accommodate all types of materials. The humidity can be no lower than 37 for vellum/leather binding. The study areas are normally kept at 68-70, while the stacks would normally be slightly lower. One resource to consult on these standards is the Conservation Environment Guidelines by William P Lull. Heat and humidity are the breeding ground for mold spores and chemical reactions in books. For instance, the image below shows mold spreading across the page, while the page itself is yellowing from the chemical reactions.
When considering how to address the lighting in the library, it is important to think of what is feasible or is allowed by existing warranties. There is glass and window film UV protection as an option, along with protective slips to go over bulbs. These options are the most effective way to block out the most harmful part of the light spectrum. I mentioned warranties before, because as it happens the Kelvin Smith Library is new enough that applying the film to the glass would break the warranty. In this sort of case, it is best to invest in curtains with stops. The fabric will prevent full light exposure, while also providing light for studying to a certain extent (stopper). It may be prudent to invest in a light meter to test the effectiveness of preventative measures already taken.
In order to remedy the problem of particulates, which can contain harmful chemicals, a staged filtration HVAC system is ideal. Kelvin Smith Library has such a system that measures the temperature and humidity in several zones. It also prevents mold spores, dust and soot, while testing for particulate and gas contamination (ex: sulfur dioxide or ozone). The system requires that the filters be replaced two to three times a year.
This seems a lot to ask of the library administration, but at some point the personal standards of the preservationist must be relaxed so that they see you as an ally working towards the same goal. In other words, research and be amiable and flexible.
One of the issues that preservationists have recently learned to bend to is food and drink in the library. Most people don't realize the immediate damage one insect can do to a volume or set of volumes. Sharlane showed me an example of a book eaten by a silverfish, and the lace-like patterns it left behind.
Bugs, I learned, are attracted to all parts of books, chewing their way through paper, cloth and glue. We will spend time identifying bugs. Some of the most common are dermestids (book worms), germastice (book lice), silverfish, and cockroaches. *All of which have been found in the library. One way to locate an infestation is watching for bug excrement (called frass) found under books. It is often the same shade as the paper of the book above it.
To prevent these sorts of incidents from occurring, Kelvin Smith Library has implemented Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM relies on the control of the temperature and humidity, policies, and building adjustments, such as having people survey the parameter of the building for holes that pests could enter through. Mice can get through the space of a dime and often nest in ivy. It is key to examine the doors, windows, and pipes without screens as points of entry. An important policy to enforce is one of cleanliness. This involves limiting food and drink areas and having a permanent maintenance staff. Some advisable cleaning materials are microfiber dusters and Hepa vacuums that have soft brushes for use around fragile materials. One of the policies that IPM employs is to inspect gift books for insects and mold, which can be spread to other materials.
When a pest problem already exists there are several ways of handling the situation. The infected area can be sealed off while introducing an extreme humidity low, which kills off bugs. Another option for bug removal is anoxia, or removing all the air from a certain area. Freezing individual items in freeze dry bags while the area is cleaned is also another great way of solving the problem. It is important to not introduce chemicals, because they are harmful to both materials and humans and tend to have a halflife.
To finish up the morning I unpacked the majority of a shipment of books from the commercial bindery, going a step further with the materials. This shipment had many items that needed to be separated out from the Periodicals. The items were going to a branch library, which requires slightly different processing. I matched up items with papers containing extra directions for how to complete processing before the materials return to the circulating collection. The majority of the items require a barcode reinserted along with any special flaps/features that add to the decorative or intrinsic value of the items. In the case of materials needing added to the book, the material was attached to the page with both being placed within the book for the preservation workers to finish. The papers may contain information to check to see if everything the item needed was included by the bindery, which could be checked against the slips that the bindery sends back with each item. If the material had no page, it required no additional attention and was separated out so that it could be processed quicker. Some things to check for when processing items is bubbles in the flexam covers or if the item needs a call number or barcode.
During the second portion of the day Sharlane paired me with the new intern student. We went through the remaining shipment boxes together, while I aided Sharlane in explaining the differences and protocols. When we finished packing the carts, we brought the materials in to complete the page-matching. To finish the process, each type of binding is counted up and checked against the order slip.
Next we examined a cart of damaged items from the circulation department. The circulation department notes damages (including dampness) with the date and initials in pencil by the barcode so that the patron checking out the item is not fined for previous damages. This allows the item to continue circulating. Some of the things to check for when examining an object is if there is a second copy or another addition in the collection. The second copy may be pulled for comparison of condition: Is the second copy in better condition? Does it have the original binding? Does the item also need repair? Should the older editions be withdrawn? It is also important to view the circulation history and how many copies of the item exist in OhioLINK (three or more is the cut off for Kelvin Smith Library). At this point, we discussed the possibility of creating an updated repair decisions chart as an extra project.
The rule of thumb when examining any damaged item is whether it can be fixed in-house by the newest student employee in an hour. If not, the item should be sent to the bindery. The furthest the department goes for non-special/decorative items is rebacking an item. If the item is going to be rebound/sent to the commercial bindery the end sheet with the barcode is taken out. Sharlane will give us a copy of the bindery contract to examine at a later point. The intent of the exercise was to learn to distinguish "doable in-house repairs" from materials that require more attention.
If an item from the year 1923 or earlier makes it to the preservation department, it is considered for digitization. (1910 and before are only handled in-house.) Some of these items may be brittle, and will come with a form describing the extent of the damage. This will include the last circulation as well as the total circulation record for the item. At this point the item is researched to see how many copies exist in the world and OhioLINK, and if there is the existence of a reprint. In some cases, the item's circulation policy is changed to local use only as another way to minimize the damaged incurred from shipping.
Side notes:
-The machine that makes covers is called a co libri machine.
-Coated paper covers are heavy because it is coated in clay. In cases where these or other heavy materials need attention, the bindery can sew in the end sheet (as opposed to gluing) in order to keep the book light weight.
-Some items have fake signatures, which have tabs of paper instead of thread gluing the spine together.
-It costs $11 for a hard-cover commercial binding, and $7 for a flexam cover.
The last task of the day was learning how to check and change the hygrothermographs with Ellie.
Run-down of how the machine works: The pen tips attached to the metal bars you see above are set to the current temperature and humidity of the room it will be measuring. The temperature reading is on the top, while the humidity reading is on the bottom. There are human hairs, which are notorious for being hygroscopic, on the other end of the bars. When the hair expands or contracts, it moves the bar-moving the pen tip across the graph paper. These can be set to measure different amounts of time, such as a month. For our use, it will be measured weekly.
The first thing to do is remove the original paper with a week's worth of readings from the cylinder. (Make sure to clip back the pen piece.) Then the current temperature and humidity is checked using a psychro dyne. First, check the lower thermometer for the room temperature. A piece of fabric surrounds the ends of the thermometers, which must be wet until completely saturated. The machine is then turned on, which activates a fan that blows air in the direction of the thermometer ends. When the temperature settles, record that reading. The difference of the two is needed to find the humidity level.
The psychro dyne machine comes with a chart that has the room temperature on the side of the graph, while the number it increases by at the top of the graph. Follow those two together, and it will say what the humidity was for the day. For instance, the room temperature was 74 degrees (Fahrenheit), while the psychrodyne leveled out at 61 degrees. This leaves a difference of 13 degrees which ends up being 47% relative humidity on the chart. The results are recorded at the end of the previous readings and the top of the blank sheet along with the date. The new sheet is then put back on the cylinder with the end of the page overlapping the beginning (in case readings run over). The machine is then calibrated to the current temperature and humidity, using knobs to move the pen bars. The case is shut, and the machine is put back in place with the psychro dyne. It is ideal to place about mid-level in within the shelving to get an accurate reading.
We changed two of the four machines, ending the day at 4:40pm.
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