The E-Sylum:  Volume 3, Number 26, June 25, 2000, Article 4

BOOK PRESERVATION 

   David Fanning writes: "Unless it's been discussed lately (and 
   I don't see that it has on the E-Sylum archives), I think it'd be 
   interesting to have a discussion within the E-Sylum on book 
   and catalogue preservation.  I think I read at some point in the 
   archives about Wayne Anderson cleaning and oiling books. 
   I'd like to have more info on that and also ask others to write in 
   about how they take care of their material. 

   The only items of value in my collection are mostly 19th-century 
   catalogues, which I keep in plastic bags made for comics with a 
   posterboard insert in it to guard against bumps.  This really helps 
   guard against humidity, which is a real problem in the summer here. 
   What do others do?" 

   Ben Keele posed a similar question in the February 27, 2000 
   issue:  "..how should I store my books and  magazines to ensure 
   that they are preserved in their present condition?"   George 
   Kolbe's advice for book storage was simple:  "cool, dark, dry 
   (but not too dry)." 

   One article I've since read makes George's recommendation 
   more specific:  temperatures 60-70 degrees F (15.5-21 C), 
   and relative humidity of 55%-65%.   Humidity can be 
   measured by a hygrometer, available in most hardware stores. 

   We didn't get much follow-up in The E-Sylum on the 
   preservation question, so it's high time to ask again.  Meanwhile, 
   here's one web page with a few tips, from the State Library of 
   Victoria, Australia: 

   http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/slv/conservation/conserve.htm 

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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