Water is the most common cause of damage to library materials. When water damage occurs, rapid response is essential to effectively recover collections. Wet materials begin distorting immediately and are at risk of mold growth. The first steps are to remove standing water, assess damage, and freeze or air dry wet items. Very wet materials should be frozen within 6-8 hours to prevent mold. Partially wet items can be air dried or interleaved with blotting materials. Proper preparation includes assigning responders, prioritizing collections, and having disaster response kits prepared.

1. Disaster Response 101:Recovering water-damaged collections A brief overview of Cause, Response, and Preparation May Day 2010

2. Cause Water is the most common cause of damage to library materials. Sources can range from roof leaks, burst pipes, fire suppression, and flooding.

3. Response Rapid response is essential for an effective recovery effort.

4. Effects of water damage Paper-based collections begin to distort physically immediately after becoming wet. Books swell; paper cockles; inks and pigments run; coated papers begin to adhere to one another.

5. Effects of Water Damage In addition, there is a risk of a mold outbreak. Once established, mold is extremely difficult to control and eradicate.

6. First steps In the event of a water-related emergency : Remove standing water Assess/survey damage Freeze or air dry wet materials Identify shelf location when removing items

7. For transport, place wet books separated by freezer paper spine down in uncovered plastic crates - so not to tear out covers when wet.

8. Prevention If leaks from above are detected, place plastic sheeting over affected stack areas.

9. Stages of Wetness Soaked Partially wet or damp Humid

10. Drying Methods Freezing Stabilizing to prevent mold growth & provide time to determine a course of action *Freezer located in Book Conservation Lab, Pennsy Air drying Interleaving blotters between pages or fanning open with circulating air Dehumidification Maintaining an environment 30-50% relative humidity

11. Care should be taken when handling wet materials as paper becomes extremely fragile and can suffer further damage

14. Air Drying Keep air moving!

15. Partially wet/Damp materials If coated papers are separable, interleave with silicone release paper or remay. Oversize books must lie flat—interleave pages with blotter. Change blotter often, as needed.

16. Materials affected by high humidity Relocate affected collections to a more stable environment Install dehumidifiers in collections area Stable environmental conditions: 55-70 degrees (F) 30%-50% relative humidity

17. Preparation Assign responders to emergencies Prioritize collections : Value Essential records Stability Identify supplies contained in your disaster response kits

18. Disaster Response Kits

20. Plastic wrap

22. Dustmask

24. Contacts For more information or in an emergency: Preservation Services Department Pennsy Drive Vanessa Smith 301-238-2089 Phuong Pham 301-238-2091

25. Resources Disaster preparedness and response –American Institute for Conservation http://www.conservationus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=596 Mid-Atlantic Resource Guide for Disaster Preparedness http://www.ccaha.org/publications/technical-bulletins Emergency Planning – National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/primer/primintro.html Preservation Leaflets: Emergency Management http://nedcc.org/resources/leaflets/3Emergency_Management/06SalvageWetBooks.php Smithsonian Institution Staff Disaster Preparedness Procedures http://www.archives.gov/preservation/emergency-prep/disaster-prep-procedures.html

26. Contributors Vanessa Smith, Preservation Services Phuong Pham, Preservation Services Sharon Layne, Preservation Services AndraRisch, Volunteer James Cullen, Volunteer