Library material are collections of inestimable value; but subject to deterioration. The meaning of deterioration, its causes and prevention would help you keep the collection of your library in good condition for a long time. Read up to know these.
2. What is deterioration?
A change of original state of any material by
interaction between the object and the factors of
destruction.
The process of becoming worse.
All organic materials, including library materials,
are subject to deterioration.
The composition of library materials, their
manufacturing processes, and the adhesives used
in the binding of these materials affect their rate
of deterioration.
3. Major Causes of Deterioration of
Library Materials
Environmental Factors
Biological Factors
Chemical Factors
Human Factors
Disasters
7. Human Factors:
casual attitude of :
library staff; as well as the
library users’ towards books as physical
objects.
Improper storage
Faulty repair
Rough handling
Deliberate abuse
Folding the fore-edges of pages as a mark of reading
Marking by ball pen,
Mutilation,
Vandalism
9. Importance of Preservation and
Conservation
The processes of preservation, conservation and restoration are
applied to safeguard the library materials from further decay
and deterioration.
There are two aspects of preservation of library materials:
i. the preventive measures which includes all forms of
indirect actions aimed at increasing the life expectancy of
undamaged or damaged
ii. the Curative measures consists of all forms of direct
actions aimed at increasing the life expectancy of undamaged
or damaged elements of cultural property. It includes repairing,
mending, fumigation, deacidification, lamination, and other
jobs which are required considering the physical condition of
the individual document
10. Preventive Measures for:
1. environmental factors
maintain ideal room temperature (200-250c) and relative
humidity of (RH45- 55%)
Prevented sunlight from falling directly on papers
use of de-hydrating agents like silica gel to minimize
humidity.
use vacuum cleaner to sucks the dust
2. biological factors
Avoid contact of book racks with walls (at least 15 cm
away from the walls)
11. Preventive Measures Cont
Periodic use of insecticidal powder is a good
precautionary measure to preventing insects.
Attend to cracks, crevices and loose joints in floors and
walls to eliminate the possibility of insect hiding in these
places
Foundation of new library buildings should be given anti-
insect treatment
Disallow presence of edibles inside the library
12. Preventive Measures Cont
3. chemical factors
use vacuum cleaner and fine brushes for dusting of
shelves and books.
No chemical formulations should be directly applied to
the book or book cover.
uncoated wooden storage should be avoided as it gives
off volatile acidic vapors.
4. human factors
Avoid licking of fingers as an aid to turn pages.
13. Preventive Measures Cont
Underlining must be avoided.
Books should not be left open on the reading table, face
downwards.
Leaning on an open book should be avoided since this can
damage the spine and binding.
Never allow a book to stand on its fore edge
5. disasters
Identify a external and internal threats that might cause
problems for the collection.
Strategize measures to meet those threats.
Have crisis management plan
14. Conclusion
Preventive conservation plays a key role in preserving
library collection. Every library should, therefore,
practice preventive conservation to keep the documents in
healthy, good, and usable condition.
