abs@rdin.UUCP (Andrew Siegel) (07/06/84)
Does anyone have any information on how to go about preserving/archiving paperback books? The great majority of my library is soft-bound, and over the years I've been growing more and more concerned as to how long I can go on reading them before they fall apart. Although I am always careful to avoid creasing the bindings, I can't stop the pages of many of them from turning brown and brittle around the edges. I believe that this may be unavoidable, but perhaps someone out there has dealt with the problem before. I suppose the solution for the long run would be to buy hard-cover books, but my budget just can't support that. What types of books do most of you out there purchase? Thanks. Andrew Siegel Resource Dynamics, Inc. philabs!rdin!abs
andyb@dartvax.UUCP (Andy Behrens) (07/10/84)
There's not much you can do. The real problem is that most paperbacks,
like newspapers, are printed on cheap (= high-acid-content) paper. It is
the acid in the paper that causes the disintegration. Exposure to sunlight
or fluorescent light will accelerate the process.
If you have a book that you just must preserve, you can slice off the old
binding, chemically de-acidify the pages, and rebind the book. It's a
lot of work.
Andy Behrens
UUCP: {astrovax,dalcs,decvax,cornell,linus}!dartvax!andyb
CSNET: andyb@dartmouthgordon@uw-june (Gordon Davisson) (07/13/84)
There could be an easier way. Years ago I collected old comic
books, and this problem was common in the comic-collecting
world. You could buy special paper such that, when a sheet was
placed between the pages, it would neutralize or eliminate the
acid. Sorry I don't have any more details, but if you go to a
local comic-book store they should be able to tell you all you
need to know.
Human: Jamie Green @ Gordon's Account
UUCP: {ihnp4,decvax,tektronix}!uw-beaver!uw-june!gordon
ARPA: gordon@uw-june
Gordon hates flames, so send 'em in!