Paper Deacidification Service Center
Even the smallest library needs to plan for preservation of their collection
for long term use. All materials have a limited life span, but books and
other paper formats published after 1860 are especially vulnerable to
becoming acidic and embrittled, eventually crumbling to dust. Methods
available for the preservation of paper include photocopying on alkaline
paper and deacidification.
What is Deacidification?
The Wei T'o deacidification
process includes the application of a magnesium compound to paper leaving
a buffer to prevent any further acidification. Although pH of the paper
is changed from acidic to alkaline, and the expected paper life span extended
by much as 200 to 400 years, the deacidification process does not reverse
any damage that has already occurred.
In 1989 the Colorado State University Libraries received a Libraries Services and Construction Act (LSCA) to make the Wei T'o Soft Spray Deacidification system available to Colorado libraries and other individuals and organizations. Since that time, the center has treated books, letters, newspapers, scrapbooks, and archival materials from around the Rocky Mountain Region.
Costs for Services
Charges for the paper deacidification service are on a cost recovery basis
and are derived only from the cost of the
Wei T'o materials used and the
labor involved; a university 18% surcharge is added to the total page
charge.
The cost of processing paper materials is on a sliding scale according to the square measurement of the page. In estimating the total cost of deacidifying an item, the number of pages needs to be determined with each side of a sheet of paper being counted as one page. Also all pages of a book have to be treated whether or not the page has printing; for example, the first plain pages of the book, the title page, the introduction, etc., the text, and the plain pages at the end of the volume.
Procedures for Transport of Materials
to and from Service Center
Transportation of materials to Colorado State University Libraries can
be by direct deliver, the U.S. Mail, United Parcel Service or commercial
carrier service, or the Colorado courier route. All shipping and insurance
costs are the responsibility of the owner.
It is very important that all materials be properly packaged for shipment to minimize the potential for damage to the materials. Suggestions for packaging procedures are as follows:
- Preferred packaging consists of wrapping the volume in bubble wrap and placing it in a sturdy cardboard carton for shipping.
- If padded mailing bags are used, the volume should first be wrapped in bubble wrap or protected by a custom-cut piece of cardboard. These supports should be provided for both padded bags and bubble-wrap-lined bags.
- DO NOT USE styrofoam bits or "peanuts" since they allow for movement within a carton and themselves cause damage.
- Large or heavy volumes may require extra protection at the corners and heavier packing materials.
Other Procedures
All collections of materials sent for processing must contain two (2)
inventory lists of materials; one for the Service Center files, and one
to keep with the materials while they are being processed. Each item should
be listed by the author/title or a description of the item and give the
type of material, i.e., book, single sheet of paper or newspaper, the
total number of pages, and the height and width of the item in inches
and the total square inches. Sample inventory items:
- Gray, Zane, Man of the forest. Book, 8.5" x 5.5" (47 sq. inches), 327 total pages
- Diary with green cover, Book, 10" x 6" (60 sq. inches), 50 total pages
- Marriage certificate for J. Doe, Single sheet of paper, 11" x 8.5", (94 sq. inches), 2 total pages
- Centennial issue of the Forest City Daily Post, Newspaper, 24" x 14", (336 sq. inches), 20 pages