ALL libraries (COBIB.SI union bibliographic/catalogue database)
  • Masovno razkislinjenje arhivskih izvodov Narodne in univerzitetne knjižnice [Elektronski vir]
    Malešič, Jasna ; Poličnik-Čermelj, Tereza ; Sešek, Irena
    Before the mid-19th century, western paper was made from cotton, linen and hemp clothing rags by a process that largely preserved the long fibres of the raw material. In the 19th century, the ... industrial process, introducing wood pulp as the raw material and alum rosin as sizing agent instead of traditional gelatine sizing, has replaced the traditional method of paper manufacturing. The changes resulted in the reduction of the pH of the paper, leading to a chemical breakdown of cellulose fibres, which resulted in a massive decay of library and archival holdings. The survey of monographs in the National and University Library, performed in 2006 during the 6th Framework Programme EU project PaperTreat, revealed the dramatic condition of the collection. In the collection of approximately 125.000 books, produced between 1850 and 1990, approximately one third of the books were already in a severe state of degradation. The longevity of library materials on acidic paper can be increased by storage at lower temperatures and deacidification of books. The term deacidification denotes the treating of a paper-based object to neutralise its acid content with the objective to prolong the object%s useful life. In order to treat several books/papers at the same time, mass deacidification procedures are usually employed. In 2013, a mass deacidification programme was introduced in the Library. The primary focus was on selection of archival copies of the printed monograph collection of %slovenica%, with the date of publication from the middle of the 19th century onwards. The National and University Library was officially established in 1945 and then a decree was issued that provided the collection of two legal deposit copies delivered by the Slovenian printers. Library users do not use the archival copies in libraries and they have been determined as cultural monuments by the law. The Library acquires the majority of archival copies by a legal deposit, and some through purchase, exchange or donations. In 2013, 8.666 items (1.400 kg of books) were sent for mass deacidification to Preservation Technologies B.V. in the Netherlands. The selection criteria for the books to be treated by mass deacidification were physical condition of the items, pH value of the paper and mechanical strength. Non-destructive analysis using Karakta portable Near Infra-Red Spectrometer was used in order to determine pH and mechanical properties of the paper. On some of the items, pH was measured on the surface of the paper using a standard method (T 529 om-04). The books, which were already in a severe state of degradation, will be preserved in the digitised form. The positive side-effect of the books selection for mass deacidification is recataloguing of old stock, arranging the books according to call number, cleaning the dust from the books, replacement of old envelopes and folders with protective enclosures made of chemically stable materials and conservation treatments of mechanical damages of the books.
    Source: Tehnični in vsebinski problemi klasičnega in elektronskega arhiviranja. Materialno varstvo arhivskega gradiva [Elektronski vir] : zbornik mednarodne konference, [Radenci, 15. - 17. april 2015] (Str. 76-77)
    Type of material - conference contribution ; adult, serious
    Publish date - 2015
    Language - slovenian
    COBISS.SI-ID - 279306752

    Link(s):

    http://www.pokarh-mb.si/uploaded/datoteke/Radenci/radenci2015/067-078_malesic_2015.pdf

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