7 Jun
2007
7 Jun
'07
5:06 p.m.
Scott Quinn wrote:
Moisture is a problem only if it's really high
(mold predominantly,
although sizing can soften and stick pages together). The big problem
with many paperbacks is the so-called "high acid" paper with appreciable
quantities of lignin in it - the lignin changes into acid and causes the
paper to self-destruct. Think yellowing, crumbling paperbacks...
Umm ... DEC's paperbacks.
I'm not sure what the paper of choice for
databooks is, generally if a
book uses sized bond paper it's not at highest risk, but for the most
part wood paper made before the '80s will have some degree of risk (and
more modern papers that are not acid-free archival grade).
So can anything be done for them?
LOC (Library of Congress) has a fairly large group
devoted to this
problem, and a process fior neutralization that works pretty well
(although if you do it wrong or make a mistake stuff bursts into flame).
They point out that it is "not recommended for those who are not
professionals".