Materials Processing and Preservation Flashcards

Which adhesive is most commonly recommended for book repair in library preservation work?

Answer: Polyvinyl acetate (PVA)

PVA is preferred for book repair because it is flexible, reversible when wet, and archivally stable.

What does the term 'deacidification' refer to in library preservation?

Answer: Neutralizing acid in paper to slow deterioration

Deacidification is a chemical process that neutralizes acids in paper and deposits an alkaline buffer to slow future deterioration.

A library receives a water-damaged book. What is the recommended first step?

Answer: Place it in a freezer to halt mold growth

Freezing halts mold growth within 24–48 hours and allows controlled drying later, making it the recommended emergency response.

What is the primary purpose of encapsulation in preservation?

Answer: To protect fragile documents between two sheets of polyester film

Encapsulation seals a document between two sheets of polyester (Mylar) film to provide physical support and protection without touching the item with adhesive.

Which environmental condition poses the greatest risk to photographic materials in a library collection?

Answer: High relative humidity and temperature fluctuations

High humidity accelerates chemical decay in photographs and promotes mold, while temperature fluctuations cause physical stress to film layers.

What is 'cold storage' used for in library preservation contexts?

Answer: Long-term storage of color photographs and film at low temperatures

Cold storage (typically 35°F/2°C or lower) dramatically slows chemical deterioration in color photographs and motion picture film.

When processing a new monograph, in what order are tasks typically completed?

Answer: Catalog, stamp ownership, add security strip, label spine

Cataloging is performed first so that call numbers and bibliographic data are established before physical processing steps such as labeling.