Types of Deterioration
There are three main types of deterioration that occurs in library materials.
| Chemical: Chemical damage occurs when library materials deteriorate because of the materials of which they are made. For instance, paper in some books contains acid, which may eventually weaken the paper fibers and turn the paper brittle. Acid is called paper's "inherent vice." Some audio tapes are made of acetate, which can cause the tape to become brittle and produce a vinegar odor. The book in the picture is very acidic and now brittle. |
| Mechanical: This damage occurs because of some physical threat to the item. For instance, paper clips attached to book pages can bend the paper, and books shelved improperly can warp bindings. The book in this picture has tape attached to the cover, and when someone tried to remove the tape, the cover started coming apart. Video tapes suffer from mechanical damage when they get "eaten" in machines that are not maintained. Mechanical damage is mostly preventable. |
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| Biological: This damage occurs when some living organism attacks books. Mold, insects, rodents, and even pets all cause biological damage by eating paper, book cloth, and glue or leaving stains. The book in the picture was chewed by a rodent. Most biological damage is preventable by controlling the environment and eliminating food and drink. |
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