Preservation Guidelines for Handling Wet and Moldy Books
Wet Materials
During the regular workweek, (Monday through Friday, between 8 and 5:30 p.m.), wet materials should be sent directly to the Conservation Unit to the attention of the Collections Conservator. These materials must be dealt with as quickly as possible to be air-dried or frozen before mold begins to grow (which may begin within 48 hours of the the item being exposed to moisture.) Also, coated papers may begin to fuse as the paper dries, if the pages are not adequately interleaved. For these reasons, it is best not to wait to send a wet item with other damaged materials on trucks (or in boxes) or to return the item to the stacks.
When the Preservation Department is closed:
- For a DAMP book, stand it on its head or tail, open only the covers slightly to allow it to stand. Support the book with bookends if it cannot stand alone. Put a fan on, in front of the book. Take the book to the Preservation Department ASAP.
- For a soaking WET book, put it in a plastic bag and place it in a library refrigerator freezer immediately. Notify the Preservation Department ASAP.
If many books are wet, please follow Disaster Plan procedures and contact Salvage Squad leaders.
Moldy Materials
Materials that appear to have grown mold (on covers, pages, and edges)
should also be sent directly to the Conservation Unit to the attention
of the Collections Conservator.
- IDENTIFYING MOLD
- Active or live mold may appear as a fuzzy, black or colored growth.
- Inactive mold often appears as a gray, powdery substance.
- A strong musty smell may also suggest the presence of mold.
- PROTECTING YOUR HEALTH
- Both active and dormant mold present health hazards and must be contained to prevent reactivation (dormant or inactive) or spread (live mold) to adjacent collection material.
- Staff handling mold-damaged materials should thoroughly wash their hands after any level of contact.
- ISOLATING MOLD: It is extremely important that any mold-damaged book be isolated from other materials by placing it in a plastic bag and taking it to the Conservation Unit as soon as possible. (We have a small supply of plastic bags available for staff to leave at the various circulation service points.)
Thank you for helping to preserve library materials!
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