Paper Conservation by New Mass Deacification Techniques

Stored books and papers are being destroyed by acid deterioration and embrittlement at alarming rates. The 1991 "A Preservation Plan for the National Agriculture Library reports that 53% of volumes in that library are either entirely or partially deteriorated due to this process. The continual reprinting and copying that is needed to preserve documents, impacts the use of forest products. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project describes a new method to protect stored books and papers from ongoing acid deterioration and embrittlement. Unless an economical method is found to protect these resources, most will be lost or require reproduction at great cost by copying onto the paper or by reformatting. The effectiveness of alkaline materials to arrest acid deterioration of paper has been known for many years. However, these agents continue to be difficult and expensive to apply. The proposed research will develop a new concept, the infusion of protective alkaline agents into paper sheets. Results will demonstrate that a simple. effective and environmentally safe method of applying alkaline agents to deacidify paper is feasible. Initial experiments have shown a high likelihood of success. Libraries nationwide represent significant and viable outlets in need of this new technology.