Combating Whole-Book Deterioration: The Rebinding & Mass Deacidification Program at the Penn State University Libraries

Abstract

In this article, I describe the newly established preservation program at the Penn State University Libraries to deacidify en masse collections of older materials en route for commercial rebinding. This collection-based preservation strategy was designed to serve as a one-step-preparation approach for rebinding and for neutralizing the acid paper found in our heavily used, worn, and torn circulating collection. This strategy of combining commercial rebinding with deacidification has resulted in a timely and effective solution to preserve and stabilize collections for our users now while preventing future material deterioration. I will detail agreements and operational procedures developed among service vendors and the library, describe selection criteria, and document technical aspects to report this preservation action in bibliographic records.