Micah, First, I suggest you look at the NEDCC site. They have lots of useful information about preservation: https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/overview.
Secondly, I don't think you can prevent the damage without a real barrier between the humidity/temperature of the mikveh and the materials. If you monitor the humidity/temperature and find it's within the safe range, then you're OK. Paper (both the pages and the cardboard of the covers) absorb moisture incredibly quickly, especially if it's warm. You can see the changes in a day, as the pages begin to wrinkle and the covers begin to bend. Even worse, is the possibility of mold, as it is a plant and grows very quickly from book to book in the right environment (warm and moist) and never really is killed. If these books are not being collected for the long-term but for short term use, then just check their condition regularly and get rid of the ones that look like they are absorbing the moisture. I've been active in the preservation community in Los Angeles for over 20 years, so this is just from what I've learned and my experience over the years. Others may know more and have different recommendations. Thanks, Emily Emily Bergman Temple Sinai Glendale, CA emilyanneberg...@gmail.com On Mon, Dec 12, 2016 at 7:57 PM, Micah Salb <ms...@lsslawyers.com> wrote: > Folks: > > > > Our shul’s mikveh is building a small library and they are, > understandably, worried about the effect of humidity on the books. Does > anyone have any ideas about how to keep the books from getting too damaged > too quickly? > > > > Micah Salb > > Librarian > > Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue > > > Disclaimer: This email and any files transmitted with it contain > confidential information and are intended only for the individual named. If > you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, > copying, distributing, or taking any action in reliance on the contents of > this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail > by mistake, please delete this e-mail from your system and notify the > sender immediately by e-mail. Thank you. > > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual > author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries > (AJL) > ================================== > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio- > state.edu/maillist.html > Earlier Listserver: > http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio- > state.edu/maillist.html > AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > >
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@lists.service.ohio-state.edu To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list Hasafran@lists.osu.edu https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
