Teleconference on mass deacidification

The videoconference "Mass Deacidification for Paper-Based
Collections," broadcast live on October 26, 1995, was held locally
at the University of North Carolina--Greensboro.  This
videoconference was graciously hosted at the Greensboro venue by the
North Carolina Preservation Consortium with approximately 20
participants.

The session went smoothly under the able moderating of Bob DeCandido
of the New York Public Library.  The panel consisted of Ken Harris
and Chandru Shahani from the Library of Congress, Sally Buchanan
from the University of Pittsburg, Sue Kellerman from the
Pennsylvania State University, and Randall Russell, president of
Preservation Technologies, Inc., Pittsburg, PA.  It was particularly
interesting to hear updates on the various systems operating in
other countries, especially France, Germany, and England.

The Bookkeeper mass deacidification process in this country was
described in detail by Dr. Russell, president of the company that
has developed this process.  Some selection is still necessary,
particularly for coated stock, although--as we all know--generally
this material is fine because the coating on each side of the core
material is rather alkaline.  Costs of between $12 - $15 per volume
were projected by Dr. Russell.

All in all, it was a worthwhile experience, and all the panelists
should be congratulated.  One hopes it can be repeated on other
subjects.

Don Etherington
President, Conservation Division
Information Conservation, Inc.
6204 Corporate Park Dr
Brown Summit, NC  27214

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:41
                Distributed: Saturday, November 11, 1995
                        Message Id: cdl-9-41-017
                                  ***