Removing shrink wrap from books

Tara Kennedy <tara.d.kennedy [at] yale__edu> writes

>Yale is processing a 2 million volume collection in preparation for
>sending it to our off-site high density storage facility.  Many of
>the volumes are in poor condition and they are being shrink wrapped
>(instead of boxed) as a cost-effective measure for consolidating
>loose boards, spines, pages, etc.
>
>As these volumes return from our storage facility, our circulation
>staff will need to remove the shrink wrap from the volumes before
>giving them to patrons.  Has anyone written up instructions or
>guidelines as to how the shrink wrap is to be removed? Do people
>have experience using a particular tool that has worked well for
>easy and safe shrink wrap removal?

We do shrink wrapping in our collections, including items on the
shelves that have not been moved to off-site--we're still working
on getting that.

Wrapped items have slips that indicate date wrapped, note that item
is brittle..., and return to a service point for rewrapping when
done. Patrons can unwrap and service points will as well. No
problems with that. If a wrapped item is checked out we will
reevaluate for repair or replacement.

In terms of tools, I have found that letter openers like the one
below are effective, safe, and easy to use.

    <URL:http://www.amazon.com/
        Presto-Letter-Opener-Package-5/dp/B002BG4Y44>

    **** Moderator's comments: The above URL has been wrapped for
    email. There should be no newline.

Hope this helps,

Peter D. Verheyen
Head of Preservation and Conservation
Syracuse University Library
Syracuse, NY 13244
315-443-9756


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:30
                 Distributed: Sunday, December 19, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-24-30-016
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