[PADG:1521] Re: Universal Book testing

["Karen Muller" <kmuller@xxxxxxx>]

Michael,

Your question was referred to me by Dr. Mary Jo Lynch.

Our library here is somewhat weak on the  source material on library and book preservation, so confirm my hunch that the reports of the Barrow research would have descriptions of the use of the machine.  A listing of some of these is available at http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byorg/abbey/ap/ap02/ap02-1/ap02-118.html.

However, I'm going to copy your inquiry (and this response) to the Preservation Administrators Discussion Group list (padge@xxxxxxx) in hopes that one of the specialists there can help you.

 -- Karen Muller
   Librarian and Knowledge Management Specialist
   American Library Association
   50 East Huron Street
   Chicago, IL 60611 USA

Toll free: 1-800-545-2433 x 1-5031
Direct: 312-280-5031
Fax: 312-280-3255
http://www.ala.org/library



>>> <MOKeefe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>  >>>
Hello,

My name is Michael O'Keefe and I am coating chemist working on formulations
for decorative papers and cloth used as bookcovering.

I am trying to research a testing device that is called a Universal Book
Tester.

The ALA commissioned a study in 1960 to develop a test instrument to
produce a standard that could determine the durability of of books,
specifically the binding.

The machine is actually an accelerated wear tester to simulate useage in a
library environment.

The instrument was developed by the W. J. Barrow Laboratory in Richmond VA.
The development was sponsored ALA and the Special Libraries Assoc. and
administerd by the Library Technology Department.

There have been articles in Book Production Magazine relating to the
machine in 1960's.

Could you help me locate a procedure that would allow us to accurately
perform testing with our long dormant unit???

Thank you in advance


Michael S. O'Keefe
Senior Product Technologist
mokeefe@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
tel: 401-354-7237
fax: 401-353-0150