[padg] Re: Mold Follow-Up

[Olivia Primanis <primanis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: Re: [padg] Mold Follow-Up

Hi Mary,

We put a flag into each book and manuscript folder to identify items that are moldy or that have been treated for mold contamination. In the past we had numerous slips with many options.  Now we have 2 slips because it was too complicated to distinguish between levels of contamination. We feel that either an item has been adequately cleaned and has a insignificant level of contamination or that an item cannot be adequately cleaned. The determination is made by the conservator who cleaned the item and is a subjective, visual determination.

One book flag identifies items that had a very small amount of mold that was removed "completely" by aspiration. These items are paged to the Reading Room.

Flag: Although the Conservation Department has treated this item for mold contamination by aspiration and/or dry cleaning, mold still may be present.  For health reasons, patrons (who may or may not be) sensitive to mold may consider wearing gloves and a dust/mist respirator while handling this item.

The other book flag identifies items that have moderate to significant contamination. These items cannot be paged to the Reading Room-- whether cleaned or not, the patron or staff member will view them using specialized equipment --a fume hood and some PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) such as gloves and a dust/mist respirator to protect staff and patron health and to reduce contamination of the building.

Flag: THIS MATERIAL IS CONTAMINATED WITH MOLD/ USE IS SUBJECT TO PERMISSION FROM THE HEAD OF THE READING ROOM

STAFF______ DATE______ Treated: Yes____ No____

Regards,

Olivia

> Hello,
>
> I really appreciated the mold discussion late last month.  I have
> a follow-up question regarding moldy items post-treatment.  Once
> an item has been treated for mold (or pests, for that matter) does
> your institution have a means for marking the item as having been
> treated?  And if so, do you physically mark the item, make a note
> in the record, or both?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mary Miller
>
> --
> Mary E. Miller
> Preservation Librarian
> Preservation Department
> Stanford University Libraries
> 1450 Page Mill Road Room 132
> Palo Alto, California 94304
> Ph:(650) 721-1612
> Cell: (650) 644-7869
> Fax:(650) 725-0547
> Email: mmille23@xxxxxxxxxxxx

-- 

Olivia Primanis
Senior Book Conservator
Harry Ransom Center
The University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box 7219
Austin, Texas 78713-7219
P: 512-471-9117
F: 512-471-7930
www.hrc.utexas.edu