Cleaning plan for Library

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Cleaning plan for Library

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1TheHagMan
aug 15, 2015, 12:57 am

Hi there,

I have a small library of about 1000 books. I live in a very humid climate, Japan, and I thought I had the everything under control. My books are in my office where I have my computer and I spend some time in there most days. I enjoy seeing the books, and thought they look great and I can pick a book off the shelf when I want and browse through a few pages, but recently I just haven't had time.

I have been very busy for the last couple of years with work, and had to return to the UK for about 6 months.
This summer I went to pick up a book and noticed some mould, something I had not been able to pick up on as its not on the spines at the front. Just on the back, after removing all the books I now see it's quite a big problem. I will probably have to lose about a quarter of my collection. I mainly want to make sure it doesn't spread to the other books.

Having cleaned everywhere and all the remaining books, they are going back on the shelves.

My main task for the future is making sure there is no reoccurence of the problem, at least not on this scale.
I am guessing that the books have been in the present location for 4 years untouched. I guess ample time for damage to occur.

I need to work out a plan of care and was hoping that some other collectors might share their cleaning plan for their library.

Do you clean once a month, a quarter, half year or annually? Do you do one mammoth session or break your collection into areas for cleaning? Do you remove all the books and wipe between them? Do you use any cleaner on the dust jackets?

Thanks in advance

2amysisson
aug 15, 2015, 3:09 am

I don't actually clean my books regularly, and I do live in a very humid climate (Houston, Texas), but I think the dehumidifying effect of our air conditioning generally prevents mold.

I know that the United States in general, and Texas in particular, is over-reliant on air-conditioning. But I wonder if you might get a small dehumidifier for the room or rooms where you store your collection? It might help.

Good luck!

3PhaedraB
aug 15, 2015, 3:13 pm

Some tips I remember are not putting the bookshelves against an outside wall, and not having the books in contact with the wall (or the back of the bookcase) so there is sufficient airflow.

4TheHagMan
aug 16, 2015, 4:14 am

Hi thanks for the replies.

My bookshelves are against an inside wall, and generally are not against the back of the case. I am guessing airflow might be an issue, as well as general humidity and books just absorbing the moisture. A dehumidifier is a good idea and I will check out Amazon later. I guess the room door would need to be kept close for it to have an real effect.

I was wondering more about cleaning - Do you just clean your collection regularly or just leave it as it is?

Thanks

5MarthaJeanne
aug 16, 2015, 4:44 am

I use electric dehumidifiers in the basement during the summer, and you don't need to keep the door closed. In fact, if you are fighting mold, you want air circulation. An added advantage is that they do move the air somewhat. You do need to keep emptying them unless you can have them empty into a drain.

Do check the water container before buying. One of ours has lots of little areas that you can't get at to clean, and a pink something - I suspect a bacterial film - likes to grow in there. Rinsing every time more or less controls it. I'm still not happy about it. The other one has an open container, and doesn't have this problem.