Re: Brittle book repair

[Angie Piercy <afp048t@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

	Has any consideration been given to digitizing these items for
preservation?  I would like to implement this in my department so that
out-of-print, brittle books can still be accessed by patrons (via a web
page, ideally).  Depending on the format used for digitizing, the materials
would probably be more accessable for patron searching and research than
they are in microform or even in original book format.
	I am only beginning to research the feasibility of this myself, so any
info shared would be appreciated.  

	Angie Piercy
	Head of Preservation Unit
	Meyer Library
	Southwest Missouri State University

At 09:56 AM 5/5/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>Here at Emory our practice concerning brittle books has been to seek
>replacements, build enclosures or to reformat through preservation
>microfilming or preservation photocopying.  We have not done any repairs
>due to concern with creating additional damage, and due to the time and
>expense involved in working with these fragile materials.
>
>Many volumes in our theology library are brittle, difficult to replace,
>and still in demand by library users.  Library staff would like for us to
>perform some book repair treatments on these volumes, sufficient to give
>perhaps 5-10 years of useability.  Heavy use is not predicted for these
>materials.
>
>Our conservator is resistant to doing "bad repairs."  As preservation
>officer I agree, but also want to offer the best possible service in a
>"real world" situation where best practice may not result in the desired
>ends.
>
>How are other libraries handling this?  Do you do any repair treatments to
>brittle volumes?  What is your rationale for repairing, or for not
>repairing these materials?  Is there a reasonable compromise solution that
>will extend the life of these materials?
>
>I'd appreciate your perspective on this problem.
>
>Thanks you,
>
>Janice Mohlhenrich
>Coordinator, Preservation Initiatives & Services
>Emory University
>Atlanta, GA
>404-727-2437
>jmohlhe@xxxxxxxxx
>
>