Preservation Quiz Answers

    1. You find that the book you've checked out at the library has several pages that are badly torn.
    b. Repairs, no matter how small, are best left to the library personnel who are specially trained to do them with archival quality materials. Pressure sensitive tape will dry out, stain paper, gum up cloth, shrink, and ooze at the sides. It can take hours to remove the residue of a few pieces of old tape. Please don't complicate the effort of the library conservation staff experienced in making repairs by trying to save them work.

    2. Which of the following will prolong the life of books, photographs, CDs, videos, cassettes, disks, films, and other library materials?
    a. Although people thrive with sunlight, water and warmth, library materials live much longer in low temperatures and low humidity -- away from ultraviolet rays. The higher the temperature,humidity and ultraviolet light level, the faster the rate of deterioration.

    3. Eating and drinking in the library is discouraged because:
    a, c. Spilling food and beverages on books and library materials cause irreparable damage. Crumbs, food wrappers, and liquids can attract insects and rodents that eat and destroy paper and the adhesive that secures the book bindings. Moisture can easily lead to mold that damages or destroys paper-based materials.

    4. If you notice a leak anywhere in the library you should:
    d. Water damages library materials. If wet or damp library materials are left unattended, destructive mold and mildew will begin to grow. The sooner the leak is reported, the sooner it can be attended to, and the greater the chance that the damaged library materials can be salvaged.

    5. You should open up your bag to the exit guard as you leave the library because:
    c. Although it is time consuming and sometimes annoying to have to stop and open your bags at the exit, it is even more annoying to find that the library item that you need is missing. Unfortunately, each year some of the library materials for which your tuition dollars pay are stolen. By inspecting bags, we are soliciting your help in an effort to minimize theft. Because of this effort, most books and other library materials are available when you need them.

    6. You are reading while leisurely eating and drinking a cup of coffee. Quite by accident the cup overturns and coffee spills over the book.
    b, d. Wet book paper will begin to mold within 48 hours, especially in a warm atmosphere. Moderately wet books that have no water damage to the spine can be dried by standing them on a flat surface with the covers spread open. Gently moving air (ideally with a fan) will shorten the drying time. By all means tell the librarian so that appropriate repairs can be made.

    7. You are reading a very interesting book but must stop because you have an appointment to keep.
    b, d. If you have a good memory, b is the ideal solution. Inserting a bookmark to keep your place is the least injurious practice. Turning a book face down can weaken and often damage the spine of an older, fragile book. The crease left from turning a corner down will not disappear, but often the corner will!

    8. You have several books that are due at the library today and it is raining very hard.
    b, c. It's always a good idea to protect books from the elements, particularly the rain. Bindings will be spotted by the rain. In extreme cases the paper of the book can become very wet and fall victim to mold if not dried properly.

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