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.
Return to Quiz.
Return to Preserving Library Materials.