salvagetechniqueswetmaterials

These procedures are designed to help library staff recover materials from minor emergencies that typically involve 100 or fewer items. The majority of these emergencies will be caused by interior flooding due to leaky pipes (or water coming in from other vulnerable areas in library buildings) or from patron mishaps. The resulting wet books and other objects, such as photographs, microfilm, and sound recordings, can usually be dried on location and returned to service with minimal effort. Please note that this document takes effect after the safety and security of library staff and patrons has been secured. If the disaster is much larger than 100 volumes, then responding will be more complex and necessarily involve OUL decisions.

Water Emergencies--First Steps to Take

Take the following steps in response to an incident that does not pose a threat to staff or patron safety, and where recovery of damaged library materials can be handled on the premises.

WARNING! DO NOT ENTER AN AREA THAT IS FLOODED UNTIL ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED! MAKE CERTAIN THE WATER IS NOT CONTAMINATED.

MEANWHILE, until help arrives...

A. For water coming from above:
--Cover affected stacks with plastic sheeting from the emergency supplies located in your department.
Location_____________________________________________

--Carefully move wet material off shelves to a clean, dry area.

B. For water coming from below:
--Remove books from affected shelves to another location OR move books onto higher shelves.

C. Contact the Preservation Office @2-2464 if you have any questions about recovering wet materials.

D. Estimate the number of wet volumes in order to determine amount of space needed for air drying the wet
materials. Help the DRAT member(s) calculate the number of recovery volunteers you will need. As a rule, it takes approximately 30 minutes for 2 volunteers to wrap and box 100 volumes (@ 10 volumes per box).

E. Locate Space:
Find a clean, dry, secure area which has good air circulation, using fans to keep air moving, and the lowest possible temperature and relative humidity readings (optimum is below 70 degrees F and 50% RH). The space should meet the following criteria:

--Easy accessibility (e.g., for wheeled trucks, frames).
--Clear path to a loading area (in case the damaged books need to be re-located).
--Close proximity to affected materials.
--Availability of open, flat, surfaces (reading rooms are good, but consider the impact on readers, since they may be excluded from the area for several days).
--Availability for approximately one week (air drying can take from one day up to a week and the area chosen should be able to accommodate this range of time).

--Designated area(s) in ________________ Dept/Unit for air drying
books:______________________________________________

--People to contact for access/keys to the above area(s):
_________________________ext.________ home #_________
_________________________ext.________ home #_________

Procedures for Air-Drying Books

NOTE: The drying time for a book can range from 1 to 7 days.

A. Books that are thoroughly wet:

--Place absorbent paper on table or floor where books will be dried (unprinted newspaper works well). Change paper on the table/floor as it becomes wet.
--Lay book at edge of table with foredge pointing off edge and gently, but firmly apply pressure from spine to foredge, pushing out excess water. Gently open book and insert paper towel every 20-25pp. Change when the paper towels are wet.
--If cover is bleeding or coming off, remove and put aside to a place where it can be found again. In many cases book will need to be rebound.
--Use fans to generate air circulation in room. Books should be dry enough for the next step: B. Books that are partially wet.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to fan leaves. Do not remove covers unless they are bleeding. Leather and vellum bindings will present problems. When leather get wet, especially red-rotted leather, it will turn black and take on a slimy consistency. These covers should be removed and put aside (inside to inside) with pieces of freezer paper between them to prevent transfer of discoloration. Likewise vellum bindings will need special attention because they will warp severely upon getting wet.

B. Books that are partially wet:

--Open book partially (at a fairly shallow angle) and interleave with absorbent paper (paper towels work well).
--Begin at the back of the book and interleave every 20 or so leaves (i.e., pages).
--Leave book flat until paper towels have absorbed some of the water--i.e., in about 30 minutes to 1 hour. --Change paper towels periodically until book is only very slightly damp, then go to the next step under C: Books that are damp.

C. Books that are damp:

--Stand damp books on edge, lightly fanned, and dry in front of fans. If the cover is damper than the text, place absorbent paper between the boards and the book, changing them as needed.
--When almost dry, go to the next step: D. Books that are almost dry.

D. Books that are almost dry:

--Lay the book flat, push the back and boards gently into position, and place under a light weight. Leave in this position until book is thoroughly dry.
--When books are dry to the touch at the gutter, stack from largest to smallest and fore-edge to spine with a board on top and underneath. Place weights on board to help flatten.

SPECIAL NOTE: Coated Paper (shiny paper)

If this type of paper is allowed to dry with pages stuck to each other, it will NOT be possible to separate them. For this reason it is important that they be interleaved between every page with paper towel. Change as often as neccessary and then follow steps from "D. Books that are almost dry." Pages should be separated with great care.

Procedures for Air-Drying Paper Documents and Pamphlets

--Hang documents/pamphlets over fishline or clothesline to dry. Lines may be strung close together and items laid across them to dry.
--Lay out small stacks of documents and/or single leaves on tables, floors, and other flat surfaces. Spread paper towels or unprinted newspaper on tables, etc.
--Use fans to circulate air in recovery location.
--Change newsprint/paper towels as necessary, when towels become damp.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to separate leaves that are very wet or that are sticking together unless you have been trained to do so. Do not attempt to air dry manuscripts, drawings, or material with water-soluble colors except under the advice of a conservation specialist.

NOTE: Make sure that contents of folders and boxes are not separated from each other.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS: If in doubt about any procedures, check with the Preservation Office @ 322-2464 before proceeding. For non-book media, such as manuscripts, drawings, watercolors, maps, or framed prints call the Preservation Office @ 322-2464 or a conservator from the Supplies/Resources List.

SALVAGE TECHNIQUES FOR WET MATERIALS