HOW TO IDENTIFY MOLD

Mold is likely to grow on paper materials (and other media) that have been housed in areas of high temperature and high relative humiditiy. Once materials have been removed from their shipping boxes, inspect them closely for signs of mold and mildew. Pay special attention to packages arriving directly from tropical climates. Materials stored in areas with poor temperature and humidity control or areas recently subjected to leaks also need to be periodically inspected for mold growth.

If you suspect any book has mold, isolate it IMMEDIATELY in a plastic bag and seal it shut. Disturb the item as little as possible. Contact the Preservation Office for assistance. If a building area appears to have mold problems, contact the Preservation Office for assistance.

Wash hands after any direct contact with mold.

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SIGNS OF MOLD

• Spots on very damp or wrinkled paper.

• Musty smells, especially in older materials or ones that have been kept in poor environmental conditions.

• Rounded areas of fuzzy black, gray, pink, yellow, or other color growths on the outside covers or inside pages of books. Under magnification early mold growth looks like a fine web of filaments. Older growth looks more bushy and thick.

• Light-colored circular or spidery-shaped spots on dark-colored covers. Or, dark-colored spots on light-colored covers. Especially under book jackets.

• Stains that continue through from one page to another.

• Stains that have developed on paper that have been obviously water-damaged, even if now dry.

SD 10/23/03