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Mass Deacidification - Making it a reality?
A Feasibility study to investigate and make recommendations for a
collaborative approach to mass deacidification as part of the national
preservation strategy for the cultural written heritage
Archives and libraries have long been aware of the magnitude of the problem
of acidic paper, sometimes referred to as "brittle paper". This phenomenon
is the result of economic decisions, which caused a reduction in the
standards of manufacture of paper from about 1850.
Over the past thirty years, various attempts have been made by commercial
organisations, and also via research commissioned by major libraries all
over the world, to combat this problem. It is now clear that if this threat
remains unchecked, it has the potential to lead to a massive loss, not only
of information, but also of heritage material.
During the 1990's however, several mass deacidification systems have been
developed which offer strong potential, and this has renewed interest in
Europe and North America.
Following a meeting held at the Public Record Office in November 1999,
attended by representatives from a wide variety of archives and libraries
throughout the UK and Ireland, a Steering Group was formed. A successful bid
has been made to the British Library Co-operation and Partnership Programme
who awarded a grant for the study. The project will complete by March 2001.
Aims and Objectives:
The primary aim of this study is to map out a collaborative approach to
solving the problems created by acidic paper.
The project aims to develop:
criteria for the establishment of a commercial plant that would suit all the
partners
the best way of achieving a cost effective, collaborative use of such a
plant by archives and libraries throughout the UK and Ireland
The main objectives would therefore be to:
enable the parties involved to define their requirements from a commercial
organisation and so begin the process of ensuring sustainable access to the
nineteenth and twentieth century cultural written heritage identify
potential funding sources for a national programme to commence and sustain
this process
Anyone interested in contributing to this project please contact:
Jonathan Rhys-Lewis:
Project Consultant : 01206 515498 : [log in to unmask]
Questionnaire and further project details : National Library of Wales
website:
www.llgc.org.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Rhys-Lewis [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 October 2000 10:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mass Deacidification Feasibility study
Jonathan Rhys-Lewis
Archive Preservation Consultant
161 Maldon Road
Colchester
Essex
CO3 3BL
Tel/Fax: 01206 515498
Mobile: 0780 833 2539
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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