Preservation and

conservation
of Library Materials

Dr. M. R. Rawtani
Deptt. of Lib. & Info. Science
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Evolution of Writing
Materials
 Stone & Metal 5000 years Ago
 Clay Tablets Use by Sumerian
600 B.C.
 Papyrus Use by Egyptians in 600
B.C.
 Skin Use in 190 B.C.
Early Writing Materials in
India
 Stone & Metal Plates
 Birch-Bark
 Palm-Leaf
 Paper
Concept of Preservation &
Conservation
 Preservation is process of keeping an object
safe harm or loss, damage, destruction or
decay, and maintaining it in a sound
condition for present use.
 Conservation is an activity of which
Preservation is one aspect and Conservation
with the remedial treatment and restoration
of document.
Types of Documents
 Palm Leaf Manuscripts
 Birch Bark Manuscripts
 Manuscripts, Book, Periodicals etc.
 Non Book Materials
 Film Media
 Slide
 Microfilm, Magnetic Tape & Optical Storage etc.
Preservation: Palm-Leaf
 Storing
 Manuscripts placed and tied between
wooden boards with wrapped cloth
 High temperature and low humidity
are extremely injurious. The ideal
environment is 22-25˚ C and relative
humidity between 45-55%
Preservation: Palm-Leaf
 Protection from Insects
 Use of Insect Repellants

 Fumigation
 Using Carbon tetrachloride and
ethylene dichloride (1:1)
Preservation: Paper
 Causes of Deterioration of Materials
 Inherent Causes – inherent strength of
paper depends on the length and
strength of organic fibers
 External Causes
 Temperature and Relative Humidity
 Light
 Biological Agents
 Atmospheric Pollutants
Preservation: Paper
 Human Causes
 Handling by Library Staff
 Handling by Users
Preservation – Non Book
Materials: Basic
Consideration
 Physical Environment
 Temperature - No single temperature
can be prescribed for media formats is
75˚F for videotapes and cassettes; for
magnetic tapes is between 50˚F to
125˚F
 Humidity – Non Book materials are
sensitive to this factor. Ideal humidity
factor is 45%±5%
 Preservation – Non Book
Materials: Basic
Consideration
 Security – It focus on protection against
human problems such as vandalism and
pilferage. It will be necessary to store in a
such location and manner that these cannot
be accessed without assistance of staff.
 Circulation Policy –
Evolved a balance
between security and service. A strict in-
house circulation policy has certain
advantages
Preservation – Non Book
Materials: Basic
Consideration
 Maintenance of Equipments - Non
book materials like videotapes, film,
tapes, slides, transparencies, film
strips etc. require additional
equipments for their usage. These
items are all susceptible to damage
caused by improper maintenance of
equipments.
Preservation – Non Book
Materials: Basic
Consideration
 Storing -non book materials like
phonograph records, tapes, Film, CD-
Rom etc. should be stored in vertical
position.
 Handling - non book materials are
mostly delicate and require proper
handling by the librarian and the user.
Hazards to Library
Materials
 Environmental Factor
 Temperature
 Light and Darkness
 Humidity and Moisture
 Water
 Smoke
 Dust and Dirt
 Chemical Factors
 Hazards to Library
Materials
 Biological Factor
 Fungi
 Insects

Silver Termite Book

Fish Worm
THANK YOU