Guidelines for Developing Mass Deacidification Projects

1. Collection Managers will target collections printed on acidic paper for treatment based on the following prioritization guidelines:

Low Priority for Treatment:

• Titles that have been microfilmed or are scheduled to be microfilmed.
• Collections that will be transferred to an off-site shelving facility.

High Priority for Treatment:

• Collections that are acidic, but not yet brittle. (Acidic paper was generally produced from 1850 to 1950. Many nineteenth century imprints are too brittle to withstand or benefit from this treatment. Brittle materials should be reformatted if they possess high intellectual content. )
• Collections that possess long-term research value.
• Collections of significance to the mission of Indiana University.
• Collections that will need to be retained in their original formats for the foreseeable future.
• Unique materials that do not have high artifacutal value. (Rare books and special collections materials generally should be treated by hand.)
• Newly published titles that are printed on acidic paper are ideal candidates because the paper is generally stronger. (e.g. Latin American and Eastern European collections)

2. Preservation Department staff will select materials from collections that have been targeted for treatment based on the following criteria:

• Paper should be acidic, but not brittle. A pH pen will be used to test for acidity. Brittle volumes will be identified by performing the fold endurance test for materials that do not possess high artifactual value. If the corner of a page breaks off at or before the fourth fold, the paper is too fragile.
• Majority of the text should not be printed on coated or super-calendared papers. Books composed primarily of text with some plates on coated paper are ok.
• Bindings and text blocks must be intact and structurally sound:
• Pages should not be loose or torn.
• Covers should not be detached.
• Text blocks should not be blocked (pages stuck together).
• Deteriorated leather covers, including red rot are ok.
• Minor damage, such as torn head caps and minor hinge and joint damage are ok.
• Hardbound books generally treat better than paperbacks. However, paperbacks are ok if they are in good condition.
• Maximum dimensions: 11.5" Height x 9" Depth x 2.5" Thickness
• Books larger than the maximum size parameter listed above can be treated in a horizontal machine or sprayed by hand.
• Duplicates of a given imprint for a specific title will not be treated. The copy in best condition should be selected for treatment.