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7.1
Monitoring equipment
7.2
Prevention
7.3
Treatment
7.4
Emergency treatment
The following list of equipment and supplies is intended as a general guide. Much of the equipment is necessary for both the maintenance of the collection and in responding to emergency situations. These items should be purchased and maintained on site by the library. Other items are required only in emergencies and may be rented or leased. Institutions should identify local sources of equipment and supplies as part of a disaster plan. The Classified section of the phone book: is an excellent source of information regarding sources of equipment and services.
Equipment for monitoring temperature and relative humidity should be standard equipment in every library. The number and type of monitoring devices necessary will depend on the size and specific needs of each institution. If only a limited number of monitoring devices can be purchased, they should be portable, and a regular schedule should be established to monitor all locations in the building. A psychrometer is required for the calibration of the other devices, and should always be included in the necessary monitoring equipment..
Psychrometers
Psychrometers measure temperature and relative humidity using a `vet and dry bulb system. The dry bulb indicates the ambient temperature, and the relative humidity is determined by the difference between the wet and dry bulb reacting. Manual and motorized models are available.
Hygrometers
Hygrometers measure only relative humidity. They do not record readings and must be monitored regularly by staff. They are available in wall mounted or free standing, portable models.
Hygrothermopraphs
Hygrothermographs measure temperature and relative humidity, but do not record and must be monitored by staff. They are available in wall mounted or free standing portable models.
Recording Hygrothermographs
The recording hygrothermograph measures and records temperature and relative humidity on a removeable paper chart. Machines may record 24 hours, seven days or one month. Both wall mounted and portable units are available.
See Classified Section under:
Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Scientific Apparatus & Instruments
Most of the equipment necessary for the prevention of mold growth should be readily available from a number of sources.
Fans
A variety of different fans may be necessary in order to effectively modify the environment and provide adequate air circulation and ventilation. Permanent installations in walls, ceilings and windows should be supplemented by portable fans which can be moved to problem areas of the building as needed. Fans are also necessary during emergencies, both to maintain air circulation in drying and treatment areas and to increase air circulation in flooded areas during the removal of water damaged materials. Libraries in tropical areas cannot have too many fans.
See Classified Section under:
Fans-Electric
Fans-Ventilation and Exhaust
Ventilating Equipment
Vacuum Cleaners
For routine cleaning and maintenance of collections, portable cannister or hand held vacuum cleaners are recommended. They should be equipped with a flexible hose and a variety of attachments. For general cleaning, the brush attachment may be used. For the removal of mold the crevice tool is recommended. Vacuums used for cleaning items from the collections should be no more than one to one and a half horsepower.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers may be either permanently installed or portable. The permanent systems will in general be more effective and cost efficient, but more expensive to install. Portable systems are useful in correcting localized problems and in emergency situations. The type of system chosen will depend on the prevailing environmental conditions as established by a monitoring program prior to purchase.
See Classified Section under:
Dehumidifying Equipment
Dehumidifying Chemicals
Desiccants
Desiccants are useful in humid tropical climates for maintaining microclimates within cases and cabinets. A variety of types and absorbencies are available, from scientific and chemical suppliers. Silica gel is widely used in the United States an:' Europe. Nikka pellets are more widely available in Asia. Desiccants should, not be placed in direct contact with books or papers, but should be contained in trays or fine mesh cloth bags.
See Classified Section under:
Dehydrating Chemicals
Drying Compounds
Silica Gel
Air Conditioners
Lowering the temperature at which collections are stored is beneficial in terms of prolonging the life of paper and other kook materials, but can cause problems in areas where relative humidity is high. Before air conditioning is installed, conditions must be carefully monitored to insure that relative humidity will not increase to dangerous levels. Local heating and cooling specialists should be consulted in order to determine which available equipment can most successfully modify both temperature and relative humidity.
See Classified Section under:
Air Conditioning Equipment & Systems
Air Conditioning-Room Units
Ventilating Contractors
Air Quality
Filtration of air to remove particulate matter can reduce the incidence of mold growth, but cannot eliminate it completely. Local ventilation specialists should be consulted in order to achieve the maximum filtration possible without interfering with air circulation.
If fumigation is carried out on site, monitors which can give accurate readings of the level of toxic vapors remaining on site or in the materials are necessary.
See Classified Section under:
Air Cleaning and Purifying Equipment
Bacteria Control Systems
Filters-Air
The equipment necessary for the removal of mold growth should be acquired and maintained in working order in every institution in the tropics. At least one staff member should be trained and delegated to take charge of any treatment and to supervise other staff members in the event of a moderate or major outbreak.
Vacuum Cleaners
Low power hand held or cannister vacuums should be used in removing mold from the covers of books. The crevice cleaning tool should be used rather than the brush attachment. The vacuums chosen should have disposable paper collection bags, not reusable cloth bags. See Prevention above.
Mini-Vacuums
Mini-vacs are used for the removal of mold from the surface of paper. They are most useful where mold is an infrequent occurance. Most models may be operated by either direct electric power or with batteries. They are available through camera and electronic equipment suppliers.
Vacuum Aspirators
Vacuum aspirators, like the mini-vacs are used for the removal of mold colonies from the surface of both books and paper. They are more effective than the mini-vacs, and are a worthwhile investment where mold is a recurring problem.
Vacuum aspirators are relatively easy to construct, and require:
1. A small vacuum pump with regulator.
2. A 3' length of clear plastic tubing of appropriate inner diameter to fit the vacuum pumps intake port.
3. Two sections of 1/4" inner diameter glass tubing, one approx. 8" long and the other approx. 4" long.
4. A 1000 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
5. A two hole rubber stopper for the mouth of the flask.
6. A 5' length of clear tubing of appropriate inner diameter to fit the glass tubing.
7. An eye dropper with the suction bulb removed.
Clear plastic tubing is preferable, as it can be monitored for the build up of spores on the inner wall of the tubing and changed as necessary. Opaque rubber or plastic tubing may be substituted if clear tubing is not available. If the air intake port and the glass tubing differ in size, tubing of appropriate size may be joined with plastic tube connectors.
The aspirator is assembled by attaching the 3' length of tygon tubing to the air intake valve on the vacuum pump regulator. The other length of the tube is attached to the 4" glass tube and this is inserted into one of the holes in the rubber stopper. The 5' length of tubing is attached to the 8" glass tube, and the tube is inserted into the other hole in the rubber stopper. The stopper is then placed in the mouth of the flask. The large end of the eyedropper is inserted into the unattached end of 5' tubing. The eyedropper and the length of tubing form a tiny vacuum cleaner. The mold is collected in the flask. The mouth of the eyedropper should be smooth, and may be sanded with emery paper if there are any irregularities. When the vacuum pump is plugged in, the pull of the vacuum may be regulated by adjusting the intake valve.
In an emergency, when electrical power may be off for days or weeks, a vacuum aspirator can be improvised using a water tap. A special attachment (called a water-jet pump) is necessary for the tap, and can be obtained from chemical suppliers. A vacuum is created by the flow of water through the faucet, and the pull of the vacuum can be regulated by increasing or decreasing the volume of water. The 3' length of flexible tubing should be attached to the side opening of the water-jet pump and connected to an Erlenmeyer flask as described above. Any local university or high school chemistry department can provide assistance in constructing a vacuum aspirator. They are quite simple to set up and USE, but rather difficult to describe.
See Classified Section under:
Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Scientific Apparatus and Instruments
Magnifiers
The use of a magnifier will aid in the thorough removal of mold growth. A disecting microscope with a long arm adjustable stand is best, but will not be available to most. libraries. A headband magnifier provides an acceptable level of magnification, and leaves both hands free. Hand held magnifying glasses may be user if no other apparatus is available.
See Classified Section under:
Microscopes
Magnifying Glasses
Artists Materials and Supplies
Brushes
An assortment of brushes will be needed. Fine pointed artist's watercolor brushes should be used for removing mold growth from the surface of pastels and other fragile media. Wide crusting brushes of rabbit hair should be used for routine cleaning and the removal of pondered art gum eraser. These dusting brushes should not be used in the removal of mold growth.
See Classified Section under:
Artists Materials and Supplies
Powdered Art Gum
The use of powdered art gum for the removal of mold growth from fragile paper is recommended. Powdered art gum is available through most art and drafting suppler stores. If it is not available locally in powdered form, art gum erasers can be cut into small squares and reduced to powder in a household blender. Several different grades or sizes can be made, from relatively coarse to very fine. The larger grains should be used first in order to pick up the mycelium from the paper, followed by the finer grain powder to remove remaining spores.
See Classified Section under:
Artists Materials and Supplies
Drafting Room Equipment and Supplies
Tweezers
Very fine pointed disecting or surgical tweezers may be used for lifting mold from fragile surfaces and pastels.
See Classified Section under:
Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Scientific Apparatus and Instruments
Physicians and Surgeons Equipment and Supplies
Sources of supplies and contact persons for emergency equipment should be located prior to an emergency, and lists and phone numbers should be kept in several places in and outside the library.
Pumps and Water Removal Equipment
Pumps and wet/dry vacuums should be available for the removal of standing water after floods. Such equipment can sometimes be rented, and sources should be located during the development of a disaster plan.
See Classified Section under:
Rental-Equipment and Tools
Rental Service Stores and Yards
Listings for specific items - Rental
Freezing and Cold Storage Facilities
Cold storage facilities may be used in emergencies, but prior contact is usually necessary, and immediate access is often not possible. The use of refrigerated shipping containers for the freezing and storage of water damaged materials may be more viable.
See Classified Section under:
Warehouses - Cold Storage
Cargo & Freight Containers
Trucking
Truck Renting and Leasinq
Truck Refrigeration Equipment
Vacuum Freeze Drying and Freeze Drying Equipment
Commercial food processors are the usual source of such equipment and services, but may not exist in all areas. For relatively small numbers of items (under 1000) home frost-free freezer units may be used. Larger, commercial frost-free freezer units may also be available.
See Classified Section under:
Foods - Dehydrated - Whol & Mfrs
Refrigerating Equip - Commercial
Refrigerators and Freezers - Dealers