Host David Suzuki and narrator Angela Fusco present this program on the deterioration of paper in old books around the world. At least one-third of the world's books are turning into particles and dust as they become embrittled. Paper from 500 years ago is in better condition than 150-year-old paper because the original production process did not involve the use of alum. Alum reacts with moisture in paper to create an acid that causes yellowing and embrittling. The earliest paper-making techniques are described and recreated. This program describes various methods of book preservation, including re-binding, photocopying, de-acidification and creating micro-fiche copies.
Presents efforts to conserve and copy embrittled books and other documents at the National Archives of Canada, CCI, CIHM and the National Library of Canada
Notes
Aired on televison on 'The Nature of Things'
Cast: Suzuki, David
Burgess, Helen Diana
Language
English = Anglais
Subject
Libraries - Conservation and restoration
Library materials - Conservation and restoration
Library materials - Deterioration
Library materials - Preservation
Books - Conservation and restoration
Documentation de bibliothèque - Conservation et restauration
