Preservation in American libraries at the turn of the century: A portrait of thought and activity in the period 1876 to 1910.

摘要

By the late nineteenth century machine binding of books, as well as the use of alum rosin size and wood pulp in papermaking, had begun to affect seriously the condition of the book stock in American libraries. Other negative consequences of industrialization, such as the harm done to library materials by artificial lighting, air pollution, and city dust and dirt, were also obvious. Along with collection expansion, increasing levels of publication (and consequent cheapening of materials and production methods), the aging of collections established mid-century and earlier, and the risks associated with circulating library materials, the effects of industrialization produced preservation awareness, alarm, and action in American libraries.;While the study limits itself to books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, and maps, it considers the influence of preservation methods and concerns for other material types (rare books, documents, and manuscripts) on techniques used with these general library materials. Significant persons, libraries, and organizations are highlighted, as are shifts in preservation interests. The study also considers the impact of two closely related area of activity and research, conservation of works of art on paper and the book production industry. Libraries which were accessible to the public and contained significant collections of commerically produced books and periodicals are examined; the personal libraries of individuals are not included.;This study examines American preservation thought, practice, and research between 1876 and 1910. Among the preservation practices included are housekeeping, the care and handling of library materials, shelving and shelf maintenance, pest control, repair and binding, emergency planning, temperature and environmental safeguards, and lighting. The study also looks at the construction and materials (leather, cloth, paper) used in the manufacture of books, the perceived causes of their deterioration, and the research efforts and standards developed in response. Cooperative efforts, and thinking about the preservation techniques the future might hold, are also reviewed. Foreign influence on American preservation thought and practice is examined.