System of low-temperature low-humidity preservation storage and accelerated retrieval of books and other papers

摘要

In a combined system or method for extending the life expectancy of an article of cellulosic material such as a book or other paper, the book or other paper is put in preservation storage at subnormal temperature and subnormal humidity. The resulting loss of flexibility of the paper is remedied upon withdrawal of the book or other paper from storage through its accelerated simultaneous exposure to a partial vacuum of about 5 to 50 torr and to water vapor; a partial vacuum of about 12 to about 30 torr is preferred. This procedure restores both the temperature and moisture content of the paper to normal values.