CONSERVATION: DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR.
These procedures outline the handling and treatment of materials which are too damaged to repair.
SCOPE
These procedures apply to all general collection materials routed through the Conservation Unit. Special Collection and pre 1850 imprints are handled under separate procedures.
DEFINITIONS
Damaged beyond repair are materials that:
- pose a threat or danger to other library materials, such as waterlogged and/or active mold
- are damaged to the extent that they cannot be repaired (for example, the dog ate half the book)
- are damaged to the extent that, in the staff's view, repairing them will exceed the value of the book to the collection. For example, copy 27 of Gone With The Wind. The appropriate selector will be contacted at that point to make the final decision. Conservation Unit staff will not discard any material without the approval of the selector.
RECEIPT OF MATERIALS
All damaged materials entering the Preservation Office, pass through the Conservation Unit for review. See procedures for routing and receipt of repair material.
TREATMENT DECISION
The decision that an item is too damaged to be repaired is made by the Head of the Conservation Unit.
The final decision as to the status of the book is made by the appropriate selector.
DISPOSITION OF DAMAGED MATERIAL
Wet and/or moldy
- Materials are charged to Conservation damaged books.
- Appropriate selector is notified with a printout stating that the book is damaged and can't be repaired. Permission is requested to discard volume.
- The book is placed in a plastic bag in the freezer. NOTE... book is retained in freezer until notification from selector in case book is out of print and difficult to replace. In those instances it may be possible for the volume to be photocopied or microfilmed.
- If the selector notifies the unit that the book may be withdrawn, discharge the book, remove bar code and send barcode to the Catalog Department with explanation that book has been destroyed.
Case and/or block damage.
- Discharge book from Conservation.
- Send Circulation the book and a copy of the item record,stating that book is damaged and can't be repaired. These will be forwarded to the appropriate selector by Circulation, using the lost/missing book form.
Brittle books
Charge out to brittle books circulation card and send to Brittle Books holding shelf.
