HIT -> Mold on Books

[Madeline Buchanan <DEMS105@UABDPO.BITNET>]

  Thanks so much for your answers on how to get rid of mold on library books.
My supervisor and the librarians who have this problem really appreciate your
quick answers.

  One librarian in Pasadena, Texas had this problem until the air conditioning
was run all year.  Three times she wiped her entire collection with a solution
of vinegar and water.  She says that the cloth must be wrung out until it is
almost dry.  Several other librarians mentioned a vinegar/water solution.

  Another suggestion is a light dusting of baking soda which can be brushed
off.  Bleach/water solutions will retard return growth, but the book must be
allowed to dry thoroughly.  Direct sun will also help if the humidity isn't
too high.

  Installing a dehumidifier helped one librarian solve her problem of moldy
books.  Another lamented that once mold spores are present they spread when
anything is moved even slightly.

  Another suggestion was to wipe down each book with Lysol.  A product called
X-14 (which I have used in my shower stall) is probably too strong for books
but could be used on plastic furniture if mold is on the furniture as it is
in the library here.

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   Madeline L. Buchanan           Barrett Elementary School
   Library Media Specialist       7601 Division Avenue
   DEMS105@UABDPO.DPO.UAB.EDU     Birmingham, Alabama  35206
                                  Phone (205) 838-7644

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