PALMCOP has an Environmental Monitoring Packet for loan up to 30 days. It is designed to help you monitor conditions and items in your collections.
In the packet are three publications which spell out what the proper environment should be: 1) pH levels in your paper collections; 2) light and its effect on collections and how damaging ultra-violet rays can be; and 3) testing your microfilm for vinegar syndrome. A spiral bound volume entitled "Preservation of Library & Archival Materials" (herein after called the "preservation manual") is also included.
Inside the Packet you will find three instruments for data gathering:
A datalogger which will take temperature and relative humidity readings every hour. This information may be printed out in list form (listing date time and readings) or in graph form. We will provide both forms and help you to interpret the readings.
A digital hygrotherm for you to take instant temperature and relative humidity readings. You should keep a chart on these readings along with the dates and times.
A visible light meter for you to take readings where your collections are exposed to light. Again, you should keep notes on the readings you take.
Other items included in the packet are:
- AD strips to monitor film base deterioration.
- A pH pen to measure acidity.
- pH strips to measure acidity.
- Blue-wool cards to measure document fading from light exposure.
- Humidity detector strips.
- Five Gaylord Preservation Pathfinders.
- A Gaylord Catalog.
- An Onset Catalog.
- A technical leaflet titled "Increasing the Life Of Video Tape".
There is a minimal charge for the loan of the packet. This charge is only to insure that we are able to replace the expendable items in the packets. Charges are $10.00 for PALMCOP members and $20.00 for non-members.
To request one of the packets, please contact Heather South (803/896-6112).
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