Lack of conservation programs, inadequate and improper storage facilities for archives, and lack of book repair personnel and restoration programs have resulted in a life expectancy of less than 50 years for most library holdings. Recent efforts to find solutions to the problem are identified. (JAB)

Considers the advantages and disadvantages of six mass deacidification processes that libraries can use to salvage printed materials: the Wei T'o process, the Diethyl Zinc (DEZ) process, the FMC (Lithco) process, the Book Preservation Associates (BPA) process, the "Bookkeeper" process, and the "Lyophilization" process. The…

Explains the need for accelerated deacidification practices at the Public Archives of Canada. Methods mentioned which prevent acid attack are aqueous and nonaqueous deacidification, gaseous deacidification solutions, and mass deacidification. The process of mass deacidification, developed at a pilot plant, is compared to workings of a refrigerator…

Discussion of paper manufacturing processes and their effects on library materials focuses on the promotion of alkaline "permanent" paper, with less acid, by Canadian library preservation specialists. Standards for paper acidity are explained; advantages of alkaline paper are described, including decreased manufacturing costs; and…

Discusses preservation microfilming of pre-1900 Canadiana (works published in Canada, by Canadians, or about Canada) by the Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions, noting William J. Barrow's studies on paper deterioration, the formation of the institute, the working methodology, and future projects. Thirty-one references are listed.…

Describes results of a library collection survey conducted in 1987 at the University of Manitoba to determine the extent of the problem with brittle pages. Paper acidity and deterioration are described, the need for a national plan is discussed, and recommendations to improve preservation efforts and results are offered. (five references) (LRW)

Outlines the problems of the National Museums of Canada libraries that led to the decision to implement a preservation program and describes the program and its impact. Areas discussed include policy formation, disaster contingency planning, storage monitoring, collection cleaning, binding and restoration, rare book identification and…

Suggests nine requirements for a contingency plan to assure a library's successful recovery from a disaster. A discussion of the salvage team, security, and staff problems follows an enumeration of helpful supplies and equipment. Appended is a sample emergency procedure checklist. (SW)

Examination of the challenges for serials management posed by rapid changes in technology places particular emphasis on issues relating to the bibliographic control of and access to serial publications. Problem areas are identified as organization for serials work, staffing, and the multiplication and specialization of serial publications.…