Get a simple, effective, and elegant solution to all your book problems. Pride and Preservation Store gives you ThisCovery BookCase, a transparent bookcase that reduces dust accumulation and discoloration of paper, prevents pest and mold infestation, and looks great displayed on a shelf or tabletop. In order to effectively preserve a book (see Brief History of Preservation), it must be kept from hazardous chemicals such as light, heat, temperature change, dust, and mildew. ThisCovery BookCase is made of ACRYLIC PLASTIC which is a type of hard plastic used as an alternative to glass. It is lightweight and hydrophobic and filters ultraviolet lights, resists temperature change, and redirects daylight and other light properties. These properties are advantageous to the product’s purpose of resisting temperature change, humidity, light, and heat. Acrylic plastics are usually used for advertising signage, aquariums, and display cases hence they are durable and weather-resistant. Brief History of Preservation With the popularity of e-books, unpredictable weather, and various harms, the typical book owner is only given limited ways to get the best benefits out of his books. One of the major problems encountered with the weakening of the physical nature of books is the acid in paper. Gibbon (1988) states that “the more rapid deterioration of modern paper has been attributed to acids that accumulate in the paper. The sources of the acids are chemicals that are either introduced during the papermaking process or are introduced subsequently from the environment.” Acids interact with external factors such as light, heat, temperature, and humidity. Mold and mildew are formed by high levels of humidity. Changing temperatures are insidious to bindings and covers. Lights, ultraviolet and even fluorescent ones, are also damaging under long periods of time. Direct heat and sunshine will also speed up the process. Common preservation techniques include mass deacidification, book binding, lamination, sizing, and inserting of acid-free paper. Book binding is the most used method by book owners or collectors but this simply repairs the covers and holds pages that are falling off. Deacidification, lamination, sizing, and use of acid-free paper all concentrate on the failing of paper but then the chemicals involved during these processes are still harmful in the long run. One solution was developed to delay the problem of deterioration. “The practice of conserving the original led to an increased attention to box making as a valid alternative to the restoration of books.”(Pignatti, 2012) Book-shaped boxes has been around in the field of conservation since the late 1700s. Daniel Charles Solander, a Swedish naturalist journeying in the Pacific Ocean, designed a wooden box to contain his biological specimens. This box, named Solander Box, is still being used for conservation of artefacts in different libraries and museums, especially in Europe and America. Modern variations have been developed throughout the years. However, the awareness and sensitivity of preserving books only heightened after the Florence Flood of 1966. Pignatti (2012) explains “The Phased Conservation Project started in the mid-1970s and had the purpose of providing a quick and effective solution for the preservation of fragile material from the vast collection of the Library [of Congress of Washington DC].” It was because of this that the widely-used Phased Box was introduced. Sources: Gibbons, J. H. (1988). Book Preservation Technologies, Government Printing Office. Pignatti, G. (2012). Boxes for the Housing and Protection of Books: Observations on their History and Development. Conservation Magazine Publication. Excerpt from Cruz, T.M., de Torres, K.M. & Estuista, J.E. (2011). A Feasibility Study on the Proposed Product: ThisCovery BookCase. San Beda College Alabang.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 12:30:49 +0000
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