Case Studies
Looks Alarming but Isn't
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home > case studies > looks alarming but isn't > non-mold example 10
This substance has dimensionality; however, it lacks any other similarities to mold. It is sitting on top of the paper and shows no signs of eating into it. On the surface, paper fibers from the facing endpaper have adhered to this substance and torn off. There is no grittyness suggesting spores. Further, the book has no signs of moisture damage. Someone spilled a small amount of glue inside this book and apparently didn’t notice before closing it. Carefully scraping or prying this glue off with a sharp blade is one option for cleanup. Alternatively, leave the glue in place and make a note inside the book so future library staff know what the substance is, if removal is expected to cause further damage to the book.
Books Gone Bad - Mold in Library Collections was a project sponsored by Maine College of Art, in partnership with the Joanne Waxman Library. Funding for this project came from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The Project Lead and Artist for this project was Diane J. Wren. All contents Copyright © 2011 by Diane J. Wren. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Diane J. Wren.