This web site is part of a larger progect that provides information about mold in library collections. The focus is on early stages of mold infection in books. This site is not intended to cover information about mold in buildings, or about preservation of historic materials infected with mold. The Extras and Links section provides links to sites with this sort of information.

This web site and the companion book, Books Gone Bad - Mold in Library Collections, is sponsored by Maine College of Art, and created in close collaboration with the Joanne Waxman Library in Portland, Maine, through a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

Maine College of Art delivers a demanding and enlivening education in visual art and design within an intimate learning community. We teach each student how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. MECA offers a BFA degree in 10 studio majors, an MFA in Studio Arts, a Post-Baccalaureate in Art Education and Continuing studies for youths and adults.

Located on the second floor of the Porteous Building in Portland, Maine, the Joanne Waxman Library is the largest library collection in Northern New England that supports teaching and research in the visual arts. The collection consists of approximately 25,000 volumes, 100 current periodical subscriptions, and 52,000 slides.

Diane J. Wren came to Portland, Maine to study photography at Maine College of Art. While a student at MECA, Diane worked at the Joanne Waxman Library and in 2009 was part of the weeding project that discovered mold in the collection. Interest in the subject, a studio practice using macro photography, and a desire to create tools to help Maine’s library and historical society communities came together in this project. More of Diane’s work can be seen at http://www.dianejwren.com.