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The term 'slow fires' refers to the rapid combustion of paper in historical books due to extreme heat.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'slow fires' is a metaphor for the gradual degradation of paper in old books, primarily caused by the paper's inherent acidity, leading to yellowing and embrittlement over time.
Books produced before the 1850s are more likely to contain acidic paper due to prevalent early manufacturing techniques.
Answer: False
Explanation: Books made *after* the 1850s are more likely to contain acidic paper because cheaper and simpler production methods were adopted during that period, leading to widespread use of acidic paper.
Microfilm and lamination were developed as preservation methods significantly earlier than mass deacidification.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mass deacidification was developed during the early and mid-20th century, concurrently with other preservation methods such as microfilm and lamination, as responses to paper degradation.
The chemical process of hydrolysis is responsible for the breakdown and embrittlement of paper fibers.
Answer: True
Explanation: Hydrolysis breaks the chemical bonds within the cellulose fibers of paper, leading to a loss of structural integrity and strength, which manifests as brittleness.
Environmental pollutants can contribute to paper degradation by forming acids that promote autocatalytic oxidation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Environmental pollutants react with paper to form acids, which then promote oxidation. This process generates more acid, creating a destructive feedback loop that accelerates paper degradation.
William J. Barrow's research indicated that a majority of books published between 1900 and 1949 would retain structural integrity for more than fifty years.
Answer: False
Explanation: William J. Barrow's research found that no more than three percent of books published between 1900 and 1949 would survive more than fifty years, highlighting a severe preservation crisis.
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) established a committee in 1960 to address concerns regarding the rapid deterioration of research library materials.
Answer: True
Explanation: The ARL formed a Standing Committee on the Preservation of Research Library Materials in 1960 as a direct response to the alarming rate of decay observed in their collections.
'Slow fires' is a term used to describe the gradual degradation of paper in historical books caused by acidity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The metaphor 'slow fires' accurately describes the progressive deterioration of paper in old books, a process primarily driven by the paper's acidic composition, leading to embrittlement and discoloration.
What constitutes the primary objective of mass deacidification within library and archival science?
Answer: To increase the pH of acidic paper, neutralizing acid and preventing further decay.
Explanation: The fundamental goal of mass deacidification is to elevate the pH of acidic paper, thereby neutralizing existing acids and establishing an alkaline reserve to halt further degradation.
What is the primary reason books produced after the 1850s frequently contain acidic paper?
Answer: Production methods for acidic paper were cheaper and simpler.
Explanation: The widespread use of acidic paper in books after the 1850s is attributed to the adoption of more economical and less complex manufacturing processes for paper production.
Which chemical process is primarily responsible for the breakdown of paper fibers and subsequent embrittlement?
Answer: Hydrolysis
Explanation: Hydrolysis is the chemical reaction that cleaves the cellulose polymers in paper, leading to a loss of structural integrity and the characteristic embrittlement of degraded paper.
Based on William J. Barrow's research, what proportion of books published between 1900 and 1949 were projected to survive beyond fifty years?
Answer: No more than three percent.
Explanation: William J. Barrow's research indicated an alarming rate of paper degradation, concluding that a minimal percentage (no more than three percent) of books from the first half of the 20th century would endure for more than fifty years.
Which organization established a Standing Committee on the Preservation of Research Library Materials in 1960?
Answer: The Association of Research Libraries (ARL)
Explanation: The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) formed this committee in 1960 to address the pressing issue of rapid decay in research library collections.
In library and archival science, what does 'slow fires' metaphorically represent?
Answer: The gradual degradation of paper in old books due to acidity.
Explanation: 'Slow fires' is a metaphor describing the progressive deterioration of paper in historical books, primarily caused by the paper's inherent acidity, leading to embrittlement and discoloration over time.
Elaborate on how environmental pollutants contribute to the degradation of paper.
Answer: They react with paper to form acids, promoting oxidation and further acid creation.
Explanation: Environmental pollutants initiate a destructive cycle by reacting with paper to form acids, which then catalyze oxidation reactions, generating more acids and accelerating the paper's deterioration.
During which period was mass deacidification developed, alongside methods such as microfilm and lamination?
Answer: Early and mid-20th century
Explanation: Mass deacidification, along with other key preservation techniques like microfilming and lamination, emerged during the early and mid-20th century as responses to the growing crisis of paper degradation.
William J. Barrow's deacidification method was a non-aqueous process employing organic solvents.
Answer: False
Explanation: William J. Barrow invented an *aqueous* process for deacidification, which involved neutralizing acid in paper using a water-based solution.
The diethylzinc (DEZ) technique theoretically involved introducing DEZ vapor into an evacuated chamber containing books, anticipating the deposition of an alkaline residue.
Answer: True
Explanation: The theoretical premise of the DEZ technique was that diethylzinc vapor would react with acidic components in paper within an evacuated chamber, leaving behind a protective alkaline zinc oxide residue.
A significant practical challenge of the DEZ process was its tendency to cause accelerated paper degradation due to the heating necessary for trace water removal.
Answer: True
Explanation: The DEZ process encountered practical difficulties, including accelerated paper degradation, which was attributed to the heating required to eliminate trace water from the books prior to treatment.
The NASA pilot plant for DEZ mass deacidification was destroyed in 1986 due to a structural collapse during a test run.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NASA pilot plant was destroyed in 1986 by a fire caused by residual, violently flammable diethylzinc (DEZ) that had pooled in the chamber and plumbing after an incomplete removal cycle.
Nicholson Baker's book 'Double Fold' extensively discussed the success of the NASA diethylzinc (DEZ) program.
Answer: False
Explanation: Nicholson Baker's book 'Double Fold' extensively discussed the *failure* of the NASA diethylzinc (DEZ) program, not its success.
AkzoNobel successfully resolved all technical and commercial issues with the DEZ process, making it a viable commercial proposition by 1994.
Answer: False
Explanation: While AkzoNobel reduced fire risks, issues with damage to books and persistent odors remained. They ultimately determined the DEZ process was not a viable commercial proposition and ceased research by the end of 1994.
What category of deacidification process was invented by William J. Barrow?
Answer: An aqueous process.
Explanation: William J. Barrow is credited with developing an aqueous deacidification process, which involved using water-based solutions to neutralize acids in paper.
Identify a significant practical challenge encountered during the implementation of the diethylzinc (DEZ) process for mass deacidification.
Answer: Accelerated paper degradation caused by heating to remove trace water.
Explanation: A key practical challenge of the DEZ process was that the heating required to remove trace water from books often led to accelerated degradation of the paper itself.
Describe the incident that resulted in the destruction of the NASA pilot plant for DEZ mass deacidification in 1986.
Answer: A fire caused by residual, violently flammable diethylzinc.
Explanation: The NASA pilot plant was destroyed by a fire in 1986, which ignited due to residual diethylzinc (DEZ) that had not been properly removed and is violently flammable upon exposure to oxygen or water vapor.
Which author provided an extensive critique of the NASA diethylzinc (DEZ) program's failure in his published work?
Answer: Nicholson Baker
Explanation: Nicholson Baker's book 'Double Fold' is well-known for its detailed examination and critique of the shortcomings and ultimate failure of the NASA DEZ program.
What was a notable effort by AkzoNobel to refine the diethylzinc (DEZ) process?
Answer: Successfully reducing the risks of fire and explosions through better process design.
Explanation: AkzoNobel's refinement efforts for the DEZ process successfully focused on mitigating the inherent risks of fire and explosions through improved process design, although other issues persisted.
Mass deacidification primarily aims to decrease the pH of acidic paper to prevent its further degradation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mass deacidification aims to *increase* the pH of acidic paper, neutralizing existing acid and establishing an alkaline reserve to prevent further decay.
Mass deacidification functions by depositing an alkaline agent into the paper to neutralize existing acid and establish an alkaline reserve.
Answer: True
Explanation: The chemical mechanism of mass deacidification involves introducing an alkaline agent into the paper, which neutralizes existing acids and creates an alkaline buffer to prevent future degradation.
The BookKeeper process consistently achieved a pH range of 7 to 8 in early and mid-nineties studies.
Answer: False
Explanation: In early and mid-nineties studies, the BookKeeper process achieved a pH range of 9 to 10, not 7 to 8.
The BookKeeper process is a non-aqueous, liquid-phase process that utilizes magnesium oxide.
Answer: True
Explanation: The BookKeeper process is characterized as a non-aqueous, liquid-phase method that employs magnesium oxide as its primary deacidifying agent.
The CSC Book Saver process employs carbonated magnesium propylate for deacidification.
Answer: True
Explanation: The CSC Book Saver process is specifically known for utilizing carbonated magnesium propylate as its chemical agent to neutralize acids in paper.
The Papersave process is sometimes referred to as 'the Battelle Process' due to its development by Battelle Ingenieurtechnik GmbH.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Papersave process is indeed known as 'the Battelle Process' because it was developed by Battelle Ingenieurtechnik GmbH.
The Wei T'o process is primarily utilized for mass deacidification of entire collections rather than individual items.
Answer: False
Explanation: While capable of mass deacidification, the Wei T'o process is more frequently employed for single-item deacidification rather than large-scale collection treatment.
Which chemical agent is employed in the BookKeeper mass deacidification process?
Answer: Magnesium oxide
Explanation: The BookKeeper process utilizes magnesium oxide as its active alkaline agent to neutralize acids in paper.
By what alternative name is the Papersave process sometimes known, in reference to its developer?
Answer: The Battelle Process
Explanation: The Papersave process is also known as 'the Battelle Process' because it was developed by Battelle Ingenieurtechnik GmbH.
Despite its capacity for mass deacidification, for which application is the Wei T'o process more commonly employed?
Answer: Single-item deacidification.
Explanation: Although the Wei T'o process can be used for mass deacidification, it is more frequently applied for the targeted treatment of individual items.
Which of the following chemical agents is employed in the Wei T'o process?
Answer: Methoxy magnesium methyl carbonate
Explanation: The Wei T'o process utilizes methoxy magnesium methyl carbonate or isopropoxy magnesium isopropyl carbonate as its active deacidifying agents.
Which chemical agent is employed in the Papersave process?
Answer: Magnesium titanium alkoxide
Explanation: The Papersave process utilizes magnesium titanium alkoxide as its active chemical agent for deacidification.
Which of the following mass deacidification processes consistently achieved a pH range of 7.5 to 9 in documented studies?
Answer: Papersave
Explanation: Studies from the early and mid-nineties reported that the Papersave process consistently achieved a pH range of 7.5 to 9.
Which of the following mass deacidification processes demonstrated a pH range of 8.78 to 10.5 in scientific studies?
Answer: CSC Book Saver
Explanation: Studies conducted in the early and mid-nineties consistently showed that the CSC Book Saver process achieved a pH range of 8.78 to 10.5.
Which of the following mass deacidification processes achieved a pH range of 7.5 to 10.4 in documented studies?
Answer: Wei T'o
Explanation: The Wei T'o process was reported in early and mid-nineties studies to achieve a pH range of 7.5 to 10.4, indicating effective deacidification and alkaline buffering.
The Library of Congress in 1994 expected an ideal mass deacidification treatment to yield a pH value between 5.0 and 6.5.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Library of Congress in 1994 expected an ideal mass deacidification treatment to result in an evenly distributed pH value between 6.8 and 10.4, not between 5.0 and 6.5.
Faculty members of the Slovak University of Technology proposed that mass deacidification chemicals must be safe, and the process should not induce paper swelling or warping.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Slovak University of Technology faculty emphasized that deacidification chemicals must be safe, the process applicable to all paper types, and that it should not cause physical damage like swelling or warping.
Early and mid-nineties studies generally concluded that mass deacidification processes failed to impart an adequately high pH to treated materials.
Answer: False
Explanation: Early and mid-nineties studies generally found that *all tested* mass deacidification processes *did* impart an adequately high pH to the treated materials, contrary to the statement.
The CSC Book Saver process was noted for leaving a 'white powdery deposit' on books as an adverse cosmetic side effect.
Answer: True
Explanation: Studies specifically identified a 'white powdery deposit' as an undesirable cosmetic side effect of the CSC Book Saver process.
The Wei T'o process was associated with cosmetic issues such as cockling and yellow discolorations.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Wei T'o process was indeed linked to several adverse cosmetic effects, including cockling, yellow discolorations, odor, and white residues.
Conservators from the British Library believe that existing mass deacidification processes are fully developed and require no further research.
Answer: False
Explanation: Conservators at the British Library emphasize that existing mass deacidification processes are still under development and necessitate further research into their chemical and mechanical effects.
What pH range did the Library of Congress consider ideal for deacidified paper in 1994?
Answer: 6.8 to 10.4
Explanation: In 1994, the Library of Congress specified an ideal pH range of 6.8 to 10.4 for deacidified paper, ensuring both neutralization of acidity and the presence of an alkaline buffer.
Which of the following was NOT among the additional requirements for mass deacidification proposed by faculty members of the Slovak University of Technology?
Answer: The process should cause slight swelling to strengthen paper fibers.
Explanation: Faculty members of the Slovak University of Technology explicitly stated that the process should *not* cause swelling or warping of the paper, making 'slight swelling to strengthen paper fibers' an incorrect proposed requirement.
What general conclusion did early and mid-nineties studies on mass deacidification processes draw concerning achieved pH levels?
Answer: All tested processes imparted an adequately high pH.
Explanation: Studies from the early and mid-1990s consistently found that all evaluated mass deacidification processes successfully raised the pH of treated materials to an adequately high level.
Which mass deacidification process was documented to leave a 'palpable residue' and induce clamp marks on book covers?
Answer: BookKeeper
Explanation: The BookKeeper process was specifically noted in studies for leaving a 'palpable residue' and causing undesirable clamp marks on the covers of treated books.
What particular adverse cosmetic side effect was documented for the CSC Book Saver process?
Answer: A white powdery deposit
Explanation: Studies of the CSC Book Saver process specifically highlighted the undesirable cosmetic effect of a 'white powdery deposit' left on treated books.
What is the British Library's current assessment regarding the developmental status of mass deacidification processes?
Answer: They are still under development and require further research into their effects.
Explanation: The British Library's conservators emphasize that mass deacidification processes are still evolving and require ongoing research to fully understand their long-term chemical and mechanical impacts on paper.
Which of the following adverse cosmetic side effects was specifically associated with the Papersave process?
Answer: Newton's rings
Explanation: The Papersave process was documented to cause several cosmetic issues, including discoloration, a white deposit, and notably, Newton's rings.
Which of the following is NOT an identified cosmetic side effect associated with the Wei T'o process?
Answer: Newton's rings
Explanation: While odor, white residues, and cockling are listed as cosmetic side effects of the Wei T'o process, Newton's rings were specifically associated with the Papersave process, not Wei T'o.
As of 2008, commercial plants for the BookKeeper process were exclusively located in the United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2008, commercial BookKeeper plants were operational in multiple countries, including the U.S., Spain, Japan, Poland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Qatar, and Italy.
Hand-held sprays for deacidification are available for individual item treatment, including processes such as BookKeeper and Papersave.
Answer: True
Explanation: Several deacidification processes, including BookKeeper, CSC Booksaver, Papersave, and Wei T'o, offer hand-held spray formats for targeted treatment of individual items.
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has extensively adopted mass deacidification programs for its collections.
Answer: False
Explanation: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has not extensively adopted mass deacidification programs, choosing instead to invest its preservation funds in other areas, despite pioneering an aqueous technique.
In 2000, NARA justified the absence of a mass deacidification program by asserting that many of its papers possessed higher inherent quality than typical library collections.
Answer: True
Explanation: One of NARA's justifications in 2000 for not having a mass deacidification program was the belief that many of its papers were of higher quality and thus less susceptible to degradation than typical library collections.
The estimated cost for deacidification treatment in the early 1990s, excluding transportation, was typically over $20 per volume.
Answer: False
Explanation: In the early 1990s, the estimated cost for deacidification treatment, excluding transportation and handling, was between $5 and $10 per volume, not over $20.
The Library of Congress allocated $2 million to deacidify 72,000 books between 1995 and 1997, resulting in an actual cost of $11.70 per book.
Answer: True
Explanation: Between 1995 and 1997, the Library of Congress utilized $2 million in appropriations to deacidify 72,000 books using the BookKeeper method, achieving a per-book cost of $11.70.
A 2003 cost comparison indicated that microfilming was a more cost-effective preservation method than deacidification.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 2003 cost comparison revealed that deacidification ($16.20/volume) was significantly more cost-effective than microfilming ($125/volume) and scanning ($50/volume).
As of 2022, more than ten mass deacidification plants were operating globally.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2022, there were only five mass deacidification plants operating globally, not more than ten.
As of 2008, which of the following countries was NOT listed as hosting a commercial plant for the BookKeeper process?
Answer: Germany
Explanation: As of 2008, commercial BookKeeper plants were located in the U.S., Spain, Japan, Poland, The Netherlands, South Africa, and Qatar, with an additional plant in Italy. Germany was not listed among these locations.
Which prominent research library is cited as having adopted deacidification as a preservation method?
Answer: The New York Public Library
Explanation: The Library of Congress and the New York Public Library are specifically mentioned as major research libraries that have adopted deacidification for their collections.
In 2000, what justification did the Chief of the NARA Document Conservation Laboratory offer for the absence of a mass deacidification program?
Answer: Many NARA papers were of higher quality than typical library collections.
Explanation: The Chief of the NARA Document Conservation Laboratory stated in 2000 that many NARA papers possessed higher inherent quality than typical library collections, thus reducing the perceived need for mass deacidification.
What was the approximate per-volume cost for deacidification treatment in the early 1990s, excluding transportation and handling fees?
Answer: Between $5 and $10 per volume.
Explanation: In the early 1990s, the estimated cost for deacidification treatment, excluding logistical expenses such as transportation and handling, ranged from $5 to $10 per volume.
What was the total expenditure by the Library of Congress for deacidifying 72,000 books using the BookKeeper method between 1995 and 1997?
Answer: $2 million
Explanation: Between 1995 and 1997, the Library of Congress received $2 million in appropriations specifically for deacidifying 72,000 books using the BookKeeper commercial method.
In a 2003 cost comparison, how did deacidification ($16.20/volume) compare financially to reformatting options such as microfilming ($125/volume) and scanning ($50/volume)?
Answer: Deacidification was more cost-effective than both reformatting options.
Explanation: A 2003 cost comparison indicated that deacidification at $16.20 per volume was considerably more cost-effective than microfilming at $125 per volume and scanning at $50 per volume.
As of 2022, what was the total number of mass deacidification plants operating worldwide?
Answer: Five
Explanation: As of 2022, there were five mass deacidification plants operating globally, serving the need for large-scale preservation of acidic paper materials.
What was a salient feature of NARA's Twenty-Year Preservation Plan, as articulated in 2000, concerning resource allocation?
Answer: Achieving 'maximum benefit for the greatest number of records'.
Explanation: NARA's Twenty-Year Preservation Plan, as discussed in 2000, emphasized a strategy of achieving 'maximum benefit for the greatest number of records,' guiding their resource allocation decisions away from mass deacidification.
Which of the following deacidification processes is available in a hand-held spray format for individual item treatment?
Answer: BookKeeper
Explanation: BookKeeper, along with CSC Booksaver, Papersave, and Wei T'o, is available as a hand-held spray, facilitating individual item deacidification.