The Preservation and Protection of Library Collections: A Practical Guide to Microbiological Controls

By Bogdan Zerek

Preservation involves a complex of activities including climate, air-quality, and surface control, as well as microbiological control, which is a key part of preserving and protecting library collections. The Preservation and Protection of Library Collections examines microbiological control for preservation of library and archival collections. A supporting tool for conservators, this title should be integrated into conservation and preservation policy. The book comprises nine sections that cover three aspects: microbiology, surveying, and the response required. Chapters in this title cover the nature of the library collections, physical and chemicals factors and their impact on microbiological issues, as well as biological factors and methods of microbiological control of the air and objects. Later chapters examine methods of object disinfection, disaster response, methods of microbiological control and evaluation of collections, and includes a vocabulary guide, appendices, literature information and references.

• Gives an overview of basic biological and environmental facts and their implications for library collections
• Informed by practical experience in the library situation
• Provides guidelines, requirements, procedures, workflow charts, regulations, and case studies

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Release date: Oct 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781780634401

Bogdan Zerek

Bogdan Filip Zerek works for the National Library of Poland and since 2007 has been the head of the microbiology, disinfection and conservation of atypical objects section. He is also deputy head of the Conservation Department-Laboratory. With an MA in paper conservation and an MS in environmental biology, Bogdan is most active in the field of microbiological control, as a part of conservation and preservation measures for both single objects and whole collections. Bogdan has practical experience in daily Library routine, disaster response and scientific experimental research.

Book preview

The Preservation and Protection of Library Collections

A practical guide to microbiological controls

First Edition

Bogdan Filip Zerek

Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright page

List of figures

List of tables

About the author

1: Introduction

Abstract

Introductory remarks

Who and how they may benefit from this book

The nature of library collections

The climate and its impact on microbiological conditions of the library collection

Biological factors

Overview of the book

How to use this book

2: Short mould review

Abstract

Statistics of moulds isolated at the National Library of Poland

Fungi from the National Library in experiments for my MSc thesis in Biology

Daily work with fungi in the National Library at the present day

A final comment on the presented quick methods of identification of the genera of moulds

Conclusions

3: Methods of microbiological control of the air

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Fungi

Evaluation of the microbiological condition of the room – interpretation of the results

Counteractions

Conclusions

4: Methods of microbiological control of objects

Abstract

Evaluation and qualifying of objects for sampling

Sampling spots selection

Sampling – general

Impress sampling with sterile pieces of Whatman filtration paper

Sampling with swabs: transferring material from swabs to dishes with medium further work

Conclusions and results – classes of objects returned for regular activity

Disinfection of individual objects on the grounds of sampling results

Conclusions

5: Methods of disinfection

Abstract

The idea of disinfection

Disinfecting methods in Poland and other countries

Practical use of PCMC

Fungicidal efficiency of disinfection with PCMC in experiment

Disinfection with radiation

Practical use of ethylene oxide

Conclusions

6: Methods of microbiological control and evaluation of the collections

Abstract

Why I adapted the Stanford method selection approach

Selection of the objects

Objects evaluations, conclusions, recommendations and further action

Sample case study statistics of rooms and entire collections

Conclusions

7: Experiment on moulds and papers with application in conservation and preservation

Abstract

Introduction to a sample experiment

Defining procedure of experiment

The experiment

Results and conclusions

Discussion

The efficiency of the researched methods in practice and literature

Conclusions

8: Disaster response

Abstract

General consideration

Conclusions

9: Overall conclusions

10: Appendices

Appendix 10.1 The structure of the National Library of Poland

Appendix 10.2 Photo-manual of air sampling

Appendix 10.3 Photo-manual of contact sampling – general

Appendix 10.4 Photo-manual of contact sampling – impress

Appendix 10.5 Photo-manual contact sampling – swab

Appendix 10.6 Instruction defining the working time organization and use of Petri dishes by conservators (the library description of posts in conservation department) performing the microbiological analyses of the air and the objects in microbiological laboratory

Appendix 10.7 Supplementary (there is a producer’s one) instructions of operating the ethylene oxide disinfection chamber of the National Library of Poland

Activities not included in the producer’s manual of the disinfection chamber

Appendix 10.8 Exemplary equipment and installations for a microbiological laboratory

Appendix 10.9 The instructions of microbiological control of newly acquired objects coming to the National Library

Appendix 10.10 Procedure for evaluating microbiological conditions of the library or archival collections

Appendix 10.11 Procedure for the departments and other units of the National Library of transferring the objects for microbiological evaluation/sampling and conservation treatment

Appendix 10.12 Instructions defining the methods of running documentation of microbiological evaluation and sampling of objects in the DepartmentLaboratory for Conservation of the Library Collections according to the applicable Office Instruction of the National Library

Appendix 10.13 Chart of Microbiological Evaluation or Disinfection of the Object

Appendix 10.14 Instructions for preparation of Czapek-Dox medium for use in the Conservation Laboratory-Department of the Library Collections

Appendix 10.15 Creating procedures for immediate microbiological surveys of objects in the Krasiński Palace

Appendix 10.16 A few practical remarks, tricks and tips

11: Institutions, resources, links and addresses

The National Libraries

12.2 The National Archives

Other on-line resources

Glossary

References and further reading

Index

Copyright

Chandos Publishing

Elsevier Limited

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First published in 2014

ISBN: 978–1–84334–759–0 (print)

ISBN: 978–1–78063–440–1 (online)

Chandos Information Professional Series ISSN: 2052-210X (print) and

ISSN: 2052-2118 (online)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014938144

© B. F. Zerek, 2014

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. This publication may not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published without the prior consent of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

The publisher makes no representation, express or implies, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in this publication and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions.

The material contained in this publication constitutes general guidelines only and does not represent to be advice on any particular matter. No reader or purchaser should act on the basis of material contained in this publication without first taking professional advice appropriate to their particular circumstances. All screenshots in this publication are the copyright of the website owner(s), unless indicated otherwise.

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List of figures

2.1 Aspergillus ochraceus, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 28

2.2 Aspergillus ochraceus, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 29

2.3 Aspergillus versicolor, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 30

2.4 Aspergillus versicolor, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 31

2.5 Aspergillus versicolor, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 32

2.6 Aspergillus versicolor, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 33

2.7 Gliocladium catenulatum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 35

2.8 Gliocladium catenulatum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 36

2.9 Penicillium ochraceum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 37

2.10 Penicillium ochraceum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 38

2.11 Verticillium lamellicola?, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 39

2.12 Verticillium lamellicola?, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 40

2.13 Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 42

2.14 Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 43

2.15 Trichoderma harzianum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 44

2.16 Trichoderma harzianum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 45

2.17 Aspergillus awamori, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 47

2.18 Aspergillus awamori, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 48

2.19 Botryotrichum piluliferum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 49

2.20 Botryotrichum piluliferum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 50

2.21 Paecilomyces variotii, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 51

2.22 Paecilomyces variotii, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 52

2.23 Penicillium funiculosum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 53

2.24 Penicillium funiculosum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 54

2.25 Aspergillus terreus?, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 56

2.26 Aspergillus terreus?, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 57

2.27 Penicillium spinulosum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 58

2.28 Penicillium spinulosum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 59

2.29 Gliocladium catenulatum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, obverse 60

2.30 Gliocladium catenulatum, 14-day-old colonies, Czapek-Dox medium, 10 cm dish, reverse 61

2.31 Regular biological microscope for transmitted light and an open Petri dish 65

2.32 Penicillium sp. single colony, after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 67

2.33 Penicillium sp. single colony, after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 67

2.34 Penicillium sp. single colony, microscopic 68

2.35 Different Penicillium sp. colonies and an unidentified colony after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 69

2.36 Different Penicillium sp. colonies after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 70

2.37 Penicillium sp., one of the colonies 71

2.38 Botrytis sp., after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 71

2.39 Botrytis sp., after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 72

2.40 Botrytis sp., microscopic observation shows a characteristic tree-like form of the ends of the conidiophores clustered conidia 73

2.41 Chaetomium sp. after 14 days, 10 cm dish, Sabouraud medium, obverse 73

2.42 Chaetomium sp. after 14 days, 10 cm dish, Sabouraud medium, reverse 74

2.43 Chaetomium sp., a very characteristic picture of the perithecia of the genus showing cullulolitic abilities 74

2.44 Scopulariopsis sp. after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 75

2.45 Scopulariopsis sp. after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 75

2.46 Scopulariopsis sp. looks similar to Penicillium sp. but the overall look of the colonies is powdery with no true green shades, varying from white to buff, brown and black 76

2.47 Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse. Four colonies of hyphaceous fungi, one colony of bacteria or some yeast 76

2.48 The dark reverse of the middle colony suggests Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 77

2.49 With no other information regarding the large white colony, only microscopic analysis of the fungus could give the answer 77

2.50 Probably Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. of Aspergillus niger group. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 78

2.51 Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 79

2.52 Presence of Penicillium sp. was confirmed, showing a typical view of the conidial head of Aspergillus sp. 80

2.53 Alternaria sp. is one of the fundamental genera for the normal and average mycoflora of the air. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, Czapek medium, obverse 81

2.54 The hyphae of Alternaria sp. are not hyaline, but show different shades of brown. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, Czapek medium, reverse 81

2.55 Alternaria sp. spores are septated, made of a few elements, like bricks 82

2.56 A single colony of Cladosporium sp.. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 82

2.57 The dark reverse of the colony. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 83

2.58 In microscopic observation, Cladosporium sp. may be problematic 83

2.59 Typical air sample dish with different Penicillium sp. colonies. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 84

2.60 The hypothesis of Cladosporium sp. so far not disproved, the dark reverse. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 84

2.61 Microscopic observation confirmed the hypothesis of Cladosporium sp. 85

2.62 Moderately clean air sample. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse. 85

2.63 Two colonies have dark reverse, a good step towards identification of Cladosporium sp.. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 86

2.64 Cladosporium sp., identified on the basis of microscopic observation 86

2.65 Another microscopic view of Cladosporium sp. 87

2.66 Cladosporium sp., microscopic view 87

2.67 Another example of conflict and domination, starring Trichothecium sp. this time. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse, white background 88

2.68 The same dish photographed upon the black background for better demonstration of the Trichothecium sp. structure. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse, black background 88

2.69 Trichothecium sp. and two other colonies with dark reverse. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse, white background 89

2.70 Trichothecium sp. and two other colonies with dark reverse. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse, dark background 89

2.71 Characteristic microscopic view of Trichothecium sp. and its conidiophores, like dull-spiked clubs with short handles 90

2.72 Perfect development of a single Penicillium sp. colony. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 90

2.73 Characteristic zonation is visible on reverse even. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 91

2.74 Characteristic microscopic look of Penicillium sp. 91

2.75 Mostly different Penicillium sp. colonies but also 3 Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 92

2.76 Different Penicillium sp. colonies and 3 Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 92

2.77 Different Penicillium sp. colonies and 1 Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 93

2.78 Different Penicillium sp. colonies and 1 Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 93

2.79 There are few colonies of probably 1 Penicillium sp., but also probably 1 Cladosporium sp. Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, obverse 94

2.80 Since all the colonies of Penicillium sp. seem to be of the same age and of the same species, why did the one ‘capturing’ the Cladosporium sp. grow almost twice as large as the second largest one not neighbouring Cladosporium sp.? Growth after 14 days, 9 cm dish, MEA medium, reverse 94

3.1 Sampling tactics: a square room about 6 m × 6 m 118

3.2 Sampling tactics: a rectangular room 6 m × 10 m 118

3.3 Sampling tactics: a rectangular room 12 m × 20 m 119

3.4 Microbiological control of the air, storage rooms and dishes required for samples 124

3.5 The results (average values cfu/m³ for all micro-organisms) of the first 7-month (April to October 2011) cycle of microbiological air control 128

3.6 The results (average values cfu/m³ for all micro-organisms) of the second 7-month (January to July 2012) cycle of microbiological air control 128

3.7 Average (30 samples, 1 survey every month in 2008) cfu/ m³ values of the air on the third floor of main storage building compared with background samples taken 129

3.8 Average (30 samples, a survey every month in 2009) cfu/m³ values of the air on the seventh floor of main storage building compared with background samples 130

3.9 Average (30 samples monthly in 2010) cfu/m³ values in the air of the fifth floor of the main storage building compared with values of the atmospheric air 130

3.10 Average (30 samples monthly in 2011) cfu/m³ values in the air of the fourth floor of the main storage building compared with values of the atmospheric air 131

3.11 Average (30 samples monthly in 2012) cfu/m³ values in the air of the second floor of the main storage building compared with values of the atmospheric air 131

3.12 Sampling the outdoor air for background level data: the first height about 2.4 m 141

3.13 Sampling the outdoor air for background level data: the second height about 1.4 m 142

3.14 Sampling the outdoor air for background level data: the third height about 0.8 m 142

4.1 The Polish Journal of 1800 (private collection), an old print 146

4.2 The same old print, later page 146

4.3 The same object, with the same set of water and mould damage 147

4.4 The symptoms of infection disappear and the flooding in the top left corner (bottom left corner of the photograph) fades 147

4.5 One of the checkpoints of the codex object, control of the sides 148

4.6 Checking the other side, generally no signs of water or microbial activity, but the uncut edges of the pages collected dust for many years, so suggest sampling 148

4.7 The effects would suggest that the volume was kept standing on its bottom edge 149

4.8 Details of the pages from the previous photograph 149

4.9 The small dark spots and discolouration are usually carefully examined visually 150

4.10 A bad trend, due to permanent lack of space in almost every library, is to keep the books standing on their edges 150

4.11 Damaged elements of the book (mostly of the binding) become soft and ‘fluffy’ 151

4.12 Not a microbiological issue; Flooding with dark liquid and a piece of physical dirt 151

4.13 Small flooding with a thin liquid 152

4.14 The next page in the same object 152

4.15 One cause of damage or two different causes, but in the same place 153

4.16 Metal in paper, sizing agent, fat from printing, foxing or a would-be mould colony? 153

4.17 A similar situation as in the previous figure, but on a larger scale 154

4.18 The third situation of the same kind with the presence of a black deposit 154

4.19 A good look at the corners of the book cover and the end paper is mandatory here, but only to confirm that it is only the effect of binding the book in leather that releases some compounds, probably tannins 155

4.20 A characteristic old print with brownish discolouration appearing only in the printed parts of the pages 155

4.21 A close-up of the previous one 156

4.22 Sign of small flooding, but the colours are inverted, with the flooded area lighter than the unflooded area 156

4.23 Some small spots, but obviously with evidence of liquid activity and appearing in a group 157

4.24 Typical paperback 157

4.25 One of the photos from my reference collection for training in identification and preservation of photographic objects 158

4.26 The situation is clear, mandatory sampling 159

4.27 The object looks rather good, except something is wrong along the left edge of the photograph 160

4.28 Note that there is almost no evidence of water activity, so probably just the humidity of the environment rose above the limit allowing fungi to grow 161

4.29 Something went wrong in the upper part of the photo, but it could be some mistake or fault during processing 162

4.30 Evidence of water activity, sampling mandatory 163

4.31 Water activity, strange discolouration in the lower central part of the object, fire activity 164

4.32 View of the upper area of the reverse of the object confirms that this part should be sampled 165

4.33 A lot of examples of damage on one object 166

4.34 Close-up of the top area of the photograph, showing water (but I suspect moulds) did the work 167

4.35 Almost a microbiological case, but still interesting for a conservator 167

4.36 Reverse of the secondary support made of cardboard, far more resistant to humidity than emulsion, showing the limits of water activity 168

4.37 Handmade real estate map 169

4.38 Minor signs of flood 169

4.39 Letters from the neighbouring objects 170

4.40 Brownish spot, minor evidence of flooding, some old repairs 170

4.41 Remember the damaged elements of the binding of the book? A similar thing happens to corners of maps 171

4.42 The repairs, the remains of some binding medium, darker and more shiny around the replacement combined with evidence of water activity 171

4.43 A model of water activity evidence 172

4.44 Dirt or even mud that was carelessly wiped 172

4.45 Some old ‘repairs’ 173

4.46 In this repair, Japanese paper and probably starch paste were used 173

4.47 Very characteristic spots of some juice, wine, etc. 174

4.48 As in Figure 4.46, the darkened areas are an effect of contact with some pigments used on neighbouring objects 175

4.49 On the outer surfaces of the objects appear mostly: book binding in fabrics, the reverse of maps and the covering of boxes, enclosures, etc. 175

4.50 Some typical effects on fabrics 176

8.1 Pattern of contact samples in storage room 218 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 263

8.2 Pattern of contact samples in storage room 215 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 264

8.3 Pattern of contact samples in storage room 214 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 266

8.4 Pattern of contact samples in storage room 217 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 267

10.1 Sterile work is one of the fundamental rules applied in the microbiological laboratory 286

10.2 The wiping of the lid and headpiece (only the surfaces that will have contact) 287

10.3 Wiping the headpiece with removed lid 287

10.4 Mounting the headpiece onto the sampler, and placing the lid onto the headpiece 288

10.5 Preparation for taking the sample 288

10.6 The lid of the dish is removed, the head piece is placed on the sampler and rotated to lock 289

10.7 The lid of the dish should be put away in such a manner that it does not become contaminated 289

10.8 Both lids removed 290

10.9 Pre-set volume for this sampling was 50 litres, the dark rectangles below information on volume on the display are progress bar 290

10.10 Overview of personal protection 292

10.11 I use gloves very rarely, as conservators have better grip and control with bare hands 292

10.12 I usually wipe my hands as far as mid-forearm 293

10.13 You may change your gloves, as after several hours’ work in the laboratory your hands may sweat 293

10.14 Practical tips 294

10.15 Determining and documenting of the sampling spot 295

10.16 Another good hint for marking and documenting of sampling spots 296

10.17 At the start of my microbiological activity in the field of conservation I was able to bring a burner into the storage room and use it to sterilize the working tools by heating. Now I simply use a paper towel dampened in denatured alcohol or disinfectant, wipe the tools and wait a few seconds for it to evaporate 296

10.18 One of the rules of the microbiology faculty at the university was to dip and heat the glass spatula and the metal tools 297

10.19 When starting the sampling session of the impress contact sampling, rejects do not cost much, but may save work 297

10.20 Sometimes the thin ends of the tweezers miss each other and the piece of paper may flip and fall. Know how to control your tool 298

10.21 While pressing the sampling paper against the object, remember you use a metal tool, which is hard, but that most of the (generally) flat library and archival objects are soft (paper, parchment, photographic emulsion) or fragile (glass), and the sampling paper does not provide safe isolation 298

10.22 Flip the sampling paper and press it against the sampled object with the other side 299

10.23 Place the sampling paper upon the medium in the dish 299

10.24 Press the sampling paper to the medium in the dish with the tweezers. Make sure that the whole surface of the sampling paper touches the medium 300

10.25 After choosing the place for sampling, apply a ‘virtual’ square 5 cm × 5 cm – the area that will be sampled 301

10.26 Another solution is the mats with printed rulers or coordinates 302

10.27 Acquire the material by wiping the sampling material with a swab 302

10.28 Start in one corner of the sampling area and move to the other end of the same diagonal with a zigzag movement, making sure you have sampled the entire area 303

10.29 Repeat the sampling in directions perpendicular to the previous one 303

10.30 Swabs have a great advantage when used under ‘field conditions’ 304

10.31 The set of tools that inoculate the material from the swab onto the medium on the Petri dishes 305

10.32 With damp (alcohol) towel wipe table and hands 306

10.33 Set 4 ml value on your pipette. Remove the foil, remove the stopper, heat the mouth of the flask 306

10.34 Aspire 4 ml of distilled water. Remember that regular automatic pipettes have two steps of resistance 307

10.35 How to handle with one hand the pipette and the test tube at the same time 307

10.36 Heat the mouth of the test tube (as above with the flask); remember that in the other hand you have the pipette and the cap, that must not come into contact with anything and the solution must not drain from the tip 308

10.37 Release 4 ml of water into the test-tube, keeping the end of the tip by the wall to avoid splashing 308

10.38 Heat the mouth of the test tube, cap it, release the tip into the waste beaker 309

10.39 Loosen the cap of the swab so it comes off easily when you need it 309

10.40 Remove the cap of the test tube with your little finger (or little and ring fingers) of the other hand. Leave at least index and middle fingers free for a swab. Heat the mouth of the test-tube 310

10.41 Transfer the swab into the test tube 310

10.42 Keep the test tube open with a swab and its cap as close to the flame as possible. Sterilize the ends of the surgical scissors by dipping and burning. Remember to keep the metal cap in your leading hand 311

10.43 Place the test tube in a stand. Cut off the swab so it does not stick out from the test tube, to avoid trouble with closing the test tube. Leave the cap of the swab on the table, as the priority now is to close the test tube as soon as possible 311

10.44 Heat the mouth of the test tube 312

10.45 Close the test tube and place it in the stand. Dip and heat the scissors or leave them in the flask with alcohol if you are going to transfer other swabs. Find the cut-off cap of the swab and drop it into the waste beaker 312

10.46 Mix the swab with water in a vortex mixer for 30 seconds, so that the top level of the solution does not come closer than 2 cm from the edge of the test tube 313

10.47 Prepare the tweezers 313

10.48 Dip and heat the tweezers. Remove the cap from the test tube with the swab. Heat the mouth of the test tube 314

10.49 Catch the swab with the tweezers and lift it so the end can be gripped with your fingers 314

10.50 Press the head of the swab against the wall of the test tube to drain and release all of solution. Roll it and press again 315

10.51 Heat the mouth of the test tube 315

10.52 Close the test tube with a cap. Drop the swab into the waste beaker 316

10.53 Preparation of the dilutions 316

10.54 Aspire a 200 μl tip. While holding the pipette, remove the cap of the test tube of basic solution with small finger (or small and ring fingers). Heat the mouth of the test tube 317

10.55 Aspire 200 μl of the basic solution 317

10.56 Heat the mouth of the test tube. Close it and put back in the stand. Take the test tube for 1/10 dilution with 1.8 ml of sterile distilled water 318

10.57 Still holding the pipette, remove the cap. Heat the mouth of the test tube 318

10.58 Release the aspired 200 μl of basic solution into 1.8 ml of sterile distilled water. Heat the mouth of the test tube, close it, place it on the stand and eject the tip to the waste beaker 319

10.59 Now you have the basic solution (1/1, undiluted) and two dilutions: 1/10 and 1/100 320

10.60 You now have all the solutions on the dishes. But the liquid covers only a small area of the medium and if left this way, micro-organisms that could grow would do it there and the entire area of the quantitative sampling would fail. The solution must be spread over the entire surface of the medium 321

10.61 The spatula is hot now and direct use may have an impact on the micro-organisms in the solution on a medium. But a longer wait may decrease its sterility 321

10.62 Spread the solution on the medium 322

10.63 Dip and heat the spatula before and after using each dish 323

10.64 A set of six dishes (two repeats per each solution) for one swab 323

10.65 The cleaning of the room after sampling takes about 15 minutes 324

THE-LAST_ONE 430

List of tables

1.1 Air humidity ratio (g/kg) 14

2.1 The amount of isolated colonies on dishes from sampling of air in the rooms, with contact object samples and background (atmospheric) air  24

3.1 Microbiological sampling of the air, values of colonies and cfu/m³ for each sample 107

3.2 Average values in (cfu/m³) 108

3.3 Microbiological sampling of the walls and the covers of the books, values of colonies for each sample 110

3.4 Suggested conditions (close to ISO-11799 guidelines for paper objects) give the following water contents 113

3.5 2007–2011 Statistics of microbiological control of indoor air 115

3.6 First annual pattern of microbiological air control, divided by library units and floors in main storage building (C building)  117

3.7 Third floor of the storage building: 2008-2010 results 122

3.8 The 7-month pattern of microbiological air control, divided by library units and floors in main storage building (C building)  126

3.9 Twelve 7-month cycles create a 7-year-long macro-cycle 127

3.10 The amount of isolated colonies on dishes in air sampling of the rooms and atmospheric (background) air; the average values  134

3.11 Results for the floors of the storage building sampled all year long 139

4.1 Statistics of microbiological control of objects for years 2007–2011 181

5.1 Disinfection of objects in (or for) the National Library of Poland in years 1988–1992 189

5.2 Disinfection of the objects using PCMC at the National Library of Poland in years 1993–1999 190

5.3 Fungicidal efficiency of disinfection with PCMC, dependant upon the kind of paper and species of fungi 191

5.4 The following regulation was used in Poland for many years and changed in 2012 by removing the NDSCh (TLV-STEL) Regulation of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Poland of 29 November 2002, on the threshold limits of concentrations of harmful chemical and physical factors in the workplace 200

5.5 Converting tables (for temperature 20 °C) 201

5.6 Moulds and their mortality in the disinfection chamber (298-330 mg/dm³, exposition time 12–17 hours) 202

5.7 Fungicidal efficiency of disinfection with ethylene oxide, dependent upon the kind of paper and species of fungi 203

6.1 Sample evaluation table of a single volume in evaluation of the collections’ procedures 212

6.2 Sample object of the class 212

6.3 Sample object of the class 213

6.4 Sample object of the class 213

6.5 Presentation of the entire collection 214

6.6 Presentation of the entire collection regarding the final conclusions for further action with a supplementary criterion, presence of evidence of flooding and wet patches in equivocal cases 216

8.1 Room 215 – comparison of numbers of samples depending on observed growth of micro-organisms and outer material of enclosures 235

8.2 Room 218 – comparison of numbers of samples depending on observed growth of micro-organisms and outer material of enclosures 235

8.3 Room 214 – comparison of numbers of samples depending on observed growth of micro-organisms and outer material of enclosures 236

8.4 Room 217 – comparison of numbers of samples depending on observed growth of micro-organisms and outer material of enclosures 236

8.5 Results of indoor air sampling in the Krasin´ski Palace, 15 April 2010 237

8.6 Results of indoor air sampling in the Krasin´ski Palace, 30 April 2010 238

8.7 Results of indoor air sampling in the Krasin´ski Palace, 27 May 2010 239

8.8 Results of indoor air sampling in the main building on 31 May 2010 (storage room 1129), compared to storage rooms of the Department of the Cartographic Collections (neighbouring storage room 1129) on 8 June 2010 and storage room 0408 on 14 June 2010 239

8.9 Contact sampling in storage room 218 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 242

8.10 Contact sampling in storage room 215 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 247

8.11 Contact sampling in storage room 214 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 252

8.12 Contact sampling in storage room 217 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 257

8.13 Background (atmospheric air) sampled on both sides of the Palace in Krasin´ski Park and in Krasin´ski Square 261

8.14 Indoor air of storage room 214 262

8.15 Indoor air of storage room 217 262

8.16 Objects sampled in storage room 218 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 264

8.17 Objects sampled in storage room 215 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 265

8.18 Objects sampled in storage room 214 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 265

8.19 Objects sampled in storage room 217 of the Department of Iconographic Collections 267

8.20 Costs of use of the external disinfection chamber 271

8.21 Results of microbiological evaluation of large objects of the Department of Iconographic Collections 276

10.1 Basis for planning the time for activity per month. These are the percentage values of time that may be usedtogether with time values calculated for periodical reports 326

10.2 Pattern of the register of the 90 mm Petri dishes in use bper conservators performing the microbiological sampling of the objects on a current basis 330

10.3 Pattern of the table of post usage in time by the conservators performing the microbiological sampling of the objects 330

10.4 Pattern of the list/table of the dishes ordered 331

10.5 Disinfection system of the National Library of Poland 331

10.6 The dangerous agents 332

10.7 Summary (no furniture, installations, room adaptation, exploitation costs) 341

10.8 Registration of the object in the Auxiliary documentation 354

10.9 The Evaluation Chart of the Object 355

10.10 Office Instruction of the National Library 355

10.11 Home unit ordering the evaluation or disinfection 356

10.12 Auxiliary documentation – microbiological evaluation of the objects in the Conservation Laboratory-Department 357

10.13 Date of the Closing of the case and Comments 358

10.14 Chart of Microbiological Evaluation or Disinfection of the Object 358

10.15 Home unit ordering the evaluation or disinfection 360

10.16 Isolation of micro-organisms with the contact method (impress with sterile filtration paper) along with simultaneous sampling on the Sabouraud medium 361

About the author

Bogdan Filip Zerek gained his MSc in 2004, in Environmental Biology, specializing in Mycology, at the Faculty of Biology, University