Impact of Food & Drink on the Library Collection

How you can prevent damage to items in your local library.

Have you ever come across a book that looks like this in your library?

chances are you’ll be caught wondering… what that is all over those pages???

What is preservation?

This is why we need preservation….

Activities associated with maintaining library materials

for use, either in original physical form or in some other

format. Preservation includes both activities taken to repair or treat damaged materials and activities taken to

prevent or delay material becoming damaged.

Why libraries need

preservation

To avoid losing access to items in the

collection due to damage

To help slow the deterioration of library

collection

To ensure that our collection remains integral, authentic

and reliable

Ultimately, so that you can still use and

access reliable information in the

future!

How does drinking and eating while using library items affect them?

Spilling drink on library items may result in water/liquid damage and

stains

Items may become mouldy and unusable,

and possibly have to be removed from the library collection.

Drinking around library items….

This is what can happen when you eat or drink around library items

There is a decrease in attractiveness of item, reducing the amount of use by

other users

Spilling food or liquid on library

items may lead to mould growth and the withdrawal of

items from the collection

Spilling food on library items may

attract rodents such as rats that can destroy our

library collection

Eating while reading may cause damage to items as sticky fingers can leave greasy

stains

You’ll help preserve the library’s collection if you avoid eating and drinking around library

items and also….

You’ll be greeted

with a nice clean

book

Instead of…. Finding it covered in someone else's dinner

You can help us preserve our library collection by following a few simple steps when borrowing library items….

How you can help preserve our collection

■ Avoid drinking and eating around library items when using them in your home;

■ If consuming beverages around library items, then they should be covered or in a spill-proof container;

■ Report all accidental spills on library items to library staff immediately on return of item and;

■ Ensure that all unwanted drinks and food are placed into bins and not left on tables in and around the library.