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Routine inspections of collections help identify early signs of deterioration such as

discoloration, warping, pest trails, or weakened bindings. Early detection enables prompt action
and reduces restoration costs.

Documentation and tracking are essential. Maintenance logs, temperature-humidity charts,
and cleaning reports help track care and identify recurring issues. This documentation also aids

in reporting for audits, funding, or institutional accountability.

Routine maintenance is not a one-time event but a continuous cycle of care, requiring
attention, training, and institutional commitment.

Preservation and Curative Measures in Libraries

Preservation and curative measures go hand in hand with routine maintenance but differ in

their scope. While maintenance prevents damage, preservation is about long-term protection,

and curative measures are about correcting existing damage.

Preservation strategies are proactive. One of the most widely adopted measures is the use of

archival-quality storage materials such as acid-free boxes, buffered folders, and polyester
sleeves. These materials protect fragile documents from physical damage and buffer them

against environmental pollutants.

Another essential strategy is digitization, which reduces the need for physical handling. By

scanning rare or heavily used materials, libraries preserve original copies and make the digital

versions available for users. Digitization also allows for redundancy through backups, thus
protecting against data loss or disasters.

Binding and re-binding of books are also common preservation activities. Replacing
deteriorated covers, resewing sections, and reinforcing spines enhance a book’s durability.

However, such interventions must be done using archival-grade adhesives and reversible

techniques, to make sure future restorations remain possible.

But curative measures are applied after damage has occurred. Deacidification treatments are

performed on acidic paper to neutralize pH levels and slow down degradation. Solutions like
magnesium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate are commonly used in laboratory settings.

Though expensive, these treatments can extend the life of valuable materials by decades.

Repair of torn pages, reconstruction of damaged covers, and treatment of mold or pest-

infested materials are also part of curative care. Libraries with specialized conservation labs

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