Question

Deterioration of multimedia resource in the Library

Answer 1

Materials deteriorate as a result of:

(i) Internal or inherent vices and

(ii) External agents of deterioration

i. Internal or inherent vices are caused by weakness in the chemical or physical

make-up of an object introduced during its manufacture. Early paper was made

from clean lines, cotton, flax and strong fibers. It was not treated with bleaching

agents and was not sized with rosin and alum. This type of paper was permanent,

durable and was chemically and physically strong enough to endure the wear and

tear of the ages. Modern paper (paper produced since 19th century) has wood

pulp as its basic raw materials instead of cotton and line rages. The wood pulp is

bleached with chlorine and the paper sized with alum and rosin. This makes the

paper acidic thereby placing the paper in a low PH condition Ph is a symbol used

to signify the degree of acidity or alkalinity of any organic material.

i. The external agents can be classified as:

a. Biological causes

b. Environmental causes

c. Chemical causes

d. Mechanical causes