View original postI have about three books that I really, truly like that smell sort of mildewy ("old book smell"). I have heard that freezing will destroy the smell but "not the spores". My library is very dry - humidity is probably around 25% - but I don't want spores all over it. I already have the spots for the books in places where they will have limited exposure to other books, but am I running a risk? Is there anything else I can do? I've read about this on the Internet but haven't gotten any definitive answers.
I'm sure most of the libraries in New York have teams dedicated to book preservation. Maybe a private library would be more advisable than one of the public ones.
"I mean, if everyone had a soul, there would be no contrast by which we could appreciate it. For giving us this perspective, we thank you." - Nate
Question on books with mildewy smell
- 14/10/2013 08:57:45 PM
1185 Views
Probably not the answer you're looking for.
- 15/10/2013 01:37:19 PM
1198 Views
If a new copy were available I already would have bought it. *NM*
- 15/10/2013 02:44:18 PM
574 Views
Could you keep them in a cupboard?
- 15/10/2013 05:47:20 PM
1055 Views
I am freezing them, but they say that doesn't get rid of the spores.
- 15/10/2013 07:39:19 PM
805 Views
Freezing won't kill them but heat will
- 16/10/2013 03:09:33 AM
1058 Views
Won't an hour in the oven ruin the book? I'm assuming massive browning of pages, etc...
- 16/10/2013 03:16:26 AM
858 Views
There's a few tricks
- 16/10/2013 05:01:51 AM
1017 Views
How about vacuum sealing the books, and putting them in a warm water bath for a few hours?
- 16/10/2013 07:34:21 PM
884 Views
Kind of a weird idea
- 16/10/2013 11:34:42 PM
881 Views
Maybe it would be worth contacting a library?
- 29/10/2013 04:09:31 PM
927 Views