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PRESERVATION <br /> P RO CESS <br /> THE RECORDS <br /> PRESERVATION PROCESS <br /> For all types of records, including bound books, the first step is to stop <br /> further deterioration, by deacidifying the pages or documents. The <br /> deacidification process interrupts acidic activity and leaves a buffer of <br /> • magnesium carbonate (alkaline reserve) to guard against future <br /> deterioration. Deacidification also stops iron gall ink "burning" and fading <br /> and adds fold endurance to the paper fibers. In addition to all pages being <br /> cleaned, weak and torn pages or leaves are repaired with archival, acid-free, <br /> and reversible adhesives and materials. <br /> Bound books are carefully disbound and separated into individual leaves. <br /> Each leaf goes through the same deacidification, cleaning, and repair <br /> process. Once the repair and deacidification process is complete, the pages <br /> are checked for proper pagination and carefully hand sewn on traditional <br /> sewing frames into archival quality bindings. <br /> Documents or book leaves that are particularly fragile or brittle often <br /> require encapsulation. After deacidification, cleaning, and mending, the <br /> document or leaf is "encapsulated" in an archival quality capsule of Melinex <br /> 5169 or equivalent stable base polyester film. This material is completely <br /> inert, and contains no plasticizers or stabilizers to break down and degrade <br /> the documents. Capsules are radio welded on three sides, the document <br /> inserted, and then radio welded on the fourth side. Capsules may then be <br /> • punched and inserted into permanent record loose leaf post binders. <br />