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Telling an old book by its smell: Aroma hints at ways of preserving treasured documents

WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 10, 2009 — Scientists may not be able to tell a good book by its cover, but they now can tell the condition of an old book by its odor. In a report published in the American Chemical Society’s Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal, they describe development of a new test that can measure the degradation of old books and precious historical documents on the basis of their aroma. The non-destructive ”sniff” test could help libraries and museums preserve a range of prized paper-based objects, some of which are degrading rapidly due to advancing age, the scientists say.

Matija Strlič and colleagues note in the new study that the well-known musty smell of an old book, as readers leaf through the pages, is the result of hundreds of so-called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air from the paper.

“The aroma of an old book is familiar to every user of a traditional library,” the report notes. “A combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness, this unmistakable smell is as much a part of the book as its contents. It is the result of the several hundred VOCs off-gassing from paper and the object in general. The particular blend of compounds is a result of a network of degradation pathways and is dependent on the original composition of the object including paper substrate, applied media, and binding.”

Those substances hold clues to the paper’s condition, they say. Conventional methods for analyzing library and archival materials involve removing samples of the document and then testing them with traditional laboratory equipment. But this approach involves damage to the document.

The new technique — an approach called “material degradomics” — analyzes the gases emitted by old books and documents without altering the documents themselves. The scientists used it to “sniff” 72 historical papers from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the papers contained rosin (pine tar) and wood fiber, which are the most rapidly degrading types of paper found in old books. The scientists identified 15 VOCs that seem good candidates as markers to track the degradation of paper in order to optimize their preservation. The method also could help preserve other historic artifacts, they add.

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CONTACT:
Matija Strlič, Ph.D.
University College London
Centre for Sustainable Heritage
The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
London, England
Email: m.strlic@ucl.ac.uk

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 154,000 members, ACS is the world’s largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Though a little hard to read and rather quaint in appearance, typed on an old manual typewriter, this scanned masterpiece describes precisely many of the same challenges libraries face today: a changing user population, use of multi-media, librarians and pedagogy, instructional services, and physical design.  It really is a remarkable document.  If nothing else, it reminds that while we sometimes think of our predecessors as a bunch fogey-ish catalog card filers, they faced difficult challenges in trying to redefine the role of the library in a changing environment.  And what will the librarians 40 years from now think of the current crop of fogies?

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M

The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) seeks an experienced writer or editor to assist in the production and eventually take over as editor of LLAMA’s quarterly journal, Library Leadership & Management (LL&M).  Presently the journal is operating with a co-editorship model that is working quite well, and may be a model for a new approach to producing content for LL&M.  Applications for a shared editorship role are encouraged.

With the Winter 2010 issue, LL&M is transitioning from a print and electronic model to a web-only publication.  We anticipate that the next several years will offer opportunities for the journal to grow in new directions and employ more graphics, media, and interactivity.  The associate editor will be responsible for working closely with the editor in developing and producing each issue and will establish relationships with the Publications Editorial Advisory Board, LLAMA Executive Board, and LLAMA Section and Committee chairs.  This will include producing and editing content, identifying appropriate topics for publication, and assisting authors in developing manuscripts.   More detailed responsibilities are in a public document on ALA Connect, titled LL&M Associate Editor Expectations http://connect.ala.org/node/84638.  Submissions to the journal are invited, accepted, reviewed, and chosen by the editor assisted by the associate editor. 

After a two-year term as associate editor, the incumbent will take over duties as editor for two years (2013 – 2014).  The associate editor serves as an ex-officio member of the LLAMA Board of Directors and the Publications Editorial Advisory Board. The first issue for which the newly appointed associate editor will share responsibility will be volume 26, no. 1.

Applicants must be LLAMA members and have experience within ALA.   They are expected to have  knowledge of LLAMA and its goals, have an interest in and knowledge of leadership issues relevant to libraries, and a familiarity with management and leadership literature in general.  Applicants must have written and published in a print or electronic environment and/or have demonstrated editorial experience.  Applicants should have familiarity with technological resources, such as blogs, social websites, and content management systems, as well as knowledge of emerging technologies in publishing. 

The successful candidate must make a four-year commitment to attend ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference meetings, with emphasis on attending LLAMA section and committee meetings. A stipend up to $1,500 annually will be provided to cover documented travel and/or editorial expenses.  Conference registration costs will be covered as well. 

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter summarizing their editorial philosophy, two to four samples of written work or editorial activities, and three letters of reference addressing their qualifications.  In case of co-editorship applications, a single cover letter with individual resumes, writing samples, and letters of reference should be sent, with one individual identified as the primary contact.  Materials should be sent in electronic form to: Kerry Ward, LLAMA Executive Director at kward@ala.org.  The deadline for application is May 1, 2010. Finalists will be interviewed at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

But nothing has the potential reach of the blog, and one wonders how the future of personal and immediate publishing will develop.  Twitters and tweets.  What’s next?

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M

An Examination of the Role of Participatory Management in Academic Special Collections Departments
Garth D. Reese Jr.

Creating an Effective New Employee Orientation Program

Karen Wallace

Perspectives on Leadership

An Interview with Ginnie Cooper
Mary Augusta Thomas

An Interview with Irene Owens
Eric C. Shoaf

An Interview with Mark Herring
Jane Duffy

An Interview with Peter Northouse
Wendi Arant Kaspar

Implementing a “Holistic” Approach to Collection Development
James P. Kusik and Mark A. Vargas

Assessing Library Services
A Practical Guide for the Non-Expert
Lisa R. Horowitz

Our regular colunnists are included as well, and there a two book reviews.  Readers will need to log on to the website for complete access. 

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M

Now we have entered a period where the notion of paying for content has become accepted.  As such, we have reached the level of critical radiant flux for perceptions of web content.  It has gotten hot enough that the future will bring further monetization of content delivery. Product ads and commercials already litter the online landscape and a screenshot for most business oriented webpages is now framed by clickable advertisements.  Server space isn’t free.  People who create content for the web use their own time and many expect to be compensated (your humble scribe excepted).  The new name of the game is subscription services that charge for content.  You want access, you gotta pay.  This is a concept that has been embraced in many cases by the journalism business (newspapers and magazines) as it meets the dual challenges of decreasing readership and fewer advertising dollars, while even their relevancy has come into question.  In order to survive, these print powerhouses will have to transition to an online environment where they have to charge for a product that, until now, they have given away for free on the internet.  It will be a tough sell.

There are other views.  A new book by Chris Anderson questions the notion that online consumers of information and ideas can be converted to subscribers who pay for content.  Apparently much of human behavior is driven by notions of scarcity and abundance that are buried deep in our brains from points early in our evolution.  Cost correlates with the notion of scarcity, but free brings with it the idea of abundance.  A rather detailed review of the book appears here.  For libraries, of course, everything has always been free, at least as far as serving the public good.  This is what libraries are about.  There is a cost, borne by either municipalities or academic institutions in many cases but collected from payers in other forms.  New notions of pay for content are not new in libraries at all.  We have been buying databases with full-text articles and e-books for some time.  We know about pay for content, and we accept and expect it.  As such, librarians are the trend setters in this area.

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M

Now Baker has published a lengthy, and highly detailed, review of the Kindle device in the New Yorker magazine dated August 3, 2009.  In it, he uncovers some of the Kindle’s useful attributes such as immediate downloading of content and improvements made to issues that plagued the first release of the Kindle.  But Baker points out, in his meticulous style, a dozen (probably more than that, but then it would not be possible to have the catchy title above) concerns with the Kindle reader and presently available content.  Chief among those are: missing or unreadable illustrations, missing content from newspapers (rather ironic, see above!), a gray screen that he found difficult to read, and some screen fade in sunlight.  Baker doesn’t much care for the Kindle, but it is more the device than a dislike of e-books.  In fact, he makes the case that there are other less-popular and well-advertised devices available right now and he argues that the Apple iPod, with a Kindle application installed, is easier to use and no more difficult to read than the Kindle.

There may or may not be significance to libraries here.  But before librarians run out and buy lots of Kindles to loan to their tech-savvy patrons, they may want to consider the rather short lifespan of such technology.  The cutting edge is a precipitous place to be.  It may be a number of years before all the issues tied up in e-books will be sorted.  Worth the wait?  Maybe.  But recall that there are millions of iPods and iPhones already in use.  Technology to beam content into those devices would certainly trump having to purchase new equipment on which to do the same, and be better for the environment at the same time.

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M

    LLAMA Leaders Orientation at the ALA annual meeting.

     Video of part of a presentation at the LLAMA Leaders orientation.

Moving In, Moving Up, and Moving On: Strategies for Regenerating the Library & Information Profession

Registration has opened for this satellite conference being held in the beautiful and historic city of Bologna.  The conference venue is Santa Cristina, an ex-convent which has been converted into teaching and conference space by the University of Bologna – itself the world’s oldest university.

The broad focus of this satellite meeting is the creation of a positive work environment for a multi-generational workforce.  Program highlights include:

*       Keynote speeches from Alex Byrne (University Librarian at Sydney University of Technology and past-President of IFLA) and Tracie Hall (Assistant Dean, Dominican University GSLIS)

*       Proceedings (which will be available at the conference as part of registration) containing over 30 peer-reviewed papers

*       As a joint conference between two established IFLA groups there will be plenty of opportunity to network with young professionals and more established librarians from around the world, and a chance to learn from each other

*       In addition there are presentations, discussion, posters and workshops covering a variety of topics including:

o       international perspectives on aspects of developing the LIS workforce for changing roles from Nigeria, Italy, Ireland, India, South America, Portugal, Netherlands, Australia, USA, South Africa

o       inter-generational working, workforce planning and succession planning

o       aspects of mentoring including transitional mentoring for new professionals to peer coaching

o       aspects of leadership, reluctant leaders, developing leadership skills

o       practical workshops on developing skills for progression

In addition there will be a visit to Salaborsa Library followed by the conference dinner.  Salaborsa is a monumental palace located inside Palazzo d’Accursio, the ancient seat of the Bologna municipality. Ancient ruins dating back to the VII century B.C. can be seen under its glass pavement.

Bologna is in Emilia Romagna, the food capital of Italy, come and enjoy the local food within the peaceful setting of the cloisters of Santa Cristina.

The registration form and accommodation details are available here.

Additional info can be obtained from Conference Convenors roisin.gwyer@port.ac.uk and loidagarciafebo@gmail.com.

Magazine and newspaper advertising has been shrinking along with the economy.  Not an unusual circumstance, but this time there is a difference because alternatives exist that were previously unavailable.  One option:  merge the print magazine with online added-value portion and charge a subscription.  Convert your present subscribers, and try to grab web site visitors.  Sell ads and make money on both the subscription and advertising revenue.  Its already happening.

Over at the ESPN sports network, the ten-year-old print magazine is about to be abandoned and merged with the online ‘added value’ version of same.  The difference?  The online edition will no longer be free, but rather available through subscription only.  Whether or not this will be successful is not clear.  Web users have gotten used to having information for free, and, while most are willing to wade through ads along the margin of the web page, they may be unwilling to pay for web content.  On the other hand, why should web publishing be and different from print in terms of the subscription model?  LL&M is near the end of its transition to full electronic mode (coming in December 2009) and even though advertising is not really part of the equation, the value derived from online publishing cannot be ignored.  A real webvantage (and isn’t it always the case that just when you think you’ve coined a cool new term, someone else already thought of it) is the added value of graphics, sound, video, clickable links.  It is like more for your money at the same price.

Newspapers are learning that you can’t aways survive by giving your product away for free, and that ad money won’t always cover costs of developing content.  Obviously, the who thing has quite a way to go before it is played out.  The case with ESPN’s online magazine will be an interesting test case.

Eric C. Shoaf

Editor, LL&M