Preserving 100,000 comic books at the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress was faced with a challenge: 100,000 comic books in their collection were at risk for damage and deterioration due to their highly acidic paper and older housing. Existing pre-made comic enclosures posed risks, and the deacidification of comics had not been attempted on such a large scale. The Library of Congress collaborated with Preservation Technologies, L.P. and an enclosure manufacturer to create an effective preservation plan addressing the unique needs of comic books.

Curators, preservation administrators, and conservators from the Library of Congress worked closely with Preservation Technologies’ staff to evaluate potential effects of deacidification and determine optimal handling methods. After extensive tests and meetings it was decided that the comics could be safely and successfully deacidified on a mass scale, with no harm to the pages or covers, and no transfer of inks. Treatment holders were devised, and the tracking software was modified for the new format.

Of equal importance to the comics’ preservation was their housing. Preservation Technologies approached a number of manufacturers about developing new enclosures for the collection. After several months, the Library of Congress accepted a prototype sleeve design from Metal Edge, Inc. The design is simple and effective, combining ease of use, viewing without handling, and archival protection. The sleeve is made with a buffered, heavyweight material that is supportive and resists tears yet is gentle on the comic covers. It is closed on two sides, allowing easy, safe insertion of the comic, and has flaps on the top and side to secure it in place. The polyester windowpane cover allows the user to view the item without handling it. The enclosures take up only slightly more space than the comic alone, take seconds to use, and can be produced in large quantities at a reasonable cost.

Lastly, a smooth and efficient workflow was developed that minimized the Library of Congress’ time and costs. Preservation Technologies’ staff in Washington D.C. receives the comics and packs and ships them to the main plant in Cranberry Township, PA. There they are deacidified and housed, and each new enclosure is barcoded. When the rehoused comics are shipped back, Library of Congress staff inspects them and reshelves them in a climate-controlled vault. Testing continues at both the Library of Congress and Preservation Technologies to ensure the continuous high quality and safety of the process.

Return to Collaborations