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According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, mold spores are part of the air we breathe. Spores are on almost every surface we encounter. Some forms of mold are beneficial: antibiotics and some foods are two examples where mold has improved our lives.

Too often, mold grows in unwelcome places. It can be hard to prevent mold growth in humid climates. Building mold is a growing concern, with plenty of literature available to address this issue. Mold will grow anywhere with hospitable conditions. The presence of enough moisture is a key factor in mold growth.

Mold prevention in a library centers around controlling moisture and removing sources of spores that will contribute to additional mold growth.

Assessing Mold Risks
Signs of a Compromised Building
Collection Maintenance

 

Books Gone Bad - Mold in Library Collections was a project sponsored by Maine College of Art, in partnership with the Joanne Waxman Library. Funding for this project came from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The Project Lead and Artist for this project was Diane J. Wren. All contents Copyright © 2011 by Diane J. Wren. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Diane J. Wren.