AIC's 52nd Annual Meeting

An unexpected consequence for libraries is to have books returned with an unusual odor, such as cigarette smoke or smoke from a fire or cat urine. Before these books can be offered to another patron, they must be cleaned and deodorized.



Fortunately, universities have research facilities that can analyze odors and help to determine the best approach. In collaboration with the Penn State University Food Science Department, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to compare the results of several common methods of odor removal.



The study compares baking soda, kitty litter, Gonzo (a volcanic absorbent stone), microchamber paper, as well as other techniques. These methods were compared with a chamber connected to a common air scrubber used by many disaster restoration companies.

The final poster will show the results of the collaboration between the local Fire Department, Food Science Department and the University Libraries’ Conservation Centre.