Portuguese archives and libraries: a century of preservation and conservation practices for the control of biodeterioration

Conceição Casanova; Ana Catarina Pinheiro

doi:10.14568/cp2020004

Authors

Conceição Casanova Departamento de Conservação e Restauro, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal; LAQV – REQUIMTE, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Campus Caparica, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9889-381X
Ana Catarina Pinheiro Laboratório Hércules  Herança Cultural, Estudos e Salvaguarda, Universidade de Évora, Palácio do Vimioso, Largo Marquês de Marialva, 8, 7000-809 Évora, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7194-5496

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14568/cp2020004

Keywords:

Biodeterioration, Preventive Conservation, Archives, Libraries, Contamination, Sustainability

Abstract

Biodeterioration has been a central subject for libraries and archives. Throughout the ages, different preventive and curative conservation measures were adopted to manage biodeterioration in Portuguese institutions, but the problem persists. A historic review of different methodologies used to prevent biodeterioration in the Portuguese context is
presented and compared to international trends. It focuses on theories and practices of paper conservation on par with their evolution and a comparison between the art collectors’ world and libraries and archives is also made. Biodeterioration management has always been a major concern, namely amid librarians and archivists, among the first ones to endorse the implementation of preservation policies. Although preservation awareness has a relatively long history, it is vital to encourage a better understanding of it at the decision-making level. In fact, the implementation of preventive conservation strategies continues to be unsatisfactory, despite the current sustainability issues and the dangers of handling contaminated documentation.

Received: 2020-1-23
Revised: 2020-4-28
Accepted: 2020-5-28
Online: 2020-5-28
Publication: 2021-2-10

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Pinniger, D., Insect Pests In Museums, 3rd ed., Archetype Publications Limited, London (1994).

[2] Karlsson, S.; Albertsson, A., 'Biodegradable polymers and environmental interaction', Polymer Engineering and Science, 38 (8) (2004) 1251-1253, https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.10294.

[3] Guillitte, O., ‘Bioreceptivity – a new concept for building ecology studies’, Science of the Total Environment 167 (1995) 215-220, https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04582-L.

[4] Sequeira, S.; Cabrita, E.; Macedo, F., ‘Antifungals on paper conservation: An overview’, International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 74 (2012) 67-86, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.07.011.

[5] Allsopp, D.; Seal, K.; Gaylarde, C., Introduction to Biodeterioration, 2nd ed., Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England.

[6] Valdés-Pérez, O.; Borrego-Alonso, S.; Vivar-González, I.; Anaya-Villalpanda, M.; Molina-Veloso, A., ‘Actividade antifúngica del aceite esencial de clavo de olor en el control del biodeterioro fúngico de documentos’, Revista CENIC Ciencias Biológicas 47(2) (2016) 78-85.

[7] Pool, M.; Odegaard, N.; Huber, M., ‘Identifying the pesticides: pesticide names, classification and history of use’, in Old Poisons, New Problems: A Museum Resource for Managing Contaminated Cultural Material, ed. N. Odegaard and A. S. Alyce, Altamira Press (2005) 5-31.

[8] Mallo, A.; Nitiu, D.; Elíades, L.; Saparrat, M., ‘Fungal degradation of cellulosic materials used as support for Cultural Heritage’, International Journal of Conservation Science 8(4) (2017) 619-632, http://ijcs.ro/public/IJCS-17-59_Mallo.pdf.

[9] Pasquariello, G.; Valentin, P.; Maggi, O.; Persiani, A., ‘Biodeterioration processes in relation to cultural heritage materials’, in Plant Biology for Cultural Heritage: Biodeterioration and Conservation, ed. G. Caneva, M.P. Nugari and M. P. Salvadori, Getty Conservation Institute (2009) 108-113.

[10] Gallo, F.; Pasquariello, G., ‘Biological investigation on sizings for permanent papers', Restaurator 19 (1998) 61-84, https://doi.org/10.1515/rest.1998.19.2.61.

[11] Valentin, N., ‘Microbial contamination in archives and museums: health hazards and preventive strategies using air ventilation systems’, in Proceedings of the Experts' Roundtable on Sustainable Climate Management Strategies, Spain (2007) 1-26.

[12] Choi, S., ‘Foxing on paper: A literature review’, Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 46 (2) (2007) 137-152, https://doi.org/10.1179/019713607806112378.

[13] Arai, H., ‘Foxing caused by Fungi: twenty-five years of study’, International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 46 (3) (2000) 181-188, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00063-9.

[14] Bonnardot, A., Essai Sur L'art de Restaurer les Estampes et les Livres, 2nd ed., Castel, Paris (1858), https://archive.org/details/essaisurlartdere00bonn.

[15] Macedo, M., Restauração de Quadros e Gravuras, ed. David Corazzi, Lisboa (1885).

[16] Ribeiro, J. P., Observações Historicas e Criticas para Servirem de Memorias ao Systema da Diplomatica Portugueza, Parte 1, Typografia da Academia Real das Sciencias, Lisboa (1798).

[17] Constantin, L-A., Bibliothéconomie ou, Nouveau Manuel Complet Pour L’arrangement, la Conservation et L’administration des Bibliothèques, Librarie Encyclopédique de Roret, Paris (1841).

[18] Casanova, C., ‘A century of paper conservation and the development of the professional status of the conservator’, in Proceedings of the 16th Triennial Conference ICOM-CC, Lisbon (2011) 1-8.

[19] Casanova, C. ‘What do we need? Education, ethics, new values or a different perception for the profession!’, in New Approaches to Book and Paper Conservation-Restoration, ed. P. Engel, R. Larsen, I. Kecskeméti, V. Berger, Horn/Viena (2011) 45-66.

[20] Lambert, S., ‘The early history of preventive conservation in Great Britain and the United States (1850–1950)’, CeROArt 9 (2014), https://journals.openedition.org/ceroart/3765.

[21] Marberly, J., The Print Collector: an Introduction to the Knowledge Necessary for Forming a Collection of Ancient Prints: Remarks on the Ancient and Modern Practice of the Art and A catalogue Raisonné of Books, Landers & Otley, London (1844).

[22] Poulsson, T. G., Retouching of Art on Paper, Archetype, London (2008).

[23] Clarke, B., ‘Searching for evidence of 19th century print restoration’, in Past practice-future prospects, ed. A. Oddy and S. Smith, British Museum Press, London (2001) 49-55.

[24] Ris-Paquot, O. E., L’art de Restaurer les Tableaux Anciens et Modernes Ainsi que les Gravures, Chez l’Auteur, Amiens (1873).

[25] Ris-Paquot, O. E., Guide Pratique du Restaurateur-Amateur de Tableaux, Gravures, Dessins, Pastels, Miniatures, Henri Laurens (Ed), Paris (1890).

[26] Gunn, M. J., Print Restoration and Picture Cleaning: an Illustrated Practical Guide to the Restoration of all Kinds of Prints, L. Upcott Gill, London (1911).

[27] Beaufort, T. R., Pictures & How to Clean Them. To Which are Added Notes on Things Useful in Restoration Work, John Lane, London (1926).

[28] Lucanus, Fr. G. H., Die Praxis des Restaurators: vollständige Anleitung zur Erhaltung, Reinigung und Wiederherstellung von Gemälden, Aquarellen, Kupferstichen, etc, 5th ed., ed. Hans Böhm, Zentralantiquariat der DDR, Leipzig (1982).

[29] Morgana, M., Restauro dei Libri Antichi, Ulrico Hoepli, Milano (1932).

[30] Schweidler, M., The restoration of engravings, drawings, books, and other works on paper, ed. Roy Perkinson, Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles (2006).

[31] Plenderleith, H. J., The Conservation Of Prints, Drawings And Manuscripts, Published for the Museums Association, Oxford University Press, London (1937).

[32] Flieder, F., La Conservation De Documents Graphiques: Recherches Expérimentales, Eyrolles, Paris (1969).

[33] Jenkinson, H., A Manual on Archive Administration, Milford, London (1922).

[34] Maire, A., Manuel Pratique du Bibliothècare, Alphonse Picard et Fils Éditeurs, Paris (1896).

[35] Casanova, C., ‘De artífice a cientista. Evolução da conservação e do estatuto profissional do conservador-restaurador de documentos gráficos no AHU (1926-2006)’, tese de doutoramento, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa (2012), https://run.unl.pt/handle/10362/8777.

[36] Saraiva, F. M. J., ‘Dois objectos se devem ter prezentes, quando se trata de qualquer cartório, 1º A conservação dos títulos, 2º A sua ordem e arranjamento’, Arquivo de Bibliografia Portuguesa 2 (12) (1957) 219-220.

[37] Azevedo, P., ‘Meios de defesa dos archivos’, O Arqueólogo Português, Série 1, 13 (1908) 1-6.

[38] Noronha, J. F., ‘Relatorio àcerca da Bibliotheca Nacional e mais estabelecimentos annexos’ dirigido ao Exm.º Sr. Ministro e Secretario d'Estado dos Negocios do Reino no 1º de janeiro de 1844, Vol. 1, Typographia Lusitana, Lisboa (1844), http://purl.pt/242.

[39] Bandeira, A. M. L., Pergaminho e Papel em Portugal: Tradição e Conservação, Associação da Indústria Papeleira / Associação Portuguesa de Bibliotecários, Arquivistas e Documentalistas, Lisboa (1995).

[40] Ferrão, A., Os Arquivos E As Bibliotecas Em Portugal, Imprensa da Universidade, Coimbra (1920).

[41] Moniz, J., Summario das Lições de Bibliologia: Curso de Bibliothecario-Archivista, 2nd ed., Inspecção Geral das Bibliothecas e Archivos Públicos, Coimbra (1900).

[42] Sampaio, E. J. F., Contribuição para o Estudo da Entomofauna do Livro em Portugal: Situação Sanitária das Bibliotecas e Arquivos, Inspecção Superior das Bibliotecas e Arquivos, Lisboa (1960).

[43] Sampaio, E. J. F., Pais Morais, J., Determinação da Taxa de Incidência do Ataque de Bibliófagos, Inspecção Superior das Bibliotecas e Arquivos, Lisboa (1962).

[44] Alves, M. L.; Esteves, L., ‘Levantamento do estado sanitário das bibliotecas e arquivos’, in 2º Congresso Nacional de Bibliotecários, Arquivistas e Documentalistas. A integração Europeia: Um desafio à informação, Livraria Minerva, Coimbra (1987) 349-420.

[45] Casanova, C., ‘A conservação do património arquivístico’, in Actas do 3º Congresso de Bibliotecários, Arquivistas e Documentalistas, 1º vol., Lisboa (1990) 85-89.

[46] Decreto-lei Nº 936, Diário do Govêrno - N. º 183/1914, SÉRIE I DE 1914-10-08.

[47] Worthing, C. R.; Hance, R. J., The Pesticide Manual, A World Compendium, 9th ed., British Crop Protection Council, Farnham (1991).

[48] Santos, S. C., ‘O arquivo do Hospital de S. José’, Anais das Bibliotecas e Arquivos 1 (1) (Jan.-Mar. 1920) 129-135, http://purl.pt/258/2/bad-1510-v_01/bad-1510-v_01_item2/P240.html.

[49] Baynes-Cope, A. D., ‘The choice of biocides for library and archival material’, in Biodeterioration of Materials, vol. 2, Applied Science Publications Ltd., New York (1971) 381-83.

[50] Gallo, F., ‘Aspetti della lotta preventiva e curativa contro i microrganismi dannosi al materiale bibliografico e archivistico’, Bolletino dell'Istituto di patologia del libro 22 (1963) 29-66.

[51] Valentin, N.; García Ortega, R., ‘El biodeterioro en el museo’, Arbor 164 (1999) 85-107.

[52] Zervos, S.; Alexopoulou, I., ‘Paper conservation methods: A literature review´, Cellulose, 5 (2015) 1-60, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-015-0699-7.

[53] Sampaio, A. F. de; Como Devo Formar A Minha Biblioteca: Ensaio, Sá da Costa, Lisboa (1938).

[54] Craig, R., ‘Alternative approaches to the treatment of mould biodeterioration - an international problem’, Paper Conservator, 10 (1986) 27-30, https://doi.org/10.1080/03094227.1986.9638528.

[55] Flieder, F., ‘Action des différents produits fongicides et insecticides, utilisés en conservation sur la résistance physico-chimique des papiers’, in 5th Joint Meeting of The ICOM Committee for Museum Laboratories and of the Sub-Committee for the Care of Paintings, ICOM, New York (1965) 1-46.

[56] Haines, J. H.; Kohler, S.A., ‘An evaluation of ortho-phenyl phenol as a fungicidal fumigant for archives and libraries’, Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 25 (1986) 49-55.

[57] Gustafson, R. A.; Modaresi, I. R.; Hampton, G. V.; Chepesiuk, R. J.; Kelley, G. A., 'Fungicidal efficacy of selected chemicals in thymol cabinet', Journal of American Institute for Conservation 29 (1990) 153-168, https://doi.org/10.2307/3179580.

[58] Strassberg, R., ‘The use of fumigants in archival repositories’, The American Archivist 4 (1978) 25-6, https://doi.org/10.17723/aarc.41.1.n53p501435534314.

[59] Daniels, V., Boyd, B., ‘The yellowing of thymol in the display of prints’, Studies in Conservation, 31 (1986) 156-58, https://doi.org/10.2307/1506246.

[60] Isbell, L. H., ‘The effects of thymol on paper, pigments, and media’, Abbey Newsletter 21 (1997) 39-43.

[61] Karpouhtsis, I.; Pardali, E.; Feggou, E.; Kokkini, S.; Scouras, Z. G.; Mavragani Tsipidou, P., ‘Insecticidal and genotoxic activities of oregano essential oils’, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 46 (1998)1111-15, https://doi.org/10.1021/jf9708220.

[62] Hough, W. A. M., ‘The preservation of museum specimens from insects and the effects of dampness’, in Annual report of the board of regents of the Smithsonian Institution for the year ending June 30, 1887, Pt.2, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (1889) 549–58.

[63] Carson, R.; Silent Spring, 1st ed., Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston (1962).

[64] Pinniger, D.; Harmon, J., ‘Pest management, preservation and control’ in Care and conservation of Natural History Collections, ed. D. Carter, A. Walker, Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, (1999) 152-76.

[65] D'Amato, C.; Torres, J.; Malm, O., ‘DDT (dicloro difenil tricloroetano): toxicidade e contaminação ambiental - uma revisão’, Química Nova [online] 25 (6a) (2002) 995-1002, http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422002000600017.

[66] Mabuchi, H.; Sano, C., ‘Residual bromine on materials fumigated with methyl bromide’, Science for Conservation, 43 (2004) 43-46.

[67] Kigawa, R.; Strang, T.; Hayakawa, N.;Yoshida, N.; Kimura, H.; Young, G., 'Investigation of Effects of Fumigants on Proteinaceous Components of Museum Objects (Muscle, Animal Glue and Silk) in Comparison with Other Non-chemical Pest Eradicating Measures', Studies in Conservation, 56 (3) (2011) 191-215, https://doi.org/10.1179/204705811X13110713013272.

[68] Ballard, M. W.; Baer, N. S., ‘Ethylene Oxide Fumigation: Results and Risk Assessment’, Restaurator, 7 (1986) 143–168, https://doi.org/10.1515/rest.1986.7.4.143.

[69] Valentin, N., ‘Biodeterioration of library materials disinfection methods and new alternatives’, The Paper Conservator 10 (1986) 40-45, https://doi.org/10.1080/03094227.1986.9638530.

[70] Hey, M.; Petherbridge, G., ‘Paper conservation processes hazardous to health’, The Paper Conservator 5-6 (1980) 5-13, https://doi.org/10.1080/03094227.1980.9638657.

[71] Tateo, F.; Bononi, M., ‘Determination of ethylene chlorohydrin as marker of spices fumigation with ethylene oxide’, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 19 (2006) 83-87, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2004.12.003.

[72] Paulus, W.; Directory of Microbicides for the Protection of Materials - A Handbook, Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands (2004).

[73] Triolo, L.; Di Trapani, R.; Santucci, L., ‘Resistenza e stabilità della carta:VII. Trattamento con composti fungicidi’, Bollettino dell’Istituto di Patologia del Libro 27 (1968) 207-224.

[74] Nittérus, M., ‘Ethanol as fungal sanitizer in paper conservation’, Restaurator, 21 (2000) 101-115, https://doi.org/10.1515/REST.2000.101.

[75] Bacílková, B., ‘Study on the effect of butanol vapours and other alcohols on fungi’, Restaurator, 27 (2006) 186-199, https://doi.org/10.1515/REST.2006.186.

[76] Sequeira, S.; Phillips, A. J. L.; Cabrita, E. J.; Macedo, M. F.; 'Ethanol as an antifungal treatment for paper: short-term and long-term effects', Studies in Conservation, 62(1) (2017) 33-42, https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2015.1137428.

[77] Pinniger, D.; Winsor, P., Integrated Pest Management, A Guide For Museums, Libraries And Archives, Museums, libraries and archives Council, London (2004).

[78] Sonoda, N., ‘Museum Environment Control for Sustainable Collection Management’, in Asian Museums and Museology 2014: International Workshop on Asian Museums and Museology in Thailand (Senri Ethnological Reports 129), eds. N. Sonoda., K.Hirai, J.Incherdchai (2015) 27‒35, http://doi.org/10.15021/00000798.

[79] ‘CSN EN 16790: Conservation of cultural heritage - Integrated pest management (IPM) for protection of cultural heritage’, in European Standards, BSI (2016), https://www.en-standard.eu/csn-en-16790-conservation-of-cultural-heritage-integrated-pest-management-ipm-for-protection-of-cultural-heritage/.

[80] Strang, T., ‘Studies in Pest Control for Cultural Property’, doctoral thesis, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg (2012), http://hdl.handle.net/2077/31500.

[81] Hocking, A. D., ‘Responses of fungi to modified atmospheres’, in Fumigation and Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Grain, ACIAR Proceedings No. 25, eds. B.R. Champ, E. Highley and H.J. Banks, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Canberra (1989) 70–82.

[82] Valentin, N.; Lidstrom, M.; Preusser, F., ‘Microbial control by low oxygen and low relative humidity environment’, Studies in Conservation, 35 (1990) 222-230, https://doi.org/10.1179/sic.1990.35.4.222.

[83] Gilberg M., ‘The Effects of Low Oxygen Atmospheres on Museum Pests’, Studies in Conservation, 36(2) (1991) 93–98, https://doi.org/10.2307/1506333.

[84] Hanlon, G.; Daniel, V.; Ravenel, N.; Maekawa, S., ‘Dynamic system for nitrogen anoxia of large museum objects: a pest eradication case study’, in 2nd International Conference on Biodeterioration of Cultural Property, Yokohama, Japan (1992).

[85] Xavier-Rowe, A.; Lauder, D., ‘Ten years of integrated pest management at English Heritage’, in Integrated Pest Management for Collections. Proceedings of 2011: A Pest Odyssey, 10 Years Later, eds. P. Winsor, D. Pinniger, L. Bacon, B. Child, K. Harris, D. Lauder, J. Phippard & A. Xavier-Rowe, Swindon, English Heritage (2011) 10- 15.

[86] Brimblecombe, P.; Lankester, P., ‘Long-term changes in climate and insect damage in historic houses’, Studies in Conservation 58(1) (2013) 13-22, https://doi.org/10.1179/2047058412Y.0000000051.

[87] Nobre, T.; Nunes, L., 'Preliminary Assessment of the Termite Distribution in Portugal', Silva Lusitana, 9(2) (2001) 217-224, http://www.scielo.mec.pt/pdf/slu/v9n2/9n2a09.pdf.

[88] Mendes, L. F.; 'Note sur les Zygentoma (Insecta: Apterygota) de l’Europe et du bassin mediterranéen', Arquivos do Museu Bocage (2ª Sér.), 7(14) (1980) 215-260.

[89] Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:167:0001:0123:EN:PDF (accessed 10-10-2019).

[90] ICOM-ICOMOS Joint Statement, https://www.icomos.org/images/DOCUMENTS/Secretariat/2019/ICOM-ICOMOS_Statement/ICOM-ICOMOS_UE_N%C2%BA_528_2012_Statement.pdf (accessed 10-10-2019).

[91] Dawson, J., ‘The effects of insecticides on museum artefacts and materials’, in A guide to museum pest control, ed. L.A Zycherman, & J. R. Schrock, Assoc. of Syst. Collections, Washington D. C. (1988) 135-150.

[92] International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs), ‘International Labour Organization’, https://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.listCards3?p_lang=en (accessed 28-09-2019)

[93] Hickin, N.; Bookworms. The Insect Pests of Books, Sheppard Press Limited, London (1985).

[94] VanDyk, J., BugGuide, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University Ames (2003-2020), https://bugguide.net/termsofuse (accessed 25-03-2020).