25 ms·

I would think this totally dries the pages out and then they just turn to dust, from experience.

ComputerPerson 3mo ago
A well-organized system derived from binder clips works for small/medium scale collections of debound books. It's a quick and easy, and relatively cheap, way to "rebind" them in parts. The clips even provide good surfaces for labels. Archivists recommend standard ambient conditions or a little drier for long term storage. As you've said, too dry and the pages fall apart; permanent damage. I suppose the fancy silica gels that maintain specific humidities would work in bags.
palmotea 3mo ago
>> If I did that I'd seal them with silica gel to keep the humidity down. > I would think this totally dries the pages out and then they just turn to dust, from experience. They used to sell Boveda two-way humidity control packs that would keep a bag at a constant low-ish 32% humidity, but last I looked those were discontinued (it looks like they've pivoted pretty heavily to marijuana storage and higher-humidity products).
pfdietz 3mo ago
My understanding is that the fibers in paper can become brittle if they are too dry. However, this doesn't cause the paper to break down, it just makes it vulnerable to damage if flexed. So storing paper dry is fine if it is then humidified before being stressed.
- qingcharles 3mo ago
  It's possible. My only experience is with vintage newspapers that were allowed to dry out, and then when trying to open them just shatter like a carbonized volcano scroll.
  - rolandog 3mo ago
    It's truly humbling how much knowledge professionals from different fields have, and how easy it is to fall into a Dunning–Kruger effect trap where a bit of knowledge — extremely extrapolated — would've led me down the path of hubris and guessing so many wrong answers. Thanks all.
    - qingcharles 3mo ago
      One of the best things about this site is how many people there are on here who are way smarter than me, with much deeper domain knowledge.
      - pfdietz 3mo ago
        Or we just reflexively look stuff up.
        rolandog 3mo ago
        I think that we all have varying degrees of The Knack [0]. [0]: https://youtu.be/g8vHhgh6oM0?t=50 https://youtu.be/g8vHhgh6oM0?t=50
  - palmotea 3mo ago
    Though newspapers are printed on some of the lowest quality paper possible, so they're probably suffering from other issues than just dryness.
    - pfdietz 3mo ago
      Like the short lifespan of acid paper. Drying might actually slow down that degradation.

A well-organized system derived from binder clips works for small/medium scale collections of debound books. It's a quick and easy, and relatively cheap, way to "rebind" them in parts. The clips even provide good surfaces for labels. Archivists recommend standard ambient conditions or a little drier for long term storage. As you've said, too dry and the pages fall apart; permanent damage. I suppose the fancy silica gels that maintain specific humidities would work in bags.

palmotea 3mo ago

>> If I did that I'd seal them with silica gel to keep the humidity down. > I would think this totally dries the pages out and then they just turn to dust, from experience. They used to sell Boveda two-way humidity control packs that would keep a bag at a constant low-ish 32% humidity, but last I looked those were discontinued (it looks like they've pivoted pretty heavily to marijuana storage and higher-humidity products).

pfdietz 3mo ago

My understanding is that the fibers in paper can become brittle if they are too dry. However, this doesn't cause the paper to break down, it just makes it vulnerable to damage if flexed. So storing paper dry is fine if it is then humidified before being stressed.

qingcharles 3mo ago
It's possible. My only experience is with vintage newspapers that were allowed to dry out, and then when trying to open them just shatter like a carbonized volcano scroll.
- rolandog 3mo ago
  It's truly humbling how much knowledge professionals from different fields have, and how easy it is to fall into a Dunning–Kruger effect trap where a bit of knowledge — extremely extrapolated — would've led me down the path of hubris and guessing so many wrong answers. Thanks all.
  - qingcharles 3mo ago
    One of the best things about this site is how many people there are on here who are way smarter than me, with much deeper domain knowledge.
    - pfdietz 3mo ago
      Or we just reflexively look stuff up.
      - rolandog 3mo ago
        I think that we all have varying degrees of The Knack [0]. [0]: https://youtu.be/g8vHhgh6oM0?t=50 https://youtu.be/g8vHhgh6oM0?t=50
- palmotea 3mo ago
  Though newspapers are printed on some of the lowest quality paper possible, so they're probably suffering from other issues than just dryness.
  - pfdietz 3mo ago
    Like the short lifespan of acid paper. Drying might actually slow down that degradation.