Tuesday, June 20, 2017
New Oral History Collections: June 2017
We’re highlighting several of our newly processed older oral history collections!
Aspelund, Mark M., 1953-. Oral History Interview, 3 and 25 February 1982. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1571. http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/fa/smhc/smhc1571.html
The Mark M. Aspelund collection consists of one audiocassette tape, a CD duplicate of the audiocassette, a transcript, and a biographical form and interview outline of an oral history interview conducted between Aspelund and Dennis H. Holland on 3 and 25 February 1982. At the time of the interview, Aspelund was studying electronic technology at Mankato Area Vocational-Technical Institute. The interview details Aspelund’s thoughts and opinions on the issues and problems facing education. Issues discussed include: state and federal funding, staff retention, administration quality, minority programs, and facility use.
Carter, Max. Oral History Interview, 27 February and 9 March 1981. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1647. http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/fa/smhc/smhc1647.html
The Max Carter collection consists of two audiocassette tapes, a CD duplicate of the audiocassettes, a transcript, and a biographical form of an oral history interview and a follow up interview conducted between Carter and Ronald A. Cyphers on 27 February and 9 March 1981. At the time of the interview, Carter was Child Care Supervisor at the Minnesota Braille and Sightsaving School in Faribault, Minnesota. The interview details Carter’s background and his thoughts on the issues and problems facing the Braille and Sightsaving School. Topics include: teacher licensing, the referral system, the importance of the socialization of handicapped children, and effectively communicating with parents and the community what services the Braille and Sightsaving School provides.
Brown, Arline, 1924-. Oral History Interview, 1 November 1980. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1651. http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/fa/smhc/smhc1651.html
The Arline Brown collection consists of one audiocassette tape, a CD duplicate of the audiocassette, a transcript, and a biographical form and interview outline of an oral history interview conducted between Brown and Phyllis M. Wisen on 1 November 1980. Brown was a faculty member at Mankato State University and taught Economics from 1957 to 1977. This interview deals with Brown’s perceptions of Mankato State University during the years she taught there including, but not limited to, issues concerning female faculty members and the growth of the Economics Department.
Macias, Rometo (Rummy), 1922-. Oral History Interview, 9 February 1979. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1678. http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/fa/smhc/smhc1678.html
The Macias collection consists of 2 audiocassette tapes and duplicates of the audiocassettes of an oral history interview conducted between Macias and Mark Fleming on February 9, 1979. In this interview, Macias recollects the roles and responsibilities of the teacher during the era 1945 to 1957, Mankato Teachers College during the 1950s, and the Mankato area after World War II.
Visit the Minnesota State Mankato’s University Archives!
Are you interested in viewing the two collections mentioned above? Contact us with any questions or to set an appointment for your visit.
Mee Xiong is an Archives Technician at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
How to Keep Paperback Books in Good Condition
Who doesn't love paperback books?
They are cheap, easy to pack and lightweight. Unlike hardcover books, paperbacks have thick paper covers and the textblocks are glued together instead of stitched or stapled. Paperbacks were designed to be affordable, not to last. Often times, you will find that the paper used in these softbound books are highly acidic. Not to mention all of the other issues that are less customary for our hardcover companions...
Here are some tips and tricks to keep your (or your library's) paperback books in the best shape possible:
Ways to Keep Paperbacks in Good Shape (Structurally):
1) Get it Hardcover Bound - This is a great first resort if you don't mind changing the structure of the book but if your paperback book is fragile or you want to keep it as is, move on to a better option for you.
2) Pamphlet Bind - If the paperback book is one signature vs multiple signatures, the single section can be sewn into a hard, easily removable binder. There are several other types of binding that may be better suited for your book such as spiral binding, velobinding, etc.
3) Book Box - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free box that you can keep your book in. This may make the book stand on the shelf without worries of dust, light damage, or other environmental factors affecting it. You can decorate the box if you want, too. Bonus!
4) Wrapper - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free four flap enclosure (wrapper) for your book for the same reasons as a book box without all the bulk.
5) Buy a New One - Many paperback books are relatively inexpensive. This is a good option if the content is more valuable than the specific copy you are working with. If it's still in print and you have an acidic or damaged book on your hands, you may want to get a new one instead.
Other Care Techniques that Seem Obvious but Aren't Always:
1) Hygiene - Wash your hands before handling a book. Even lotions can cause harm.
2) Drink Coffee First - If you snack or drink next to a book, don't be surprised if your book gets a little taste of what you're having! Food and water can cause staining, warped pages, and mold growth.
3) Use a Bookmark - As pages get older and slowly begin to deteriorate, folds in those pages tend to tear off easily. Even a piece of printing paper is better!
4) Close the Book when not using it - This sounds easy but how many of us actually do that? I sometimes find myself setting a book upside down on the page I'm reading if I can't find a bookmark which is not good for the text block.
5) Storage - Store in cool, dry place upright on a shelf, closely packed with other books that are similar in size. Not too tight, not too loose.
6) Chemicals - Writing in books with pens/highlighters increase the acidity of books. Repairs using office materials have lasting negative effects (office glue, tape, post it notes, etc.).If your goal is to preserve the life of your book, write in pencil and use "archival" quality materials.
7) Keep out of the Sun- Sun damage will change the color of your pages to yellow, brown, etc. and your pages will fade.
Take a moment to consider how it will be used in the years to come and it will help determine the best way to preserve it.
They are cheap, easy to pack and lightweight. Unlike hardcover books, paperbacks have thick paper covers and the textblocks are glued together instead of stitched or stapled. Paperbacks were designed to be affordable, not to last. Often times, you will find that the paper used in these softbound books are highly acidic. Not to mention all of the other issues that are less customary for our hardcover companions...
 |
Ways to Keep Paperbacks in Good Shape (Structurally):
1) Get it Hardcover Bound - This is a great first resort if you don't mind changing the structure of the book but if your paperback book is fragile or you want to keep it as is, move on to a better option for you.
2) Pamphlet Bind - If the paperback book is one signature vs multiple signatures, the single section can be sewn into a hard, easily removable binder. There are several other types of binding that may be better suited for your book such as spiral binding, velobinding, etc.
3) Book Box - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free box that you can keep your book in. This may make the book stand on the shelf without worries of dust, light damage, or other environmental factors affecting it. You can decorate the box if you want, too. Bonus!
4) Wrapper - Buy or custom make an "archival" quality acid-free, lignin-free four flap enclosure (wrapper) for your book for the same reasons as a book box without all the bulk.
5) Buy a New One - Many paperback books are relatively inexpensive. This is a good option if the content is more valuable than the specific copy you are working with. If it's still in print and you have an acidic or damaged book on your hands, you may want to get a new one instead.
Other Care Techniques that Seem Obvious but Aren't Always:
1) Hygiene - Wash your hands before handling a book. Even lotions can cause harm.
2) Drink Coffee First - If you snack or drink next to a book, don't be surprised if your book gets a little taste of what you're having! Food and water can cause staining, warped pages, and mold growth.
3) Use a Bookmark - As pages get older and slowly begin to deteriorate, folds in those pages tend to tear off easily. Even a piece of printing paper is better!
4) Close the Book when not using it - This sounds easy but how many of us actually do that? I sometimes find myself setting a book upside down on the page I'm reading if I can't find a bookmark which is not good for the text block.
5) Storage - Store in cool, dry place upright on a shelf, closely packed with other books that are similar in size. Not too tight, not too loose.
6) Chemicals - Writing in books with pens/highlighters increase the acidity of books. Repairs using office materials have lasting negative effects (office glue, tape, post it notes, etc.).If your goal is to preserve the life of your book, write in pencil and use "archival" quality materials.
7) Keep out of the Sun- Sun damage will change the color of your pages to yellow, brown, etc. and your pages will fade.
Take a moment to consider how it will be used in the years to come and it will help determine the best way to preserve it.
Hopefully these tips help!
Now let's hear from you. What do you do to preserve your paperback books? Comment below!
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