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University of Iowa

University Libraries

Jul 9 2008

Putting Ourselves Back Together

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Most staff upon returning to the Main Library were able to just turn on his or her computer and pick up where s/he had left off. Not the Preservation Department. Book repair, binding, and marking are in the basement which was flooded. Since we were completely dismantled, we decided it was a good time to get the floor waxed and walls painted. We also decided that the first thing to get up and going should be the marking unit. This would get the most students back to work and take care of our highest volume of work. Marking processes about 8,000 items a month.

Once the floor was waxed, Shannon’s desk and computer would be installed and a table set up for students to work on. Painting, reinstalling book shelves, etc. would go on around them.

Jul 9 2008

Temporary Quarters, Again!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Since book repair is in the basement along with marking and binding, they can not move back into their original work space. We decided to move them in after marking and binding. Painting will probably be done on Friday but it’ll still take some time to get equipment, shelves, etc. squared away. Susan has setting up a temporary shop down to an art and can do it quickly. They are now set up in a cubicle just across the aisle from me. Everyone is happy to be back at least in the building they usually work in. I’m enjoying having book repair so close to me. It’s nice to be able to pop in and say “hi.”

Jul 7 2008

Moving Back

Monday, July 7, 2008

After three days of guests and almost no flood related activities, it was very hard to get mentally back to work. My host, Engineer Librarian John Forys, gave me a tip on where to find great coffee — The T-spoons. Fortified, I tackled my close to 700 emails, hoping to get part of my work life back in order. At 9:58 AM we received word that we could begin moving back to the Main Library at 1PM. The move back will be spread out over 3-4 days. I wKaren At Fenceas part of the first wave along with Conservation, Reformatting, Circulation, Media Services, InfoArcade, Administration office, PR, LIT Technical Support, Special Collections staff and a few students in these units.March of the Penguins

We moved back while the barriers were still up. Our north entrance is still closed and will be closed for a while as the buildings to our immediate north are still being remediated. We had to enter by the south entrance and be checked in – no gate crashers allowed. It was very exciting. I felt a little bit like the March of the Penguins.

After moving back – which involved docking my laptop and turning it on – I listened to my 10 phone messages. Oops! I neglected to deal with my office phone while vacated from the Main Library. Then I headed out to our Oakdale site to see if we can improve the environment. I was greeted with a totally amazing sight of 10s of LPs and covers hanging to dry.Czech LPs Caitlin and Elizabeth are doing a great job of working through the Czech Slovak LP collection.

Still no solution for an improved environment. We decided to investigate upgradingStarbrite the air conditioner filtering system with a HEPA filter, charcoal filter and pre-filter and setting up a small air scrubber. In the meantime I set out Starbrite anti odor/mold units. We’ll see if they reduce the smell.

Although I don’t feel stressed, I must be. I continue to be forgetful. I almost forgot to take the Starbrites with me and had to go back and get them. Then when I went to pick up my spouse after work, I took the wrong street and got lost.

Jul 3 2008

Drying Out LP’s

Thursday, July 3, 2008

As we are taking out the LPs from their disgusting boxes, the covers and the records themselves are still wet. And caked with mud. And they need to be dried–preferably with some semblance of the order they are in. Luckily, Tim Barrett has allowed us to take over the Paper Lab at the Oakdale campus, which means we get to use this ingenious drying rack for our own means. This rack was constructed based on European versions of paper racks–Tim told us who made it for the lab, but now I forget. It is suspended from the ceiling with enough room to walk under, and the little green specks in the picture are marbles (one is a cats eye).

The marbles are set within an angled groove–does that make sense?-so that the marble holds up the paper without putting undue pressure on the sheet. It works wonderfully for the covers, which are then pressed flat. The LPs themselves are hung from the marbles, too, without mishap.

Jul 3 2008

Mass Drying

Monday, July 7, 2008

We try to utilize the entire drying rack daily. The records are hung staggered with the covers, which allows air to pass around them all. We set up a few fans around the room, not directly on the rack, as it caused some of the covers to fall, but just to move the air. It is hot and muggy outside, but we have air conditioning in the room, which also helps with drying–and makes it more comfortable in the respirators. About one length of the rack can hold twenty records, and there are usually around 55 records in a box. This means we can finish four boxes in a day. The next morning, we come and take it all down, in order, and start again.

Jul 2 2008

Respirator Fitting

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Because we were working with materials that were covered in mold we had to wear respirators the whole time we worked on the Czech record project. To be most effective, respirators have to be specially fit and tested for each person. This photo illustrates one of the tests they used to insure that the respirator was working properly. They sprayed a little scent into the hood and then had us move our head around. If we could smell the scent, our respirator was not fitted correctly.

Jun 30 2008

Book Repair at Geoscience Library

Monday, June 30, 2008


It’s a challenge supervising staff who are scattered all over. However, they’ve done an excellent job of managing themselves. At the Geoscience Library, Bu Wilson decided she was best suited to pulling books for repairwork rather than doing the repairs. Bill and Linda worked on repairs.

Jun 26 2008

Book Repair at Hardin

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Although staff would like to be back at their regular work stations, they are enjoying doing something different for a change and making a difference with the collections at the Hardin Library. We’re also able to keep some of our students in pay status.