Re: Mold found in Faribault Braille book collection

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From: <bherk@...>

" Sick Buildings " < >

Sent: Friday, September 27, 2002 12:25 AM

Subject: [] Mold found in Faribault Braille book collection

> http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3323409.html

>

> Mold found in Faribault Braille book collection

> Kavita Kumar

> Star Tribune

>

> Published Sep 25, 2002 MOLD25

>

> One of the state's largest collections of Braille books is under

quarantine

> since the discovery of nontoxic mold on and around some books in early

> September.

>

> The Braille books affected are 20,000 to 25,000 volumes housed in the

> basement of the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

> in Faribault, where the mold was found. The basement collection was closed

> about two weeks ago.

>

> The rest of the nearly 31,000 Braille books in the collection are not

> affected, said Durivage, the library's program director.

>

> After the mold was discovered, officials realized that basement humidity

> levels and the heating and cooling systems were " out of whack, " Durivage

> said.

>

> The mold could have caused adverse reactions in readers with allergies or

> extreme sensitivities. And the library wanted to ensure that the books it

> sends out are in proper condition, she said.

>

> It will be at least a couple of weeks before the collection, which

consists

> of general reading materials for the visually impaired, reopens, she said.

>

> In the meantime, the library's approximately 450 registered Braille-book

> patrons will still have access to books from the library's nationwide

> network through the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically

> Handicapped, which provides most of the library's books and is part of the

> Library of Congress.

>

> " They'll get the books, but it may take three to four days longer to get

the

> books than if they came directly from us, " Durivage said.

>

> The temperature in the library's basement has been increased and a

> dehumidifier will be kept in constant operation, she said.

>

> " We want to keep the environment stable so the mold can have a chance to

> grow dormant, " she said. " We are pretty much not giving them moisture. "

>

> After mold growth is thwarted, the books will be cleaned or replaced. In

the

> long term, the library's heating and cooling system may need renovation.

>

> The library is located on the the campus of the Minnesota State Academy

for

> the Blind in Faribault. It serves the visually and physically handicapped

as

> well as people with learning disabilities. It offers audio cassettes,

> large-print and Braille books to about 11,000 patrons.

>

> " There is no other library like us in Minnesota, " Durivage said.

>

> -- Kavita Kumar is at kkumar@....

>

>

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