Pellon is a polyester material commonly used in textile pressure mounts and as a support for washing works of art on paper. A company spokesman says it should not be used in long term storage or, for that matter, in any archival production. We need more information on their characteristics in use and over time. Bookguard Water Repellent for Books is an aerosol spray invented by Dr. Karl Reimer, chemist of Reno, Nevada, after reading about the water damage to books in the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library in April 1986. It does waterproof books without changing their appearance or making the pages stick together.
Moisture can still pass in and out of the book in the form of vapor.
A patent is pending and permanence tests are under way. The literature from the supplier answers many of conservators' questions. Drawstring plastic bags for rainy days can be ordered for 2. A microfilm reader that is said to be easy to use for long periods at a time with minimal fatigue is the Northwest 2020A. Northwest is also known as Micron. They also distribute the face-up copier the Archivist, and service it.