ИСТИНА

Archival documents and library collections are part of cultural heritage. Archival documents, unlike library materials, are usually presented in a single copy. The importance of preserving archival unique documents for future generations is obvious. In the restoration practice and curators management, various chemical preparations are used to improve the exposure form of the document. Most of these substances change the physico-mechanical properties of the information medium – paper and parchment - in the aging process and unfavorably affect the environment. In this article, we discuss the criteria for chemical treatments and modern view on the usage of chemicals to prevent items from the biodeterioration (microorganisms and insects). Freeze drying is one of the safest methods to protect against mold contamination of wet documents and books after water accidents. To protect against the insect infection, a modified method of low pressure and freezing in a sublimation chamber is proposed. The restoration of infected paper documents often involves a question of whether the special treatment is needed for extermination of microorganisms. In the present work, it has been shown that consecutive washing and drying, as well as mechanical removal of contaminants, and, especially the chemical treatment of paper with signs of mold damage, result in a significant reduction of the microorganisms and their elimination without special antimicrobial treatment.