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Turning to Dust

Preserving Our Books

Produced by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

• "Up-to-date facts and interesting shots." - Ellen R. McCrady, Abbey Newsletter
• "A fascinating look at paper preservation... * * *" - Museumedia
• "This well-produced documentary shows some solutions... and maintains a delicate balance between technical aspects and cultural implications. Highly recommended." - Library Journal

There's a quiet calamity going on in libraries and archives all around the world. The books and documents that carry the records of human civilization are crumbling because the paper on which they are printed is turning to dust. The alum used to prevent ink from bleeding is turning into sulfuric acid, making the paper brittle.

The documentary shows us preservation centers where conservationists treat weakened books and introduces us to some of the foremost authorities in the field. It also reviews the various ways of coping with deteriorating paper, such as boxing, filming and strengthening. Turning to Dust raises crucial issues such as how to determine which books to save and how to prevent continued use of acidic paper when alternatives exist.

Saving the collective memory of humankind has become a race against time. Preservation is painstakingly slow and trained professionals are scarce. Can enough be done quickly to save books from turning to dust?

American Film & Video Festival, 1991

46 min. Video or DVD. Sale $195. Video rental $65.

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