Study of Physical Conditions of the Law Books Collection: a didactic exercise

Abstract

Introduction: This is a record of practical activities with students of the discipline “Documents Preservation (2BIB050)” in the Course of Librarianship from the State University of Londrina-UEL, within the Complementary Training Program in Undergraduate Teaching through the project "The contribution of university libraries management to the formation of Librarianship students”.
Objective: To assess the conservation status of the books of the graduation course in Law stored in the Sectorial Library of Humanities / BSCH UEL.
Methodology: The diagnostic exercise was conducted after the theoretical classes on agents of deterioration. Students were referred to the BSCH to examine the books of the selected subjects, they were given an assessment form adapted from KRAMER study as an instrument.
Results: Partial results indicate that most of the books present dirt and damage on the covers and spines.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the dirt and identified damage are caused by improper handling and lack of hygiene. It is worth highlighting that the librarian, as the one responsible for the conservation and preservation of the collections he/she manages, should know and research about the factors that cause deterioration of materials and how to fight them in order to establish appropriate policies and programs to their reality.