[LM_NET] yeast damaging books?

[Marcia Zorn <mgzorn@TX.RR.COM>]

This is my 14th year in the same library, and for the first time this year I 
have been noticing lots of books with black smudgy spots, particularly inside 
the mylar covers. (I've seen at least 60 of these as I have changed covers.) 
 
At first I thought it was from pencils in the backpacks with the books, but then 
I began to suspect either mold or mildew, so I asked our library media 
coordinator for assistance with identifying the problem.  A sample was sent to a 
lab, and according to the lab, it is not mold, it is yeast. 
 
The lab was asked if they knew what caused it so that it could be prevented, and 
they did not have an answer.  According to our maintenance supervisor, yeast is 
a fungi and a mild solution of bleach and water should be used. 
 
If you have ever had a problem like this and can offer some advice toward 
preventing it and what should be done other than changing the covers and wiping 
the books with bleach and water where the spots are visible, we would really 
appreciate your assistance.  
 
Thanks so very much for your help! 
 
Marcia Garman Zorn 
Library Media Specialist 
Shady Oaks Elementary School 
Hurst, Texas 
 
mgzorn@tx.rr.com 
 

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