Why a robust preservation policy might just save your life one day

At work I received one of those local sector community mailing list e-mails. This is what is said:

We have some music manuscripts which we have to pass on to another organisation. They have been in storage in a box in an unheated and possibly damp location for two years. When we opened the box there were tiny white mites moving in the box. These mites have not been identified as a particular species. We do not want to pass on the manuscripts as they are. I have read The Preservation Advisory Centre Guidelines, but they don’t do quick fixes. The Company partner is looking for a quick fix of a spray we can apply.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

This is around all 7 shades of wrong and, so, almost e-mail Genius! The implication that they basically are looking for someone to recommend a “spray” might be the most worrying part. This is the all too real consequence of Cillit Bang adverts.

I had to stop myself from typing immediately back an e-mail response:

You’ll be fine with a normal, everyday flammable lacquer spray from any good stationer. Spray liberally on mites and paper contents. Then burn the box, burn it to hell.

The actual answer is that there is no quick fix. The Preservation Guidelines are quite correct. Matters of paper conservation and pest control take a slow, expert hand combined with a rigorous preservation policy and environmental monitoring system to cure. It seems that this understanding is a little lacking here.

This situation will not turn out well. I am expecting the next communication to be received from the company via a collective e-mail will be from the King of the Mites making his demands and threatening to start “blasting hostages”.

I, of course, could e-respond in an attempt to maintain a dialogue with His Mitejesty, all the while trying to identify what mites we are dealing with: So far we only know they are tiny, white and their society is governed by a monarch as sovereign head of state.

But such negotiations would be tricky:

“Ok, the non-sequential sheets of damp paper are being readied to be deposited in an unmarked bag at the drop zone designated. Perhaps, King Mite, you would release a hostage in good faith?”
“I am King Mite II.”
"What happened to King Mite the 1st?"
“My father is dead. We mites are a fast breeding, short lived race. And I have new demands. My father was a fool.”
“Oh. Ok, what are your demands, King Mite II?”
“I am King Mite III and we want a Chopper on the roof in 20 minutes.”