Freezing

If a lot of materials need to be frozen, a large freezing facility should be located (commercial, or part of university or lab)

It is best to blast freeze initially--this reduces the formation of large ice crystals. Some freezing facilities have this capability; some do not.

It is best to keep the storage temperature at minus 20 degrees F.

Advantages to Freezing for Paper Materials

It stabilizes wet materials.
Books and documents can be frozen indefinitely without harm.
Freezing prevents further swelling and warping.
Freezing prevents water-soluble inks and dyes from running.
Freezing will help eliminate odors.
Freezing will not kill mold spores but freezing will keep them from multiplying.

Freezing Buys Time for the Organization

to clean
to make repairs
to establish environmental controls
to make rational decisions about drying options
to allow the weather to improve

Freezing is not the final process for dealing with wet books. They still must be dried. They can be defrosted a few at a time and then air dried. Or they can be vacuum freeze dried.