Northern Illinois University Library

BELFOR’s document restoration team cleaned and remediated mold on approximately 640 rare archival books in the Founders Memorial Library at the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and another 40 rare books needed to be thermal freeze dried and pressed. 

The Founders Memorial Library on the main campus at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Dekalb holds about two million volumes of books and journals, plus the University Archives and various special collections.

After being exposed to moisture from a water leak, approximately 640 rare archival books in the University library were in need of mold remediation and another 40 rare books needed to be thermal freeze dried and pressed. About 80 percent of the books were leatherbound.

“I anticipated much more complexity in the process, but BELFOR took care of everything onsite. We truly appreciated the value that we received for the cost, and also the fact that it was very much a simple process from our perspective.”

FRED BARNHART
Dean, NIU Libraries