Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries
Libraries contain a large amount of organic material, frequently stored with inadequate climate control; thus, mold growth represents a considerable threat to library buildings and their contents. In this essay, we review published papers that have isolated microscopic fungi from library books, shel...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Journal of Fungi |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/11/1061 |
| _version_ | 1797458744666226688 |
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| author | Islam El Jaddaoui Hassan Ghazal Joan W. Bennett |
| author_facet | Islam El Jaddaoui Hassan Ghazal Joan W. Bennett |
| author_sort | Islam El Jaddaoui |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Libraries contain a large amount of organic material, frequently stored with inadequate climate control; thus, mold growth represents a considerable threat to library buildings and their contents. In this essay, we review published papers that have isolated microscopic fungi from library books, shelving, walls, and other surfaces, as well as from air samples within library buildings. Our literature search found 54 published studies about mold in libraries, 53 of which identified fungi to genus and/or species. In 28 of the 53 studies, <i>Aspergillus</i> was the single most common genus isolated from libraries. Most of these studies used traditional culture and microscopic methods for identifying the fungi. Mold damage to books and archival holdings causes biodeterioration of valuable educational and cultural resources. Exposure to molds may also be correlated with negative health effects in both patrons and librarians, so there are legitimate concerns about the dangers of contact with high levels of fungal contamination. Microbiologists are frequently called upon to help librarians after flooding and other events that bring water into library settings. This review can help guide microbiologists to choose appropriate protocols for the isolation and identification of mold in libraries and be a resource for librarians who are not usually trained in building science to manage the threat molds can pose to library holdings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:42:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e072c2c5851041f4987883c4f560090d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2309-608X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:42:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Fungi |
| spelling | doaj.art-e072c2c5851041f4987883c4f560090d2023-11-24T14:50:59ZengMDPI AGJournal of Fungi2309-608X2023-10-01911106110.3390/jof9111061Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in LibrariesIslam El Jaddaoui0Hassan Ghazal1Joan W. Bennett2Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed V, Rabat 10000, MoroccoLaboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, School of Pharmacy, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca 82403, MoroccoDepartment of Plant Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USALibraries contain a large amount of organic material, frequently stored with inadequate climate control; thus, mold growth represents a considerable threat to library buildings and their contents. In this essay, we review published papers that have isolated microscopic fungi from library books, shelving, walls, and other surfaces, as well as from air samples within library buildings. Our literature search found 54 published studies about mold in libraries, 53 of which identified fungi to genus and/or species. In 28 of the 53 studies, <i>Aspergillus</i> was the single most common genus isolated from libraries. Most of these studies used traditional culture and microscopic methods for identifying the fungi. Mold damage to books and archival holdings causes biodeterioration of valuable educational and cultural resources. Exposure to molds may also be correlated with negative health effects in both patrons and librarians, so there are legitimate concerns about the dangers of contact with high levels of fungal contamination. Microbiologists are frequently called upon to help librarians after flooding and other events that bring water into library settings. This review can help guide microbiologists to choose appropriate protocols for the isolation and identification of mold in libraries and be a resource for librarians who are not usually trained in building science to manage the threat molds can pose to library holdings.https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/11/1061libraryfilamentous fungimoldmouldmold isolationbiodeterioration |
| spellingShingle | Islam El Jaddaoui Hassan Ghazal Joan W. Bennett Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries Journal of Fungi library filamentous fungi mold mould mold isolation biodeterioration |
| title | Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries |
| title_full | Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries |
| title_fullStr | Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries |
| title_short | Mold in Paradise: A Review of Fungi Found in Libraries |
| title_sort | mold in paradise a review of fungi found in libraries |
| topic | library filamentous fungi mold mould mold isolation biodeterioration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/11/1061 |
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