Knoxville Rarities Damaged By Malfunctioning Air Conditioner

One of Knoxville's most important historical libraries – the Calvin M. McClung Collection – suffered water damage earlier this week, as air conditioners and humidifier systems leaked into the building's storage areas. Approximately 200 books were damaged by the leak, with visibly ruined covers and dampened text reasonably common.

While officials were upset by the extent of the damage, they were optimistic about the books' recovery efforts. Water damage to most of the texts was relatively limited, with most books able to be restored and recovered by local experts.

Employees and volunteers were within the affected rooms within hours, those on the scene report, handling the texts and ensuring that they weren't further damaged. Keeping in line with standard procedure for damaged books, all affected copies were wrapped up and placed in a freezer – designed to prevent further damage to the moist pages.

While the point of fault has been located – a humidifier in the building's public storage area – it's prompted more than just a swift replacement. Officials are investing in a new humidity and air conditioning service system for the building, designed to keep the books at an ideal temperature and free or risk.