Sorry to hear about the flood.
Once the maps are secure, if these are painted, metal cases, they can be pretty much treated like a dirty vehicle- warm, soapy water, and perhaps an automotive
spray wax/detailer (on the exterior) if there is any discoloration. Glove up while doing this. If the water reached to drawer bearings and tracks, they will need to be cleaned and re-lubricated (basic grease).
If you are concerned about what was actually in the water, after the cases are washed, they could be wiped down with sterilizing wipes, or alcohol before applying
the wax/detailer.
Consider risers for the map cases if finds allow.
Good Luck!
Sean
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]>
On Behalf Of Cheyenne Stradinger
Sent: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 12:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Flood in our map library
Good afternoon,
On Monday, the area where many of our map cases are located was flooded. I'm wondering if any of you all have dealt with this and what best options are when dealing with wastewater
exposure to the map cases. The water was clearish, but contaminated and went about an inch high. We now have to move these exposed map cases (potentially 4 to 5 cases high and each case has 4 drawers) and will need to be moved to sterilize underneath.
Help!
Cheyenne Stradinger
Cheyenne Stradinger, MLIS
Library Information Specialist 3 / Map and Geographic Information Center (MAGIC) Librarian
Centennial Science & Engineering Library
University of New Mexico