A Vacuum Freeze Drier: It's Nice to Have One But ... A Short Paper on the National Library's Vacuum Freeze Drier Nine Years On
Abstract
The National Library of Australia was among the first Australian cultural institutions to investigate vacuum freeze drying technology as a disaster recovery measure. It recognised a need for local expertise to be developed in this area and purchased a vacuum freeze drier in 1986.
Since then research and development and then several private drying projects have seen the equipment used for only about one third of its life. With cost effectiveness a prime Government objective in the 1990s and changing work priorities there is pressure on Federal and State cultural institutions to re assess their involvement with low use equipment.
The paper reviews the history of the National Library's vacuum freeze drier and discusses factors which may influence the Library's future direction in this area.
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