be impacted by a mold outbreak. Mold is a dangerous library pest because of the damage it causes to the collections. Mold thrives off of paper and books; these objects provide the fungi a source of nutrition, namely the sugar and starches present in the cellulose materials. Mold feeds on cloth, leather, glues, adhesives, cellulose starch and starches in the sizing. Frequently, mold is noticed on the bindings long before it begins on the text blocks. By feeding on books, mold can cause the paper to become thin, soft, or spongy. Images and decorative elements can be completely destroyed or, at the very least, become stained. Impact on materials When a book or paper becomes moldy, the fungi will digest its food source, paper and cloth (such as book covers and bindings) in order to survive. This process stains and destroys books, papers, and other library collections over time. During their growth mold and mildew produce citric, gluconic, oxalic, or other organic acids that can damage paper, leather, cloth, etc. They also at times produce color bodies, leading to staining which is difficult to remove. Mold will continually grow until it uses up its food source, which means a library collection could be totally consumed. Unless every mold spore is treated, the issue will just return. Mold's enduring nature makes treatment difficult and prevention all the more necessary. Prevention The only way to control mold is by altering conditions conducive to its growth. The generally accepted threshold for mold growth is about 15% moisture content because the predominant cause of mold is excess water. Excess water can come from liquid water, as a result of leaks, or water vapor, as a result of high relative humidity due to improper storage, faulty humidifiers, or HVAC malfunctions. While most research shows that fungal growth is most prevalent in conditions in which relative humidity is above 60%, humidity levels below this threshold alone will not prevent mold growth, given the fact that favorable germination environments vary from species to species. Environmental controls Many libraries monitor a building's atmosphere through the use of HVAC systems. These built-in ventilation systems help to combat mold growth that occurs as a result of relative humidity levels greater than 65% and temperature greater than , as well poor air circulation. Proper use and monitoring of HVAC systems can help to prevent mold problems before they occur. Air ventilation