Books published since the American Civil War have shown relatively rapid decay due to acidity resulting from the introduction of an alum size, of chlorine as a bleach, and finally, of the ground wood process of papermaking. To meet this problem the Council of Library Resources, Inc., Washington, D.C., secured the part-time services of William J. Barrow, Document Restorer at the Virginia State Library, well known for his work in the deacidification and lamination field. After making a study of the permanence of current book papers, Mr. Barrow devised a formula for manufacturing permanent and durable chemical wood paper by using the proper fibers and by eliminating acidic ingredients. The Standard Paper Company, Richmond, VA, and other manufacturers have begun marketing permanent/durable papers. Following experimentation with methods of arresting the deterioration of books already in print, Mr. Barrow found that spraying the pages with a solution of magnesium bicarbonate with 10% alcohol was the most effective and least time-consuming treatment. In some instances it has been found to change the color of the dyes used in some modern papers. Investigations of other factors are nearing completion and a final report will soon be issued.