10 Years Ago Today . . .

. . . About 20,000 books damaged in a fire at Los Angeles Central Library were being dried at McDonnell Douglas’ space simulation center in Huntington Beach.

The books were quick-frozen to prevent mildew, then placed in a space simulator that changed moisture in the books to a gas. “Some of the books look like they came right off the shelf,” a worker said.

Source: Times archives