Tips for Preservation
by Marie Spina

Here are some tips from Archival practice for preservation of personal papers and photographs. Preserving family history is different from preserving institutional history but basic good practice will help protect important photos and documents.

1. Never store anything valuable on the floor; not even in containers. If problems such as water leaks, mold, rodent, or insects occur, the floor will be the first spot affected

2. Store valuables away from heat sources, windows, pipes and air ducts. Sunlight bleaches and fluctuations in heat and humidity are the chief culprits in the destruction of paper, photos, fabric, videos and books.

3. Don't fold documents. Store them in flat boxes with reinforced corners. Interleave documents like diplomas or marriage papers with acid free tissue or buffered board.

4. Do not encapsulate documents in plastic. Save the originals as noted above and make copies for encapsulation! When framing or storing, the housing should be able to be removed from documents if they should need repair or copying for personal or legal matters.

5. If you want to keep something in plastic for protection, use polyesters such as Dupont's MylarD for papers or a plastic called polyethylene for photos and negatives. Make sure your housing is reversible and not permanent.

6. To support materials in frames or showcases, never use cheap plastic for long term storage. Never use colored, tinted or frosted plastic; these may have harmful coatings. Many plastics are chemically unstable and leach chemicals or speed deterioration by holding moisture.

7. Plastics may create static electricity and cling. Use care to avoid clinging that may tear materials.

8. Never use ordinary scotch tape to repair valuable papers or pictures. All adhesive tape discolors and the sticky part turns brown with time. If you need repairs done, take the materials to a skilled conservator. One possibility is to make a copy and store the original safely until time and funds permit better care. Preservation can be expensive but your documents are priceless.

9. Don't glue valuable photos or store them in inexpensive plastic sleeves. Keep your precious prints and negatives in unbuffered paper albums with Mylar corners or in files with unbuffered tissue or paper.

10. Fast processing and plastic photo mediums may retain moisture. Do not pile photos or store tightly because they will stick together and be ruined.

11. Never handle materials or books around food or liquids or after using hand lotions or creames. Some materials should be used only while wearing unbleached cotton gloves to protect them from even the natural oil of our hands.

12. If an accident happens, blot, don't wipe away moisture. Dry item in moving air as quickly as possible. Keep cool and do not use heat. Be on guard for mildew and stains.

13. Carefully remove dust before storing and monitor your valuables. A good time to check them is as seasons change and you adjust the clock and check the smoke alarm batteries. If you detect mold, deterioration or other problems, isolate the affected materials and consult an expert on restoration or repair.

14. Preserving your documents and photos requires special supplies. The Websites listed below can help you find resources and expert advice.

National Archives and Records Administration [http://www.archives.gov/]

Library of Congress [http://lcweb.loc.gov/preserv]


Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |

Library Home