Preservation Essentials

Elements of Preservation Planning Environment Storage, handling, and treatment Protection

Planning Why saving? How will it be used? Time/Money Value of item What works best for you Setting priorities

Why Save? Collection Policy What area are you trying to cover? What are you documenting with your collection? Who are you serving? What types of material will you collect? What do people expect to find in your collection?

Create A Good Environment Avoid extremes in temperature and humidity 21° - 45% Avoid or minimize light Good air circulation Monitor for insects, mold, etc. Cleanliness Keep away from food Keep items dust free

Mold Likes Four Things Moisture Heat Poor air circulation Dark

Shelving Avoid wood Canopy tops Elevate bottom shelf at least 3” Braced, sturdy Appropriate depth for material Avoid outside walls or insure items not up against wall

Handling Tips Handle as little as possible Hands should be clean and free of lotions and creams when handling items Store items unfolded whenever possible If appears valuable, consult with expert to verify authenticity and value Repairs and restoration best left to experts

Containers Protect from dust, light Buffer against temp/RH fluctuations and disasters Facilitate storage & retrieval Subliminal message: Handle with care Need to be appropriate for intended use and type of material

Tune out the word “archival” Look for more specifics: pH levels Lignin content Fade-resistance Passes PAT (Photo Activity Test)

PAT: Photographic activity test, which evaluated chemical or photographic interactions between enclosure materials and photographic images Buffered: an alkaline reserve of 2-3% calcium carbonate, which will neutralize acid contaminants Life expectancy (LE): A rating for the expected longevity of recording materials and associated retrieval systems.

Webster’s Definitions Lignin-Free Webster’s Definitions Lignin: 1. an organic substance that, with cellulose, forms the chief part of woody tissue. 2. in papermaking, impure matter found in wood pulp. Free: not containing a specified substance (such as in sugar-free).

Plastics Mylar Polyester – Gives support while allowing users to see the image Polypropylene – Uncoated polypropylene is acceptable low cost alternative to polyester Polyethylene – Lower cost alternative where clarity and rigidity is not needed Avoid PVC and cellulose

Be Aware of Exceptions Wool/Silk Blueprints Charcoal/Pastel Gloves

COLLECTION SPECIFIC Use—materials that are used frequently may be at higher risk than others. They include materials used by researchers or exhibited routinely. Storage—collections that are stored under adverse environmental conditions or in damaging enclosures may require prompt preservation action. Condition—items or collections in fragile condition may be at risk unless they receive attention quickly. Value—absolute value (rarity, monetary worth, intrinsic or associational value, etc.) and/or relative value of collections to the institution may influence preservation priorities. Whether collections have long- or short-term value to the institution will also affect decision-making. Format—whether or not materials need to be preserved in their original format will also influence priorities.

OVERALL Impact—those actions that will result in dramatic improvement or a slowing of deterioration, and those that will affect the greatest number of items, may be the highest priority. Feasibility—this factor is essential; it includes staffing levels and expertise, policy and procedural changes, political considerations, and financial considerations (outside funding, capital outlay, operating costs, expenses for materials and services). Even if the impact of a preservation action is high, it may be given a low priority if implementation is not feasible. Urgency—there will always be some activities that require immediate action; collections may be damaged or lost, or an opportunity to act on a particular project may be lost, if action is not taken.

1 2 3 4 High FEASIBILITY Low Low High IMPACT

House unprotected items in archival boxes.

Added Protection Whatever you do should be reversible Make back up copies or build in redundancies Store originals separate from copy Monitor Insurance Disaster response

Majority of collection is stored in highly acidic boxes. Rebox into archival containers as time and money allows. Monitor collection for signs of damage from acidic boxes.