Introduction to Conservation in Handling

The Nature of Digital Projects Special Collections Material Rare or Unique Often Fragile

Preservation Can the originals be handled safely? Will digitisation reduce handling of the originals? Are digital preservation policies in place? Will you be able to provide adequate archiving of the digital files?

A Double-Edged Sword Digitization can provide a surrogate and reduce handling or Can drive up demand for use of an original

Consider Preservation Activities As part of digitization work flow As part of digitization budget Establish preservation criteria

Preservation Considerations for Digitization By Format: Books Papers Photographs

Books Fold-outs that require flattening or mending Pages with large tears across image area Folios in pamphlets that are bound by over-sewing or by stapling Pages dog-eared or creased so text/image is obscured Pages stuck together Uncut pages Inaccessible text blocks because the book does not open widely enough to get at the center

Papers Tears over 1 cm. long that bisect the edge of the paper Holes larger than 1.5 cm. in diameter Creases and folds that obscure the image or text Folded, brittle paper that requires unfolding

Photographs Flaking or cracking of image Tears or breaks in image area Losses in image area Adhesive tape on the image Photograph lifting away from the mount/backing

Large Formats Maps Architectural Drawings Newspapers Oversized Documents

Mechanisms Heat Light Autofeed vs. Flatbed vs. Cradles

Best Practices Clean work area Book or photograph cradles Work with preservation staff or conservators National Gallery Colorado Digitization Program Library of Congress