Thanks for the Memories: How to handle your precious old documents and photos

What Causes Paper Deterioration? Sunlight & Heat Sunlight & Heat Acid/Lignin Acid/Lignin Humidity Humidity

Sunlight & Heat High temperature = faster chemical reactions and more decay. High temperature = faster chemical reactions and more decay. Sunlight = faded paper, discoloration, and difficult to read documents Sunlight = faded paper, discoloration, and difficult to read documents

Humidity Challenges Humidity is tricky Humidity is tricky Too dry = brittle, falling apart paper. To moist = soft, damp, perhaps moldy paper Balance is best, but hard to attain.

Acid and Lignin Most paper is made from wood pulp and contains an acid called lignin that turns paper yellow. Most paper is made from wood pulp and contains an acid called lignin that turns paper yellow. Acid-free paper is available. Acid-free paper is available. Treated with calcium or magnesium bicarbonate Lasts years depending on quality.

Other Factors that Harm Paper Adhesive tape Adhesive tape Staples Staples Glue Glue Paperclips Paperclips Ink pens Ink pens Lamination Lamination

Proper Storage Will Slow the Decay The more barriers between the paper and the environment, the better. The more barriers between the paper and the environment, the better. A clean, dry, cool storage environment is best A clean, dry, cool storage environment is best

Getting Started Carefully assess the types and qualities of the documents you have. Carefully assess the types and qualities of the documents you have. Plain paper or newsprint? Plain paper or newsprint? How much acid, humidity, and light damage has been done already? How much acid, humidity, and light damage has been done already? Is the paper brittle? Is the paper brittle? Are there staples, paperclips, adhesive tapes, or glues involved? Are there staples, paperclips, adhesive tapes, or glues involved?

Step One Best practices: Best practices: Paper needs to be flat Paper needs to be flat Remove staples and paperclips. Remove staples and paperclips. Open folded pages Open folded pages Separate highly acidic newsprint from other papers. Separate highly acidic newsprint from other papers.

Step Two Brittle or often used documents should be stored in Melinex plastic sleeves. Brittle or often used documents should be stored in Melinex plastic sleeves. These sleeves come in varying thicknesses and sizes. These sleeves come in varying thicknesses and sizes.

Step Three When possible, store objects of similar size and weight together to provide support. When possible, store objects of similar size and weight together to provide support. Place documents into acid-free folders and boxes. Place documents into acid-free folders and boxes. Always label your folders and boxes for easy retrieval! Always label your folders and boxes for easy retrieval!

Recommended Tools Family Archives Kit Family Archives Kit Includes Letter sized document case 25 file folders Archival Clippings Envelope Disposable Cotton Gloves 6 box labels $22.25 plus S&H

Caring for Photos & Slides Photos are: Photos are: Fragile Fragile Easily damaged Easily damaged Often stained Often stained Occasionally distorted Occasionally distorted If stored properly, damage can be slowed or avoided altogether. If stored properly, damage can be slowed or avoided altogether.

What Causes Photo & Slide Deterioration? Light Light Dust Dust Frequent handling Frequent handling Air Pollutants Air Pollutants Fluctuations in temperature Fluctuations in temperature Fluctuations in humidity Fluctuations in humidity Inherent chemical reactions Inherent chemical reactions

Getting Started Carefully assess the types of photos and slides that you have. Carefully assess the types of photos and slides that you have. Black and white vs. color photos & slides Black and white vs. color photos & slides These need to be stored differently These need to be stored differently How are the photos stored? How are the photos stored? Are they loose? Are they loose? Are they glued into an album? Are they glued into an album? Are they in an album but free-floating? Are they in an album but free-floating?

Step One If your photos are glued into an album, do not attempt to remove them! This will only damage the photos. If your photos are glued into an album, do not attempt to remove them! This will only damage the photos. Instead, interleave the album pages with acid-free paper and store the album flat. Instead, interleave the album pages with acid-free paper and store the album flat.

Step Two Paper folders are a good choice for storing photos. Paper folders are a good choice for storing photos. They are opaque, protecting from light, dust, moisture, and harmful gasses. They are opaque, protecting from light, dust, moisture, and harmful gasses. Folders do not provide good protection when an item must be removed for handling. Folders do not provide good protection when an item must be removed for handling.

Step Two When using folders, use unbuffered paper for: When using folders, use unbuffered paper for: Color photos & negatives Cyanotypes (blueprints) Use buffered paper for: Use buffered paper for: Nitrate and cellulose acetate film Black & white photos & negatives

Step Three If the photo is fragile or will be handled frequently, it should be stored in a plastic sleeve inside an acid- free folder. If the photo is fragile or will be handled frequently, it should be stored in a plastic sleeve inside an acid- free folder. This helps to stabilize the photo and protect it from the elements. This helps to stabilize the photo and protect it from the elements.

Three Types of Plastic Sleeves Polyester (Melinex) Polyester (Melinex) Pros: Clear, smooth, rigid Cons: Expensive Polypropylene Polypropylene Pros: Clear, less expensive Cons: Less rigid Polyethylene Polyethylene Pros: Cheapest Cons: Less rigid, less clear. Polypropylene Sleeves from Office Max

Step Three When possible, store objects of similar size and weight together to provide support. When possible, store objects of similar size and weight together to provide support. Place photos into acid- free folders and boxes. Place photos into acid- free folders and boxes. Always label your folders and boxes for easy retrieval! Always label your folders and boxes for easy retrieval!

Remember! Your goal as an archivist is to preserve your family’s memories. Your goal as an archivist is to preserve your family’s memories. Your goal as a preservationist is to ensure you don’t do anything that can’t be undone! Your goal as a preservationist is to ensure you don’t do anything that can’t be undone!

Archival Resources Use this resource to order the Guide to Collections Care book and materials catalog for free. It’s also where you can order the Family Archives Kit. Make sure you select the blue/gray one to get the quoted price. Use this resource to order the Guide to Collections Care book and materials catalog for free. It’s also where you can order the Family Archives Kit. Make sure you select the blue/gray one to get the quoted price Another free resource, courtesy of the American Institute of Conservation. Use the link on the left-hand side labeled “Resource Center” and the section “Conservation and You” which contains several practical guides for handling everything from textiles to photos, paintings to home videos. These materials are also printable in.pdf format. Another free resource, courtesy of the American Institute of Conservation. Use the link on the left-hand side labeled “Resource Center” and the section “Conservation and You” which contains several practical guides for handling everything from textiles to photos, paintings to home videos. These materials are also printable in.pdf format. p?intProdID=6 p?intProdID=6 p?intProdID=6 p?intProdID=6 Published by the National Institute for Conservation, this book is for those who want more in depth information than what is found in the Guide to Collections care book. It sells for $24.95 through the Heritage Preservation website. Published by the National Institute for Conservation, this book is for those who want more in depth information than what is found in the Guide to Collections care book. It sells for $24.95 through the Heritage Preservation website.

Questions?