How to
store Photos and Documents
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Paper Clippings should be photocopied onto alkaline paper.
Use
only lignin free (Lignin or lignen is a complex chemical compound most
commonly derived from wood), acid free, un-buffered paper for storing
photographs or as interleaving paper in albums
Use only PVC-free plastics such as
Polyester, Mylar, Polypropylene, Polyethelyne and Tyvek (Other plastics are
not chemically stable and will release damaging acids over time.
Especially dangerous is PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic commonly found in
"store-bought" binders; it emits hydrochloric acid over time)
Most items in storage, especially in
the collectibles arena, would benefit from storage in a
buffered enclosure (non-buffered is alkaline and buffered is leaning town more
neutral environment). This is especially true for the vast majority of paper
items. Because of its ability to neutralize acids and extend the life of paper,
photographs, textiles, and artifacts, buffering is more often than not a
benefit
Scrapbooks
and albums should be boxed and stored flat on shelves. Given their structure
and the techniques used to mount items, scrapbooks and albums are often bulky
and do not close tightly. For this reason, boxing is important to keep dust
from sifting into the volumes. Flat storage also will keep loose items from
falling to the bottoms of volumes, where they could become bent and damaged.
Photographic
materials (prints and negatives) that are to be retained within files of
textual records should be placed in polyester sleeves. Polyester film
enclosures allow immediate visual access to images without the need for
researchers to remove photographs Polyester film also serves as a good barrier
between photographic materials and adjacent textual records in the same file. Ideally,
each print or negative should be placed in an individual sleeve, and prints and
negatives should be filed separately. Before they are sleeved, photographs
should be lightly dusted with a soft brush.
No
attempt should be made to remove photographic prints from mounts, backings, or
similar supports.
In most
instances, loose archival records should not be run through automatic feed
devices; records that are in poor condition are
especially vulnerable in such situations.
Damaged
or fragile records that have been placed in polyester sleeves for physical
protection should not be removed from sleeves before they are photocopied.
No
attempt should be made to copy oversize records and bound volumes on photocopy
machines with small copying surfaces. Records will be damaged as they are
manipulated to piece together a complete image.
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