1. Home ›
  2. Conservation

Conservation

Preservation Processing Guidelines

  • Always utilize size-appropriate folders and boxes.
  • Audio/VHS etc tapes get stored in Hollinger boxes (document cases). (RBSC)
  • Audio/video cassette plastic tabs removed to limit the possibility of recording over the media.
  • Always remove loose leaf binders (3-ring).
  • NEVER attempt to access born-digital material regardless of media type.
  • Spiral/comb bindings are left as-is. If heavily damaged, items are flagged for conservation review.  
  • Remove extraneous folders, save folders with information.
  • Remove paper clips.
  • Remove rubber bands.
  • Leave staples that are in good condition. Rusty staples are removed.
  • Remove metal pins used as fasteners.
  • No sticky-notes. Save your place by using an acid-free bookmark.
  • Selectively place items in polyester sleeves based if the fragility limits safe handling. 
  • Selectivity “internal/mini” paper folders to prevent undesirable interactions, e.g.:
    • To isolate highly acidic pieces from other better quality paper (use paper folders unless material are highly fragile, then use plastic).
    •  To isolate other potential hazards (e.g., greasy or sticky residues) from surrounding items. 
    • To contain torn documents or other items to retain them together intellectually.
  • Negatives, films, transparencies, and slides are sleeved in polypropylene or polyethylene sleeves. (If they arrive sleeved in other types of plastic they are re-sleeved into appropriate plastic sleeves.)
  • Use gloves for handling all films and glass plates. Do not handle if film is sticky.
  • Only handle photographic prints by the sides.
  • Glass-plate negatives require immovable storage. Never stack.
  • Small paper items that are business card sized or smaller are similarly stored in plastic sleeves.
  • Maximum folder capacity is c. 1 inch. 
  • The order of materials as received is retained. Items are not sub-foldered in order to identify/separate individual multi-page manuscripts for content/preservation separation reasons. Items are not individually collated.
  • If materials cannot be safely handled upon processing they are deemed “restricted use” – e.g. very fragile newspaper scrapbooks. Such material gets minimal/low processing/description as well. As items are called up for (supervised) use with curator, and more is learned, they can be reassessed for treatment. 
  • All incoming plastic sleeves are removed. New preservation quality plastic sleeves are provided as appropriate.

Updated August 2019