Are Your Archives at Risk?

In my book, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs, I discuss the techniques that archivists use to protect historical materials from the ravages of time. I find that it's also helpful to discuss what can cause damage to your archival items. Many hazards are obvious, but others may surprise non-professionals. 

Here are the major threats to papers, photographs, and other physical items:

Improper handling, either handling the documents roughly or by having them come into contact with the natural dirt and oils in your skinFluctuating or extreme temperaturesFluctuating or extreme relative humidity levels, especially high humidityHigh levels of or frequent exposure to light, especially ultraviolet rays.Pollutants such as tobacco, fireplace, or cooking smoke; dirt and dust; urban air pollutionProximity to highly-acidic documents that migrate like newspaper clippingsHarmful fasteners, like metal clips or rubber bands, and adhesivesStorage in folded, creased, or rolled conditionsStorage in acidic containers or adhesive albums, like magnetic photo albumsStorage or transport in positions that cause falling, bending, breakage, or pressingMold, mildew, rodents, insects, and animals in generalLaminationStatic electricityImproper labeling or packagingSpillage of food, beverages, or other contaminants near documentsNatural disasters such as floods, fire, and leaksTheft, vandalism, unwanted sale, dispersal, or disposal

Some documents are particularly susceptible to damage. Special risk materials include: 

Newspaper clippingsHighly-acidic papers such as telegrams, and scrapbook and photo album pagesCharcoal, pastel, chalk, or heavily applied pencil drawings or writingsScrapbooks, baby books, and other mixed-media albumsRare published booksPhotographsFolded or rolled documentsDocuments with fading inkEphemera, because they were created for short-term use Tapes, discs, and other recording mediaDigital items, especially if no backup systems exist

Have I scared you? Lists like this are what keep archivists up at night! If you are interested in learning quick, easy, and affordable ways to avoid these risks and protect your family legacy, Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs will provide the answers. 

To learn the preservation secrets used by libraries, archives, and museums to protect their priceless materials (that you can also use for your family heritage items), read my book: 

Creating Family Archives: How to Preserve Your Papers and Photographs

By Margot Note

Like this post? Never miss an update when you sign up for my newsletter:

Ready to get started creating your family archives? Here are some of my favorite products:

Follow me on Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook