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Preserving Personal
Books and Papers
The key to extending
the life of your books and papers is not necessarily in repairing them,
but in preventing damage from occurring. More than anything else, preservation
involves control of storage conditions, plus regularly checking through
your collections to make sure no harmful situations have arisen (such
as mold or insect infestations). If proper conditions are maintained,
books and papers may last several times as long as they would have otherwise.
Storage Conditions
to Avoid
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High humidity. Paper-based materials survive best in low or
moderate relative humidity (RH). It also helps to keep the humidity
as stable as possible. The AMNH Library keeps its books and documents
at about 40-45% RH, but this may not be easy to achieve for a private
collection. It is important to try to keep the RH below 65%, as after
even a few days of humidity this high in a warm room (70 degrees Fahrenheit
or above), mold may develop. Warm, humid conditions also encourage insect
infestations. Books and papers should not be stored against outside
walls, on damp floors, or anywhere they might be exposed to water. Basements
and garages are usually not safe storage places for these materials.
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Heat. High temperatures can be very harmful to paper, as they
hasten its chemical deterioration. Generally speaking, the rate of this
deterioration theoretically doubles for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit
rise in temperature. The temperature in non-air-conditioned attics and
garages in the summer months may well be high enough to damage books
and papers.
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Light. All light (especially sunlight and fluorescent light)
is damaging to books and paper; it causes fading and contributes to
some chemical deterioration. Typical results of light damage include
fading, browning or other discoloration of pictures and documents hung
on walls, and fading of book spines. Some materials are more sensitive
than others, and will change noticeably in a short time if kept in bright
light.
Materials to Avoid
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Rubber cement. This turns brown after a few years, and stains
the paper; as the adhesive ages, it also loses its ability to hold things
together.
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Adhesive tapes. Any self-adhesive tape, such as "Magic Mending"
tape or drafting tape may cause serious problems over time. For instance,
mended paper which is weak may break along the edge of the tape used
to repair a tear. The adhesives used can sink into the paper, staining
it, and blurring some writing inks.
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Rubber bands. These turn sticky, then hard. They will eventually
break or worse, stick to whatever they are in contact with.
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Paper clips. These make dents in paper, and can tear it when
removed. They also rust.
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Vinyl. This type of plastic is chemically unstable, and should
be avoided when choosing notebooks, scrapbooks, and photograph albums.
Inert plastics such as polyester (Mylar D, or Melinex 516), Polypropylene,
and polyethylene are much safer to use.
General Tips
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Take steps to protect your materials from damage by fire, water, high temperatures
and humidity, light, dust and soot, insects and rodents.
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Use "archival quality"
(acid-free, alkaline buffered, or inert) boxes, envelopes, file folders,
plastic page protectors, etc. to store your documents. (See list of suppliers.)
Keep acidic papers such as newsprint away from other materials.
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Handle fragile
materials carefully. Do not allow books on shelves to lean; once they become
warped it is often impossible to return them to their original shape. Do
not use books as coasters, doorstops, tables, or flower presses.
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For those
items requiring conservation treatment, consult a qualified conservator.
You can find one in your area by calling the Conservation Services Referral
System of the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation, or
by writing to the American Institute for Conservation, 1717 K St., N.W.,
Suite 301, Washington, DC, 20006. Phone: (202)452-9545, Fax: (202)452-9328.
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