8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 1/36
Week IX:
Preservation
March 23, 2011
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 2/36
An interesting question before we
begin from Charlie…
Has the history department ever considereda lab component to this class? It has reallybecame apparent the last few weeks that thiscourse should become an EXL class...the
Gore center, Center for Pop Music, etcshould donate materials they are discardingso the students can practice or experiencetopics such as this weeks. Granted some of
that will be achieved during our hours atRCA, but it won‘t be as organized or timelyas a lab section...maybe 2 hours of lectureand 1.5 hours of lab.
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 3/36
Homework Questions…
What is preservation?
What activities does a preservation
program include?
What is the single most important
deterrent to theft?
What steps can a repository take to
prepare for a disaster?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 4/36
Chapter 3: Nature of Archival
Materials (Ritzenthaler ) Paper
◦ Fibers reduced to pulp, suspended in water,
matted into sheets
◦ Made from plant fibers◦ Cellulose
◦ Invention of paper is normally associated with
the Chinese (200 B.C.) 1850 to Now – Era of Bad Paper…Why??
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 5/36
Types of Paper
Bond
Carbon Paper
Carbonless Paper
Coated
Copying Paper
Cover
Decorated Kraft
Ledger
Manifold
Manila
Newsprint
Onionskin
Parchment
Text or Book
Transparant orTracing
Colored Paper
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 6/36
Unstable Copy Paper
Gelatin Dye Transfer Thermographic
Mimeograph
Hectograph Xerographic Copies
Facsimile Copies◦
Thermal Printing with Heat Sensitive Coating◦ Thermal Transfer using a Pigmented Medium
◦ Electrostatic
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 7/36
Ink & Other Media
Carbon Inks Iron Gallotannate Inks
Copying Inks
Modern Manuscript Inks Porous Pens
Printing Inks
Typewriter Ribbon Inks Non-Impact Printing Inks
Ballpoint Pen Inks
Graphite
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 8/36
Animal Skins
Vegetable Tanned Leather◦ Most common covering for books until 19th
century
◦ Most stable produced in 16th century mainly due
to the slow tanning process that left protectivesalts in…
◦ Late 17th to 19th century – Strong demand meantshortcutting process and quick deterioration
from residual sulphuric acid◦ ―Red Rot‖ – acid causes leather to be hard and
brittle
◦ Leathers most commonly used are: Calf, Goat,
Pigskin, Sheepskin and Suede
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 9/36
Other Materials
Textiles Photographic Materials
Adhesives◦
Acrylic◦ Animal Glues
◦ Cellulose Acetate
◦ Cellulose Nitrate
◦ Methyl Cellulose◦ Starch Paste
◦ Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA)
◦ Rubber-Based
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 10/36
Discussion Questions???
Could the high upfront cost of the massproduction of low acid paper, made from
cotton or other high quality materials,
lessen the costs of the preservation of paper records later on?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 11/36
Chapter 4: Causes of Deterioration
(Ritzenthaler ) Temperature & Relative Humidity
Atmospheric Pollutants
Light
Biological Agents
Abuse & Mismanagement
Disasters
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 12/36
Discussion Questions???
Should archives have, for example, an―archival violation inspector‖ to ensure thatproper preservation/conservation techniqueis being used?
It is possible to achieve an ideal archivalenvironment, factoring in thetemperature/relative humidity/airquality/light/biological agents/maintenance
control described by Hunter andRitzenthaler? Is preservation still possible within a ―less
process, more product‖ system of archivalmanagement?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 13/36
Chapter 5: Creating a Sympathetic
Environment (Ritzenthaler ) Controlled Temperature Relative Humidity
Clean Air & Good Circulation
Controlled Light Sources Freedom From Biological Infestation
Security Controls
Measures to Protect Collections fromFire, Water & Similar Hazards
Good Housekeeping Practices by Staff
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 14/36
Temperature & Relative Humidity
The colder the temperature at whichpaper, books or photographs are
kept…the longer they last…
The reality is… ◦ Cold is hard to maintain and expensive
◦ Relative humidity rises as the temperature
drops which can lead to mold◦ Cold makes it difficult for people (both staff
and patrons) to use facilities…
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 15/36
Air Quality
Dedicated Ventilation Systems
Even Circulation of Constant Volume Air
In and Around the Stacks
Filters to Eliminate Pollutants
Absorption Systems remove gaseous
pollutants
Mechanical Filtration Systems removesolid particles
Archives need both!!!
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 16/36
Monitoring & Detection Equipment
Hygrothermograph – Graphs/records time,temperature and relative humidity
Sling and Aspirating Psychrometers – Temperature and Humidity (just do itdifferently)
Price too high…at least a thermometer andhygrometer◦
Hygrothermograph – From $400 to $2000◦ Sling Psychromter – From $50 to $250
◦ Aspirating Psychrometer – From $100 to $400
◦ Hygrometer - $10 to $80
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 17/36
Light
Records must be protected fromultraviolet light
Stack areas should have no windows
Windows in reading/research roomsshould have UV filtering
All light bulbs in some form or fashion
pose a threat so levels should bemonitored and adjusted (light meters)
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 19/36
Security/Fire & Water Protection
Windows, Doors & Skylights
Emergency Exits Fitted with Alarms
Need for Motion Detectors???
Stacks Closed to Patrons
Keys to Non-Archival Staff Avoided
Fire/Smoke Detectors
Fire Suppression Systems (does not have
to be water)
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 20/36
Discussion Questions???
In chapter five, Ritzenthaler discusses variousthreats to the records in the archive. Whatabout radon? What does an archive do if their building resided on land that emitted
radon? What would their concerns be withregards to the detraction of their records? Ihave to imagine despite what Ann Coultersays, that mild exposure to radiation is notgood for them.
Has LED lighting been approved for use inarchival work? What are the long rangeadvantages or disadvantages?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 22/36
Paper Records & Bound Volumes
Why use two hands when handling paperrecords?
Why remove folders completely instead
of skimming through the top edges? Why must you lay maps out flat on a desk
or table that is bigger than the map itself?
Why wear gloves? How should bound volumes be handled
differently than single pieces of paper?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 23/36
Photographic Materials & Machine-
Dependent Records How should photographs be handled?
How about microfilm?
Motion picture film?
What is there to consider with…
◦ Audio Cylinders & Discs
◦ Audio & Video Magnetic Tapes
◦ Electronic Records (Computer Magnetic Tape,Floppy Discs, etc.)
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 24/36
Chapter 7: Storing & Housing
Archival Materials (Ritzenthaler ) Shelving & Storage Equipment
◦ Good Ventilation & Air Circulation
◦ Space Available (Height)
◦ Local Codes for Clearance Space◦ Light Fixtures
◦ Any Pipes, Electrical Outlets, etc.
◦Wood Shelving to be Avoided…Why???
◦ Unfortunately Most Boils Down to What Can
We Afford…
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 25/36
Housing Materials
Paper and Paperboard Enclosures
Plastic Enclosures
What and Where to Purchase?
Storing Different Record Formats
◦ Loose Paper Records
◦ Loose Oversize Materials
◦ Bound Volumes
◦ Photographic Materials
◦ Machine Dependent Records
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 26/36
Discussion Questions???
Ritzenthaler claims that ―Some archivists andarchives administrators have argued that it is awaste of money to use ‗acid-free‘ folders andboxes to store paper materials that have not beende-acified.‖ Should paper materials first be de-
acified before being placed in acid-free folders andboxes? Why or why not?
Is deacidification a specific process or doesplacing the item in acid free containmentconstitute deacidification?
Considering the small staffs, hefty backlogs andcommitments to users many archives face, did anyof Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler's suggestions abouthousing and storage strike you as excessive or
unrealistic? Which ones and why?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 27/36
Chapter 7: Preservation (Hunter)
The Preservation Problem (or the problemwith paper)
Most paper today has a life span of only 10to 50 years (due to alum-resin sizing)◦ Sulfuric Acid
Types of Deterioration◦ Inherent Chemical
◦Pollutant-Induced
◦ Light-Induced
◦ Biological
◦ Physical
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 28/36
Preservation Surveys
Planning a Preservation Program Repository Level
Collection Level◦
Primary Housing◦ Secondary Housing
◦ Types of Records
◦ Condition of Records
◦ Special Concerns◦ Preservation Priority
◦ Recommendations
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 30/36
Treatment of Materials
Handled by the Archives itself… ◦ Surface Cleaning
◦ Humidification & Flattening
◦
Polyester Film Encapsulation◦ Repairing Simple Tears
Best Referred to Outside Conservator◦ Fumigation
◦ Deacidification
◦ Repairing Extensive Tears & Other PaperStrengthening
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 31/36
Discussion Questions???
Hunter notes that the maximum life expectancyof modern paper is fifty years. Should archivistseven try to preserve modern paper records?Does the benefit of preserving modern paper
records outweigh the amount of time andresources expended on a document that mightnot even exist in ten years?
Imagine that a small county archive has
discovered mold in an important piece of thetheir collection. Also imagine that a privately-owned archive has the same problem. What arethe differences in acquiring the help of aconservator for each archive?
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 32/36
Chapter 8: Security & Disaster
Planning (Hunter ) Security
◦ Physical Security Doors
Locks (Deadbolt)
Windows
Alarms (or Guards for Larger Institutions)
Keys (Carefully Issued & Monitored)
Box Labels
◦ Collection Security Staff
Patrons
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 33/36
Warning Signs of Theft (Staff)
Materials constantly out of their usuallocations
Same person reporting items missing orbeing the one to find missing items
Staff member unconcerned about missingitems
Regular inconsistencies in documentation &records
Staff member‘s disregard for rules andprocedures
Staff members lifestyle does not matchsalary???
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 34/36
Preventing Theft By Patrons…
Require Identification
Establish & Enforce Research Room Rules
Close Stacks to Researchers
Control Access to Research Room (One
Exit Past the Reference Desk)
Always Have Staff Member in Research
Room
Know what is in your collection…Duh!!!
8/6/2019 6615 Week IX Preservation
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/6615-week-ix-preservation 35/36
Before Accusing Someone of
Theft… Have ―Probable Cause‖ Notify Security or Police
Make Sure There is a Credible Witness
Interrupt Researcher‘s Activity…Engage inConversation
Take a Quiet BUT Firm Approach
Try to Avoid a Scene
Never Touch the Patron (Except in Self-Defense)
Offer for Patron to go into Office (They MUST do it
Voluntarily) Wait for Security or Police
If Patron Leaves, Someone should ―carefully‖ followand get license plate number and model of car
Top Related