Conservation: paper and documents

NEDCC

The Northeast Document Conservation Center provides concise “preservation leaflets” for all aspects of document conservation, preservation, storage, and exhibition. The documents function as GHM guides to policy for issues not directly addressed in our Collection Management Policy.

We provide the links below for convenience, but for serious reference the NEDCC listing should be used to ensure the most complete and updated information.

1. Planning and Prioritizing

• 1.1 What Is Preservation Planning? HTML
• 1.2 Preservation Assessment and Planning HTML
• 1.3 The Needs Assessment Survey HTML PDF
• 1.4 Considerations for Prioritizing HTML
• 1.5 Collections Policies and Preservation HTML
• 1.6 Priority Actions for Preservation HTML

2. The Environment

• 2.1 Temperature, Relative Humidity, Light, and Air Quality: Basic Guidelines for Preservation HTML
• 2.2 Monitoring Temperature and Relative Humidity HTML PDF
• 2.3 Getting Function from Design: Making Systems Work HTML
• 2.4 Protection from Light Damage HTML PDF
• 2.5 Protecting Paper and Book Collections During Exhibition HTML PDF
• 2.6 Low Cost/No Cost Improvements in Climate Control HTML

3. Emergency Management

• 3.1 Protection from Loss: Water and Fire Damage, Biological Agents, Theft, and Vandalism HTML
• 3.2 Introduction to Fire Detection and Automatic Sprinklers for Cultural Heritage HTML PDF
• 3.3 Emergency Planning HTML PDF
• 3.4 Worksheet for Outlining an Emergency Response Plan HTML PDF
• 3.5 Disinfecting Books and Other Collections HTML PDF
• 3.6 Emergency Salvage of Wet Books and Records HTML
• 3.7 Emergency Salvage of Wet Photographs HTML PDF
• 3.8 Emergency Salvage of Moldy Books and Paper HTML PDF
• 3.9 Protecting Collections During Renovation HTML
• 3.10 Integrated Pest Management HTML PDF
• 3.11 Collections Security: Planning and Prevention for Cultural Heritage Institutions HTML PDF
• 3.12 Freezing and Drying Wet Books and Records HTML

4. Storage and Handling

• 4.1 Storage and Handling for Books and Artifacts on Paper HTML PDF
• 4.2 Storage Furniture: A Brief Review of Current Options HTML
• 4.3 Cleaning Books and Shelves HTML PDF
• 4.4 Storage Enclosures for Books and Artifacts on Paper HTML
• 4.5 Packing and Shipping Paper Artifacts HTML PDF
• 4.6 Packing and Shipping Audio Media HTML PDF
• 4.7 The Book Shoe: Description and Uses HTML
• 4.9 Storage Solutions for Oversized Paper Artifacts HTML
• 4.10 Matting and Framing for Works on Paper and Photographs HTML PDF

5. Photographs

• 5.1 A Short Guide to Film Base Photographic Materials: Identification, Care, and Duplication HTML PDF
• 5.2.1 Types of Photographs, part 1: 19th and Early 20th Century HTML PDF
• 5.2.2 Types of Photographs, part 2: Color HTML PDF
• 5.2.3 Types of Photographs, part 3: Digital Output Media HTML PDF
• 5.3 Care of Photographs HTML PDF
• 5.4 Creating Long-Lasting Inkjet Prints HTML PDF
• 5.5 Storage Enclosures for Photographic Materials HTML PDF

6. Reformatting

• 6.1 Microfilm and Microfiche HTML PDF
• 6.2 Duplication of Historical Negatives HTML
• 6.3 Digital Technology Made Simpler HTML
• 6.4 The Relevance of Preservation in a Digital World HTML
• 6.5 Digital Preservation HTML
• 6.6 Preservation and Selection for Digitization HTML
• 6.7 Outsourcing and Vendor Relations HTML

7. Conservation Procedures

• 7.1 Guidelines for Library Binding HTML PDF
• 7.2 Surface Cleaning of Paper HTML PDF
• 7.4 Custom Protective Enclosures HTML PDF
• 7.5 Conservation Treatment for Works of Art and Unbound Artifacts on Paper HTML PDF
• 7.6 Conservation Treatment for Bound Materials of Value HTML PDF
• 7.7 Choosing and Working with a Conservator HTML PDF
• 7.8 Removal of Damaging Fasteners from Historic Documents HTML PDF