In order to pass along important documents, photographs, books, etc. to family, it is necessary to properly care for these delicate and treasured pieces of history. The following information was collected from the United States Library of Congress for optimal non-professional preservation. We hope you take the time and care to document and preserve your historical items so that future generations will be able to enjoy them for years to come.

The following points should be avoided when handling and archiving any and all historical items:

• Avoid having food and drinks in the area of your collection.
• Use pencils or special photograph pencils when identifying and labeling items because ink can disfigure and bleed through items.
• Cleaning of any item should be done by a professional otherwise you assume the risk of damaging the item.

Photographs

• DO NOT store photographic materials in an attic or basement as the humidity or lack thereof will either damage them or accelerate deterioration. Relative humidity is the single most important factor in preserving most photographic materials. Conditions of around 30-40% relative humidity are appropriate and easiest to maintain in enclosed areas.
• The ideal temperature for storage is at 40° or below. Temperature is the controlling factor in the stability of contemporary color photographs.
• Exposure to visible and ultraviolet (UV) light is potentially damaging to photographs. Photographs exposed to light over years can cause them to become brittle and cause yellowing and color fading. Many people display family photographs for extended amounts of time, but it is not recommended unless UV-filtering plastic or glass framing is used.
• Atmospheric pollutants, particularly sulfur compounds, will cause black and white images to fade and discolor. Gas by-products given off by fresh paint fumes, plywood, deteriorated cardboard and cleaning supplies may cause accelerated deterioration.
• Avoid touching fragile photographic materials; salts in human perspiration may damage surfaces. If photographs are handled improperly, they can suffer disastrous damage, including cracks, tears, abrasions, fingerprints, and stains. Wear cotton gloves if possible when handling negatives and prints.
• Store photographs in protective enclosures to ensure the preservation. Avoid and remove all acidic paper and cardboard, PVC plastic, rubber bands, staples, paper clips, rubber cement, and pressure-sensitive tapes. Protective enclosures MUST be acid-free and lignin-free. Buffered (alkaline) paper is recommended for brittle prints and deteriorated film-base negatives, but is NOT recommended for contemporary colored materials.
• Storage of family photographs in albums is often desirable, and many commercially available albums utilize archival-quality materials. Avoid albums constructed of highly colored pages. NEVER use “magnetic” or “no stick” albums. These materials will deteriorate or even “glue” your photographs to the album therefore making them almost impossible to remove without damaging them.

Newspapers, Manuscripts, Drawings, Prints, Posters, Maps

• Avoid heat and dampness which can cause mold growth or foxing, which is small brown spots in the paper. Aim for 35% relative humidity or below and avoid using attics and basements for storage.
• Keep all paper items away from all light sources. Visible and ultraviolet (UV) light can cause fading and/or yellowing of light sensitive items such as watercolors, manuscripts, and newsprints. Exposure to light should be reduced as much as possible. Items displayed in frames should have a filtered glaze and hung on inside walls away from sunlight.
• Protect paper items from dust, dirt, fumes, and pollutants by using alkaline storage materials to provide a buffer.
• Monitor for evidence of rodents, insects such as silverfish, book lice and book worms, which can eat, soil and damage paper. Good housekeeping and environmental conditions will help reduce these threats.
• Store paper items flat, rather than folding and unfolding, which can lead to creases. Papers should be stored in acid-free alkaline folders or mats. Highly acidic materials such as newspaper clippings should be isolated from other items to avoid acid migration.
• For large volumes of printed materials, professional services may be obtained for preservation photocopying, microphotography (microfilming), or digitization.
• Keep hands clean and dry when handling paper items because the oils from fingers can cause stains.

CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, Cassette tapes, Reel tapes, Discs

• Do not touch the playing surface of ANY recording and clean hands before handling any type of recording. Handle all grooved discs (78s, 45s, LPs, etc.) by their edge and label areas only and all CDs by the outer edge or center hole only. Reel tapes should be handled by the outer edge of the reel flanges and center hub areas only. Do not squeeze the flanges together; it will damage the tape edges. Handle all tapes (cassettes, audio, video, etc.) by the outer shell only.
• Store all discs, tapes, reels and cassettes standing on their upright edge (vertically).DO NOT lay any recording down.
• Storage areas should be between a constant 65-70°F and 45-50% relative humidity. Colder temperatures and lower humidity levels will help prolong the life span of the recording. Also store recordings in dark areas to prevent deterioration from light as well.
• Keep all tape recordings away from potential sources of demagnetization, such as loudspeakers. Electromagnetic or heated equipment can demagnetize recordings. Also be careful of operating machines with electric motors next to tape storage areas for the same reason.
• Contrary to what your local video-store may say, tapes, including cassettes, should not be stored in the rewound or fast-forwarded position. Ideally, play the tape through completely, and then store it without rewinding. Rewind it just before playing it again.

Books

• Avoid high humidity which can promote mold growth, cockle pages, and attract insects. Also avoid extremely low humidity which can dry out leather bindings.
• Keep books out of direct sun-light to prevent fading and store in enclosed and interior wall bookcases to minimize dust, dirt, and grime.
• Properly handle and store books to prolong its life. If a book will not lie flat, do not force the book open; the covers should always be supported. When pulling a book off from a shelf, DO NOT pull it by the top of the spine. Instead, push the two adjoining books inward and remove the book by grasping the spine. Place similar sized books next to each other vertically to prevent warping.
• DO NOT use rubber bands, string or common tape to “repair” a book which can brittle pages and damage the cover. A flat, soft ribbon (such as cotton twill tape) can be used for an immediate and temporary solution until it can be repaired by a professional.
• Protect fragile and dry flaking leather books in boxes custom made to the book's dimensions. Wrapping the book in acid-free, lignin-free paper is best to keep all fragments and dirt from transferring to hands and the rest of the book's pages.
• Take immediate action if a book should get wet to prevent mold growth which can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after being exposed to moisture. You can save a wet book by air-drying. What cannot be air-dried in 48 hours, can probably be frozen to stabilize the paper and then dried at a later time. To air-dry a book, fan the pages open and stand them on the top or bottom edge on an absorbent material. As the absorbent material becomes wet, change it and as the book dries, turn it upside-down. Increasing air circulation will dry out items more efficiently, but if using an electric fan, do not point it directly at the book(s).
• If you suspect the water that damaged the book may have been contaminated with sewage or chemicals, you must wear protective clothing, gloves and a mask to protect your skin and lungs. If mold is present, seek professional advice.
• Check for active or dormant mold growth in books that smell of mildew. Mildew comes from biological growth when books are stored in damp, dark, cool locations. Move the books to a drier but still cool location with plenty of air circulation. These conditions should render the mildew dormant and if kept under these conditions, the smell should eventually disappear. A short exposure to sunlight and circulating air outdoors also may help to rid the books of the mildew smell.
• Monitor books for evidence of rodents, insects such as silverfish, book lice and book worms, which can eat, soil and damage paper. Isolate the affected books by placing them in a tightly sealed plastic bag. Depending on the infestation, keep room temperature and humidity levels low, seal entry points including windows, doors, and put filters on vents. Keep the environment clean and dusted, and don't store books near food or trash, etc.

To contact an appropriate professional conservator in your area or for conservation treatment, you may contact:

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
1156 15th Street NW, Ste. 320
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 452-9545
Fax: (202) 452-9328
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.conservation-us.org/