O ld documents?

1. Old documents? • Old documents and artifacts like letters and photographs can be very helpful understanding local history. • Mr. Roeder can help preserve and copy such material for posterity. • Photocopying is crucial. If the material is destroyed, high quality digital images can remain for future generations. • Store in a stable environment, 60-70 degrees F; 40-50% relative humidity (RH); with clean air and good circulation. • High heat and moisture discolors paper and makes it brittle. • Damp storage creates mold. Handling with bare skin is also damaging, as oils can hard paper and photographs. We suggest using cotton gloves. • Metal fasteners like staples, paper clips, straight pins, prong fasteners, and clamps should be carefully removed because rust and corrosion is damaging. Don’t pull them off roughly. • Do not store in attics or the garage or where pests live. Instead, consider storing in acid free containers in the central part of the house. • Light exposure is damaging, cumulative and irreversible. Paper chemicals can degrade and ink will fade. Therefore, instead of displaying valuable documents, considering high quality photocopies or photographs. • In some cases, consider encapsulating sheets between two sheets of polyester film (Mylar type D or Melinex type 516). Talk to Mr. Roeder before doing this. • Disasters strike. Consider storing photocopies in a separate location from your home and sharing regularly with friends and family. Also consider sharing with the Balch Library, especially the Black History Committee. Before After Briefing by Larry Roeder