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TOP TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL RECORDS OF SCOTLAND ON PRESERVING DOCUMENTS

1. Keep documents and photographs away from daylight.
UV rays damage paper and ink. Light can darken paper and fade inks and pigments, and eventually the paper itself can be weakened. Framing and permanent display of originals is also not recommended.

2. Keep them in a cool and dry place.

3. Protect fragile documents in acid-free paper envelopes or folders, or in archive-quality transparent sleeves.
Do not use ordinary polythene sleeves or bags; they are not chemically stable, and can trap moisture.
Sleeves etc can be obtained from specialist suppliers, or try your local archive for advice. Be wary of the word ' archive' in advertisements for storage materials, as this does not necessarily mean they are of the proper quality.

4. Put photographs in archive-quality transparent sleeves.
Always handle original prints or negatives by the edges, preferably wearing gloves in order to avoid marking the surface. Do not put them in albums sealed over with with a transparent film, and avoid writing information on the back of the photograph

5. Do not try repairing torn documents or photographs
Using adhesive tape is bad. The glue can cause permanent stains, and may remove the surface of the document or photograph. Take documents to a conservator if you want them properly repaired.

http://www.conservationregister.com/ website has all sorts of useful information.

Conservators are different from bookbinders; always check qualifications and experience, and use an accredited conservator or company if you can.

More details of basic preservation can be found in our guidelines for private owners at http://www.nas.gov.uk/downloads/preservationGuidelines.pdf.

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