Learn about best practices for conservation, preservation, and digitization from the Archives’ Collections Care team.

For a small museum or historical cultural site, a good place to start is the Audiovisual Self-Assessment Program (AvSAP) online resource developed at the University of Illinois (with partners). AvSAP will guide you through a series of assessment tools (downloadable to use with your collections input) to better inform yourself about the breadth, values and condition of your collection and lead you through decision making processes and best practices for your collection.

Generally, we no longer laminate, but prefer encapsulation with polyester (formerly Mylar D, now available as Melinex in the US) as a technique when necessary for handling and viewing as opposed to archival paper folders. This is done with an either an edge welder or ultrasonic welder which bonds the polyester to polyester, but not to the paper, which floats free between the sheets.

An appointment document of Giles B. Jackson (Esq.) by Theodore Roosevelt as honorary "Colonel" for the 1905 Presidential Inaugural Parade, Washington, DC, was laminated in 1989 using an adhesive backed polymer sheeting pressed onto the document which was then framed. I would like to have it restored and believe that it is not beyond saving. After restoration, I wish to have it encapsulated to preserve it for years to come.

I know paper yellows with age, and photographs fade with exposure to sunlight (UV), but why yellow? And not blue, red or just fade in general?

I am trying to find out where I might have some one look at item I found about 25 years ago behind a very old oil painting. I have enclosed [received via email with attachments] pictures of that item, which is the Constitution. After viewing a history show last week and they spoke of some one else finding a copy of the Constitution the same way, I thought that I should have some one check out mine.They said in the show that 174 copies were still missing of the first 200 ever made. If you could direct my to the right place I would be very happy.

Hello, I have a print from my parent's wedding in 1920. Unfortunately my mother repaired it with tape at the edges and its turning all sorts of colors. Can I remove it safely?

I need to store a silk banner made in the late 1800's to early 1900's. Can you provide recommended proper storage advice?

 

I have family photos that have become stuck together. Is there a safe way to get these photos "unstuck"?

 

I’m working with old papers that are difficult to read. Is there any technique which can help me make the text more legible?

I would like to display an old map. Can you give me advice about how best to hang it and keep it in good condition?

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