Paper: Best Practices for Conservation
The best conservation techniques for preserving paper are preventative in nature. The Tennessee State Library and Archives, Preservation Services: Conversation division advocates a stable environment. Under "Preserving Family Collections," the State Archives stresses that "The best protection for your books, papers, photographs, and prints is a "safe" environment: moderate temperature and relative humidity; clean air and good air circulation; no natural or fluorescent light; and good housekeeping."[1]
In addition to maintaining a proper climate, appropriate handling of paper can increase its longevity. In Preserving Archives & Manuscripts Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler includes a list of paper handling tips. Among them are suggestions like:
1. Look before handling records
2. Hold records lightly but securely
3. Use two hands to handle moderately oversized materials
4. Wear gloves [2]
[1] "Preserving Family Collections," Tennessee State Library and Archives http://www.tn.gov/tsla/preservation/familycollections.htm (accessed February 3, 2012).
[2] Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Preserving Archives & Manuscripts (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2010), 153-154