Hints & HELP!
of Paper Items
submitted by Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
This article appeared in the February 2, 2003 Lincoln
Journal Star Newspaper.
you ever wonder what you should get rid of or what you should
save? Knowing how to preserve items will help in selecting
what you keep.
from newspapers, programs and other important papers often
take up space that could be put to better use. Paper items
can be harmed by paper clips, candle wax, oil, adhesive
tape, mold, pollution and people. Paper quality varies from
flimsy, short-lived newsprint to durable ledger papers suited
for storage and archives. Light, temperature, moisture and
pests effect the deterioration of paper items. Some problems
and suggestions for preserving paper items include:
light sources can cause paper to fade. Damage from light
is not reversible. Store books and paper items out of direct
sunlight. Valuable papers, such as deeds, diplomas, etc.
can be kept in acid-free folders and stored in a low lighted
area. Valuable documents can be mounted on acid-free boards.
ventilation and less than 55 percent relative humidity is
recommended for a storage area. Forty-five to 60 percent
relative humidity is acceptable for papers. If relative
humidity is too low it can cause drying out and brittleness.
mold from dry paper buy brushing off the mold with a soft
brush and exposing the paper to an hour of sunlight and
circulating air to kill or reduce mold.
reduce pests use moth crystals.
ideal recommended temperature is 60 to 70 degrees F.
paper items can many times be saved with careful steps.
soaked paper can be dried by placing the wet paper items
between layers of clean white blotters, or on top of the
blotter to air dry. Do not weight down. Also do not iron
tape many times leaves a residue or stain after the tape
falls off. There is usually no remedy for the dark brown
stain left from the tape. Be cautious when taping important
and buffered cardboard or all-rag board should be used to
mat or mount valuable keepsakes. Ordinary mat board and
cardboard are acidic and will transfer chemicals to the
paper mounted on it, resulting in stains and possible disintegration.
books upright on shelves and loose enough to be easily removed
without damage to the cover. Paper storage should be well
problems and questions regarding valuable paper documents
may be directed to the Assistant Director for Preservation,
Administration Department, Library of Congress, Washington,