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Preventive Conservation: Works on Paper

What is Preventive Conservation? It is all measures and actions aimed at avoiding and minimizing future deterioration or loss. They are carried out within the context or on the surroundings of an item, but more often a group of items, whatever their age a

Tips for Works on Paper

Handle paper objects are little and as carefully as possible
Take extra care with brittle paper
Keep documents flat on table tops
Do not allow documents to hang over table edges
House frequently-consulted fragile documents in polyester sleeves
Be mindful of edges and corners, which may be more fragile or damaged

Tips for Oversized Works

Use support boards or portfolios to transport items to reading room
Lift oversized paper objects via opposite corners on a diagonal
Check for tears and weak areas at corners and edges before moving
Use soft weights to hold curling or rolled paper

Tips for Rolled Paper

Make sure in advance that you have sufficient space to unroll the item
Slowing unroll item, checking for edge damage as you go
Use weights to secure the free edge to allow you use of both hands for the rest of the unrolling
Remind patrons not to re-roll items themselves but to ask for assistance