Storage materials
Materials in which you store your collection can be extremely important
to its state of preservation. When selecting supplies for collection
storage, buy only from reputable suppliers of archival products. Do not
rely on local office supply stores. Many commercially available
folders, sleeves, and envelopes are acidic. Plastics may be contaminated
or have harmful coatings or plasticizers, and adhesives are often acidic
and can stain permanently.
The best protection for your most
valuable issues is a custom-made box to protect magazines from light and dust, provide support in handling and transport, and mitigate changes in
the environment.
If you cannot buy
your supplies from an archival supplies vendor, at least try to avoid
the most damaging materials. Products to avoid include
- wood bookcases, bookends, or boxes (all are damaging to paper),
- craft paper and manila envelopes and folders, which are acidic,
- regular glassine, which can be acidic,
- paper clips, staples, and
other fasteners,
- rubber bands and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and labels,
- all unknown
products and materials.
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