Dear Dr. Book
Dear Dr. Book
Dear Dr. Book
Dear Dr. Book
Dear Dr. Book:
Dear Dr. Book:
Dear Dr. Book:
Dear Dr. Book:
My family just bought a hundred My family just bought a hundredMy family just bought a hundred
My family just bought a hundred----year old house and found several boxes of year old house and found several boxes of year old house and found several boxes of year old house and found several boxes of
newspapers and books in the attic. We decided to keep the collection of fragile old newspapers and books in the attic. We decided to keep the collection of fragile old newspapers and books in the attic. We decided to keep the collection of fragile old newspapers and books in the attic. We decided to keep the collection of fragile old Colorado travel books and maps. How would we best preserve the
Colorado travel books and maps. How would we best preserve the Colorado travel books and maps. How would we best preserve the
Colorado travel books and maps. How would we best preserve these materials?se materials?se materials?se materials?
New Homeowners
New Homeowners
New Homeowners
New Homeowners
Dear New Homeowners:
When libraries and other cultural institutions review materials for conservation treatment decisions, they take look at the archival, intrinsic or monetary value of the materials; the expected future use of the items; storage requirements; and expense, time and staff requirements. With materials similar to your fragile Colorado travel books and maps, it is better to do nothing than something in terms of repair. Having not seen the materials, I would recommend rehousing the materials with protective enclosures for long term preservation. Options include:
• Archival envelopes are ideal for small folded maps and pamphlets. The envelope should be just slightly larger than the item so that the item is easy to remove from the envelope, yet the item does not slide around.
• Archival folders work best for any large maps that are stored open and flat.
• There several types of enclosures for books or larger pamphlets: clam shell boxes, portfolios, and phase boxes, each of which is custom made to exactly fit the contents.
o Phase boxes or “wrappers” consist of two custom-cut strips of board, crossed
perpendicular to each other, and adhered to form a two-ply rear board with four flaps, which are folded around the book and secured.
o Clam shell boxes or “double-tray boxes” consists of two attached trays, one slightly larger than the other, which when closed, snugly encase the item inside.
o Portfolios are similar to folders, but are enclosed to further protect the contents.
You can purchase archival envelopes and folders and the supplies to make phase boxes and portfolios, but I would recommend contacting a conservation technician or binder for clam shell boxes.
For additional information on protective enclosures or general preservation, please contact “Dear Dr. Book” in care of Stay Connected,,,, Colorado State University Libraries, Fort Collins, Co 80523-1019.
