Safe Environment

Keep the materials that you have decided to keep in a safe environment. It should have moderate temperature and low relative humidity; clean air; out of any direct sunlight or long term exposure to indoor lighting. Use good housekeeping practices. Don't store materials in the attic or basement or the garage or near a water source, like overhead steam or water pipes.

Place materials on metal shelving or in metal cabinets.

Air-conditioning will ventilate, filter air, control temperature, and control humidity.

Paper is very affected by direct contact with natural or artificial lighting. Keep papers away from the direct sunlight, i.e. windows. When materials are on exhibit, turn the pages or remove from the exhibit every three months.

Check the area often to look for signs of vermin, insects, and excessive dust.

Handle the collections carefully. Eating or drinking should not be allowed in the areas of the collections.

Plans should be made for preservation procedures to use with natural disasters, e.g. fire, flood, storm and broken pipes. The Center for Restoration Studies is on the middle floor of the library; there is a floor between the papers and the roof and a floor between the materials and the basement, which in our case is located in a natural waterway. The Center does not have an outside wall, which gives additional protection from the elements. Lights may be turned off and on as researchers have need of them.

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