Exploring

Handling Collections

Handling Paper Collections

Using Collections

As a result of both use and shelving, certain types of damage to book collections are commonly seen: headcap damage from pulling books off the shelf; spine damage from forcing books open; tearing and creasing from folding of page corners; and abrasion from being dropped. Documents may be torn, folded, or accidentally marked, while photographs may be damaged by dirt and oils from fingers. Making reference photocopies of frequently consulted documents and photographs is one way to greatly reduce this sort of damage.

Every time you handle collection materials, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have a valid reason for picking this up?
• What is its condition?
• What is the safest way to hold it?
• Is it too fragile to lift without a secondary support?
• Do I need a second person to assist? Do I need a cart or trolley?
• After I have lifted the object, where will I set it down again?
• Are my hands clean? Should I wear gloves?

Processing Collections

It is also important to remember that collections-processing techniques suitable for general collections should not be used on materials with value as artifacts. These procedures include painting call numbers on books; affixing pressure-sensitive labels; and attaching pockets, bookplates, and bar codes (the adhesives may damage the materials and leave a sticky residue when they fail).

Sometimes it may be difficult to know whether books with long-term research value may eventually have value as artifacts. One strategy for processing such materials is to use a polyester book jacket fastened with 3M double-sided tape no. 415 and to label the jacket. If bookplates or pockets are used in books of enduring value, they should be made of low-lignin, alkaline paper and attached with a stable, reversible adhesive, preferably wheat starch paste or methyl cellulose.

Take a few moments to look at the pictures below. What dos and don'ts for handling paper collections are represented in each?