General Preservation
Use links in the light blue box above to browse questions by subject/format.
- What's the difference between preservation and conservation?
- How do I preserve my collections (e.g., books; family heirlooms; photographs; works of art; etc.)?
- Should gloves be worn when handling valuable collections?
- How can I get my damaged collection item repaired?
- Can the Library of Congress conserve/digitize my collection item?
- How do I find a conservator?
- How much is my collection item worth?
- Can I donate my collection item to the Library of Congress?
- How can I be sure that my donated collection will be well preserved?
- How should I pack collections for storage or shipping?
- Where can I buy preservation supplies?
- Are plastic storage bins and bags safe for storing collections?
- Is it okay to store my collections in the basement/attic/garage if I put them in plastic bags or bins?
- What should I do with a wet/moldy collection item?
- How can I get rid of a musty/mildewy smell from my collection item?
- How can I get rid of bugs infesting my collections?
- How do I copyright my work?
- How can I safely exhibit/display my collection item?
- How does one become a conservator?
- Does the Library of Congress offer preservation courses?
What's the difference between preservation and conservation?
Preservation encompasses all efforts -- including conservation -- to keep and maintain or improve the condition of collections to counter manmade damage or the natural effects of time. Conservation focuses on understanding the material, fabrication/construction, strengths/weaknesses, history, and significance of collection items to advance their preservation, through documented examination, research, treatment (see examples of treatment), and preventive conservation measures.
How do I preserve my collections (e.g., books; family heirlooms; photographs; works of art; etc.)?
The most effective and economical preservation measures for all types of collections (e.g., paper, books, photographs, audio-visual, other family heirlooms, etc.) are preventive: proper storage, storage environment, and handling. These measures help preserve the physical thing; for audio-visual materials and digital files, which require playback equipment/software, reformatting and regular backups are necessary.
Read collections care tips for non-library materials 
, such as paintings, furniture, textiles, sculpture, decorative and other objects (American Institute for Conservation). See also Caring for Private and Family Collections (Northeast Document Conservation Center).
Should gloves be worn when handling valuable collections?
It depends on the material(s) out of which the item is made. Gloves should be worn when handling materials that are marred by the natural oils on skin -- this includes photographs, metals, ivory -- and whenever there is a suspected health hazard (e.g., mold).
Though clean gloves prevent the transfer of natural skin oils to paper, they reduce tactile sensitivity and increase clumsiness. Studies have shown that skin oils can affect how paper ages, but some preservation experts prioritize reducing the physical risk from reduced tactility; see "Misperceptions About White Gloves / Fausses idées sur les gants blancs," [PDF: 192 KB / 14 p] from International Preservation News.
Always handle collection materials with clean hands whether wearing gloves or not.
How can I get my damaged collection item repaired?
Conservation work to address damage is time consuming and costly to do correctly.
If the item has collection value and is not used or exposed to risk of further damage, consider leaving it as-is and focusing on improving storage conditions.
If the item is of personal/sentimental value only, the damage is minor, and some risk of further damage from do-it-yourself repair is acceptable, the Northeast Document Conservation Center has put together helpful information on basic conservation procedures (scroll down to section 7). The goal is to enable safer handling and to pair this with an effort to improve storage housing (i.e., boxing) and storage environment. Avoid using any kind of self-stick tape, even if it is marketed as "archival."
If the item is of particular value, has progressing damage, or is handled frequently, consider consulting a conservator, who can advise on the pros and cons of treatment.
Can the Library of Congress conserve/digitize my collection item?
The Library of Congress is not able to provide preservation or digitization services for items that are not part of the Library's collections.
Two main options for obtaining conservation services are: with a conservator in private practice or at a regional conservation center. The website of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) features information on How to Choose a Conservator and How to Find a Conservator by region, specialty, type of service, etc. The Regional Alliance for Preservation (RAP) maintains a list of conservation services and of U.S. regional conservation centers by geographic area (note: not all RAP members, such as the Library of Congress, offers conservation services to the public).
How do I find a conservator?
Two main options for obtaining conservation services are: with a conservator in private practice or at a regional conservation center. The website of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) features information on How to Choose a Conservator and How to Find a Conservator by region, specialty, type of service, etc. The Regional Alliance for Preservation (RAP) maintains a list of conservation services and of U.S. regional conservation centers by geographic area (note: not all RAP members, such as the Library of Congress, offers conservation services to the public).
How much is my collection item worth?
The Library of Congress does not provide appraisal services. The Smithsonian Institution has put together useful information on appraisals. For books specifically, Your Old Books (Rare Book and Manuscript Section, American Library Association) addresses some frequently asked questions about rare books and various aspects of collecting, including terminology, condition, and value. The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America also has information on collecting, appraising, and selling as well as a directory of booksellers and appraisers.
See also, How much is a book worth?
Can I donate my collection item to the Library of Congress?
The Library's Acquisitions office handles donations of books and other materials. See also, Can I donate a book to the Library?
How can I be sure that my donated collection will be well preserved?
Donating your collection item or collection is a very personal decision. Donors often select a recipient that is meaningful to them, such as an alma mater, local institution, or another organization with which they have close ties. Apart from the conditions you may wish to set on how your gift may be used, donors should always inquire after the long-term preservation of their gift and might consider selecting a different institution if the first cannot adequately provide for the upkeep and preservation of the object(s).
For additional information, see A Guide to Donating Your Personal or Family Papers to a Repository (Society of American Archivists).
How should I pack collections for storage or shipping?
How objects are packed and arranged in storage boxes and shipping crates helps minimize risk of physical damage and there are specific tips for different kinds of objects. Especially for long-term storage, choose appropriate storage materials to prevent chemical damage from poor quality packing materials. See Handling, Packing, and Shipping [PDF: 4.73 MB / 32 p] (National Park Service, Museum Handbook I).
Follow recommendations for good storage environment.
For further information about packing various kinds of library materials, see Moving Collections [PDF: 1.57 MB / 23 p] (British Library); Packing & storing books (State Library of Victoria); Packing and Shipping Paper Artifacts (Northeast Document Conservation Center).
Where can I buy preservation supplies?
- Boxes (Northern States Conservation Center)
- LAPNet List of Disaster Supplies (Los Angeles Preservation Network)
- Selected Vendors of Preservation Supplies [PDF: 170 KB / 1 p] (Smithsonian Institution Archives)
Are plastic storage bins and bags safe for storing collections?
Polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET) plastic zip bags, sleeves, or bins without any additional slip or coating agents are considered stable and inert plastics. Avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other unknown plastics.
Is it okay to store my collections in the basement/attic/garage if I put them in plastic bags or bins?
Do not store objects of value in the basement, attic, or garage. These areas are unsuitable for safely storing collections because of poor temperature and relative humidity control and higher risk of leaks and floods.
Polyethylene or polypropylene bags or bins are useful as a secondary protection against water damage (first protection is avoiding areas of higher water risk), but do not offer protection against the deteriorating effects of environmental extremes found in basements/attics/garages. In addition, the combination of a plastic storage container in an area of high humidity increases mold risk.
What should I do with a wet/moldy collection item?
Take necessary safety precautions if the water is contaminated with sewage or other hazards or if there is active (wet or furry) mold growth.
Set out objects to air dry immediately upon getting wet or discovery of wetness or mold and control the ambient temperature and relative humidity. If newly wet or moldy paper-based objects cannot be air dried within two days, prepare and freeze (Northeast Document Conservation Center). Emergency Guidelines for Art Disasters [PDF: 224 KB / 12 p] (New York Museum of Modern Art) covers -- in addition to paper, books, and photographs -- paintings, framed works of art, optical media, magnetic media, books, and film.
If there are mold stains only, ensure ambient relative humidity stays between 35-55% to prevent regrowth; check items regularly.
Jump to emergency information specifically for books.
How can I get rid of a musty/mildewy smell from my collection item?
If there is active (wet or furry) or dried mold, follow the procedures outlined above: What should I do if my collection items get wet or moldy?
Over time, musty odors will decrease when items are stored with air circulation/exposure (i.e., not enclosed in a box or other packaging) in cool environments with a relative humidity between 35-55%.
Additionally, you can: Maximize the surface area of the item that is exposed to air; Place item in a closed container with activated charcoal or baking soda (Northeast Document Conservation Center) for several days -- prevent the book from coming into contact with the charcoal or baking soda and check often to make sure there is no mold growth; Briefly expose item to sunlight, but only if the possibility of fading/discoloration/yellowing is acceptable.
How can I get rid of bugs infesting my collections?
Preventive measures are the first line of defense. Keep collections areas clean, tidy, and free from food and drink residues. Maintain relative humidity between 35-50%.
Once infested, certain collections can be treated by freezing:
- Approaches to Insect Problems in Paper and Books (Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin)
- Solutions--Low Temperature Treatment (MuseumPests.net)
How do I copyright my work?
The United States Copyright Office handles copyright registrations.
How can I safely exhibit/display my collection item?
The most important preservation considerations for exhibition and display of collection items are:
- temperature
- relative humidity
- lighting
- quality of the exhibition supplies that touch or surround the object (e.g., mat, frame, exhibition case)
- security
Helpful resources: Preservation Guidelines for Matting and Framing; ANSI/NISO Z39.79-2001 standard Environmental Conditions for Exhibiting Library and Archival Materials ; Protecting Paper and Book Collections During Exhibition (Northeast Document Conservation Center).
For more information about the exhibit policies and practices at the Library of Congress, see “Displays: The Role of Preservation in Exhibitions at the Library of Congress ” in the IFLA 2006 international symposium proceedings, The 3-D’s of Preservation: Disaster, Displays, Digitization, pp. 73-96. [PDF: 1.3 MB / 144 p].
How does one become a conservator?
Conservation training can begin at the college/university level, where students have the greatest access to the required cross-disciplinary coursework for admittance to conservation graduate school. Following graduate school, conservators often complete one or two post-graduate fellowships for a total of 3-7 or more years of graduate and post-graduate training. For more information about becoming a conservator, including a list of the graduate schools in North America and the different kinds of work conservators do, please see A Guide to Conservation Education and Training , put together by the American Institute for Conservation, the national professional association for conservators in the U.S.
For a list of training opportunities in conservation, preservation, preservation administration, architectural preservation, and in related fields, see Art Conservation Training: Sources for Degrees, Seminars, and Mid-Career Training (Smithsonian Institution).
Does the Library of Congress offer preservation courses?
The Library of Congress does not offer preservation or library science courses or degrees. The Library does offer collections emergency training for librarians and basic preservation education for the public.
One can participate in workshops and other continuing education opportunities in preservation outside of a degree program through:
- Preservation 101 (live, online course offered by the Northeastern Document Conservation Center)
- Workshops from the Northeast Document Conservation Center
- Workshops from the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts
- LYRASIS Preservation Training
The Book Arts Web maintains a Book Arts Education list.
