Conservation

We carry out conservation work on the documents held in our collection. However we can also help you look after the records you may own.

The Conservation Department

The work of the conservation department is split in to two parts: preservation, which is mainly concerned with proper storage and conservation, which consists of physically repairing damaged items.

Preservation

In order to preserve the archives we need to ensure that they are stored correctly.

The temperature and humidity of the storage areas are constantly monitored; if it got too hot and humid, mould would start growing on the documents.

We avoid insect infestations with good housekeeping procedures and insect traps in all storage rooms.

To protect the documents from light and dust, they are packaged with acid free materials and stored in archival boxes.

And we have a disaster plan in place just in case something were to go wrong, a leaking pipe for instance.

Conservation

Damaged documents, books, photographs, etc. are repaired using specialist materials and equipment.

If you would like to find a qualified paper conservator near you, please phone the Institute of Paper Conservation on 01684 591150.