Paper Records and Basic Restoration Processes

There are many important facilities that are responsible for taking care of important archived documents, such as museums and libraries. Museums have the added responsibility of taking care of original documents that are part of the very construction of our company. These facilities must use careful storage methods in order to maintain the safe keeping of these important historical documents.

Digital archiving has indeed become a way to showcase these vital documents. It provides a means for others to view them and appreciate their beauty, while maintaining the original condition of these documents. Many are made from materials that can fall apart, or will rapidly decay when exposed to human contact. There are a few documents that cannot be digitally archived, such as the Declaration of Independence, because of their susceptible materials.

That said, it is not always because an older document can be easily damaged. The paper that is used for printing documents during our time period is also volatile. These documents have been printed on paper that has been processed multiple times, making them easily damaged if exposed to such conditions as human skin oils and the slightest bit of moisture. It is important that you treat all crucial documents as if they were your life line, storing them in the same manner as you would a document that is a piece of our history.

In the case of the facilities mentioned above, special care is taken to ensure the safety of these documents. Inventory is taken on a regular basis. Assessments of the pieces are also done regularly. These institutions acknowledge that coated paper tends to be damaged more so than other types of paper. This is due to the fact that coated paper can absorb more moisture. Documents and archived material that is made from this type of paper is kept in a controlled environment where the temperature and moisture levels are constantly monitored and adjusted to ensure the safety of these materials.

The best type of storage box is the paper archival box. It is specifically designed to protect important documents and other precious materials from excessive water damage, as one would see in a flood. The box itself absorbs the majority of the water in contact, allowing the materials inside to remain relatively safe.

The placement of these archival boxes is also crucial to how they protect your materials inside. Generally, you should store these boxes up off the floor. A shelving unit can provide the space for multiple boxes, and keep the archival boxes off the floor. It is not wise to simply use plastic tubs. They are usually not waterproof or airtight. Excess moisture exposure can allow mold to grow and damage your documents.

In the event of damage, you have the option of calling in the help of a restoration specialist. They have the ability to help return your damaged materials to the closest possible match of the original condition. By using vacuum-freeze drying and air drying techniques, they can often provide you with the restored documents a lot faster than using more traditional methods.