Characteristics of effective storage/preservation programs

What are the principles and ethical concepts we need to know to work effectively with conservators to preserve our records? They are embodied in the following characteristics of effective storage/preservation programs:-

1. work on a macro scale i.e. seek impact on large volumes of material or institution-wide problems

2. focus on preventative rather than prescriptive work

3. establish a base line of care for all holdings, not just a few precious items

4. stress the critical importance of accurate problem diagnosis and solution analysis to programme effectiveness. In particular, treatments to original materials should be carefully thought through and planned to match (not exceed) and solve a specific problem or series of related problems, not to create others.

5. ensure that storage methods and facilities do not endanger the 'recordness' of documentary materials

• document (before/after) all treatments fully
• interfere with originals as little as possible
• validate new techniques/technologies by careful and authoritative testing before use
• use no processes or materials which can weaken the material of which the record is made
• choose repair materials and methods of same or similar type to those used in making the original record under treatment
• make all repairs/treatments detectible and reversible.

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