Poor quality storage materials can hasten the deterioration of collections. Paper and board should be free of acidic compounds and unpurified wood pulp and have less than 1% lignin, which may cause staining, fading and degradation.
When choosing adhesives or tape, consider reversibility as well as characteristics such as flexibility and pH. In general, adhesives that come in contact with items of permanent value should be reversible without damaging the object. Adhesives used on storage materials, such as boxes and folders, should be permanent but not become yellow or embrittle over time. Self-adhesive labels should be chosen for permanence and affixed to storage materials, not to valuable items.
Record label information with permanent, pigment-based ink or toner. If you must mark on a photo or document, choose a soft pencil and write on the back.
Avoid fasteners that cause holes or abrasion. Remove old paper clips and staples that can rust and, if necessary, replace with non-rusting ones. And eliminate rubber bands completely—they contain damaging sulfur and can dry up and leave a gummy mess.
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