Backlog

New date!

When archivists think about the value of materials, or when they appraise a collection, they are usually not thinking about money. Instead, they focus on the importance of what an item says, what it proves, and what it is. This webinar will explore the informational, evidential, and intrinsic characteristics of archival materials, and how these concepts shape what becomes valuable to researchers.

Archival Value
August 10th at 5 pm CT
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../register/ZPa2CRNZTMaZ-lpiYvah9Q

Oversized Folder

a folded enclosure made of paper-based materials, typically used to store prints, maps, and blueprints

As a general rule, materials should never be bigger than their enclosure. It can be tempting while on a budget to fold things that shouldn’t be folded or let oversized materials peek out of a folder, but improper storage like this almost always leads to mechanical damage. Best practices call for materials to be housed in enclosures appropriate to their size.

Enter, oversized folders. Oversized folders provide a first layer of defense for large-format flat materials that are too big to fit in traditional file folders. Like other enclosures, oversized folders can be buffered for acidic materials like newsprint or unbuffered for sensitive materials like blueprints.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

Negative Enclosures

a four-paneled enclosure made of acid-free paper-based materials, typically used to store film and negatives

Properly used, negative enclosures reduce handling damage by dispersing pressure and preventing abrasion. Furthermore, like most enclosures, they act as a first layer of protection from environmental damage like humidity. This is essential for the long-term preservation of the negatives.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

Hygrometer

an environmental monitor used to measure humidity

No matter what kind of cultural heritage materials you’re trying to preserve, having a stable environment for storage is essential. Fluctuations in humidity or sustained high humidity promotes mold growth and dry air can make paper brittle. One of the easiest ways to monitor environmental changes is a hygrometer.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

CD Box

a reinforced enclosure, typically made of acid-free paper-based materials, and specifically designed to house CDs

Like any good archival quality box, a CD box has both reinforced corners to prevent physical damage and is made of acid-free materials to prevent acidification. What makes them different from other storage cartons is their dimensions. A CD box is just wide enough to accommodate a single jewel case (although we recommend using tyvek sleeves), and deep enough to house dozens. Add a few labels and these boxes make for quick searches.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

Buffered Tissue

thin acid-free paper used to buffer acidic materials, also known as interleaving paper

Here at Backlog, we’ve talked a lot about acidic materials. (Yeah, we’re looking at you 20th century paper products.) So by now you probably know the best way to prevent degradation is to neutralize the acidic materials’ pH. This, of course, is where buffered tissue comes in. When you interleave, wrap, or pad materials in buffered tissue, it helps prevent acid from migrating to other archival materials.

If you haven’t seen our webinar on paper preservation, here’s some common culprits of acidification:
- Newspapers
- Scrapbooks
- 20th century books
- Iron gall ink

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

Five years of Backlog. 🎈

We celebrated five years of Backlog over brunch today with our St. Louis team, and I’m grateful for everyone who’s been part of this along the way, including our alumni. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Here’s to the next five 👏

Box Binders

acid-free and reinforced enclosures with internal 3-ring binder rings typically used for storing photographs

Since we’ve already talked about storing slides in slide pages, we should talk about what slide pages are stored in: box binders. In short, box binders are to slide pages (and other archival photo album pages) as storage cartons are to file folders. Their reinforced corners allow them to be stacked and stored on storage shelves like any other box, without damaging their contents. Because box binders are both sturdy and easy to look through, they’re particularly great for collections that are frequently requested.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

Update! You can watch the recording of the Shoestring Digital Preservation webinar here: https://youtu.be/8YTfuc6Z34I

Do you know you need to start preserving your digital materials, but don’t have the budget? Join us for our May webinar, Shoestring Digital Preservation, on May 4th.

Monday, May 4th @ 5 pm via zoom

Register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/a2Br54CzTXiMV8VRM6hdAA #/registration

CD Sleeves

a small enclosure made of Tyvek and used for storing optical media

Anyone who has had a CD collection or dealt with an AV collection knows how brittle and breakable plastic jewel cases are. Tyvek is an inert material that will prevent scratching, won't rip, and is much thinner to allow for storing CDs at higher capacities.

Bonus tip: If the disc came with paper inserts, store the insert separately from the disc.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6