Archives and Special Collections Handling Guidelines
PLEASE DO:
- Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before handling items.
- Only use pencils when interacting with items. NO INK!
- Assume all items are fragile – assess their condition before you pick them up and consider how to handle them.
- Use book rests and weights when needed.
- Turn only one page at a time using the outermost corners.
- Ensure no creases occur when returning loose documents to a folder.
- Wear gloves provided when viewing photographs not housed in polyester sleeves.
- Use acid-free slips to temporarily mark pages of interest.
- Keep files of documents in their original order.
- Immediately alert staff to any damage to items caused accidentally through use or the discovery of earlier damage.
- Keep looking and thinking as you handle items: lapse in concentration and attention to detail are the most likely causes of damage.
- Alert staff if personal or sensitive information is found in archival records.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM:
- Eating or drinking in Special Collections.
- Leaning or resting on any item.
- Marking the item in any way.
- Leaving volumes open for prolonged periods or bending spines back.
- Flicking through multiple pages of volumes.
