Preparing documents for a readers survey.

Preservation

Our Preservation Section is charged with ensuring appropriate policies and practices are in place to reduce the risk of damage to The National Archives´ Collections. The Preservation Section provides an integrated preservation programme of risk assessment, staff training, emergency response planning, pest monitoring, and on-going support to The National Advisory Service.

Integrating preservation

Our comprehensive preservation policy sets out the principles and guidelines that underpin all activities throughout The National Archives, which effect the preservation of the collection.

Reducing the risks of damage

Preservation Risk Assessment

This project, based on a model developed by Dr Rob Waller from the Canadian Museum of Nature, was launched in October 2005. It will generate key information to enable strategies to be put in place for managing the risks identified in the most cost-effective way. The project records material types and their state of preservation, highlights the significance of different types of deterioration, and identifies overall risks to the collection. For further information contact Head of Preservation, Dr Anna Bülow mailto:anna.buelow@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Records Salvage

• business recovery plan (PDF, 235.05kb)

For further information contact Head of Preservation, Dr Anna Bülow mailto:anna.buelow@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Advice and guidance

Handling of Documents

Inappropriate handling of documents can cause irreparable damage. Our program of staff training and information for readers aims to explain how to handle documents safely to as to prevent such damage occuring. Read our advice to readers on how to handle documents.

Care of records

The National Archives and The Institute of Paper Conservation have teamed up to produce a series of easy to understand leaflets which offer advice and guidance on the care of books, documents, and photographs in both public and private collections.

• Caring for your prints, drawings and watercolours (PDF, 894.13kb)

• Caring for your photographs (PDF, 292.32kb)

• Caring for your books (PDF, 971.60kb)

Materials specifications

• Box board specifications (, 14.50kb)

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