Handling rolled maps and paper bundles

Rolled maps and bundles come in a range of sizes, weights and materials, which can present handling issues.

Areas of vulnerability:

• The outermost layer of a roll or bundle is vulnerable to abrasion and damage when removed from or returned to its housing.
• The edges of rolls and bundles can be at risk of tearing and cracking through handling.
• Rolled maps may be lined with a supportive layer of paper or cloth, which can create weaknesses in the maps’ surface. This can lead to cracking, which prevents the map from flattening completely during use.
• Contents of a bundle may vary in size, shape and material. Layers may be loose or can be sewn to one another. Assess each layer carefully as you unroll it, to ensure they remain in the same order and are not at risk of tearing if attached to one another.
• Inks and pigments can be vulnerable to damage from both abrasion and light exposure, which can lead loss and fading.

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Handling aids:

• All types of weight may be used to safely view rolled maps and paper bundles, but do consider the condition of the document when selecting the most appropriate weight – larger or heavier weights may damage fragile documents.
• Glass weights provide a gentle weight that can be used on fragile areas or areas of text and images.
• Snake weights are useful for applying a gentle and flexible weight to keep materials in place – for example, tucked inside rolled items to prevent movement.
• Bag weights can be used with documents that require more weighting – for example, parchment that cannot lay flat unaided. They should be used on non-fragile areas and can be stacked to prevent movement. They are not suitable for use on areas with text or images.

Handling top tips:

• Because they can be difficult to handle by yourself, please seek assistance when removing large, rolled bundles from their housing.
• Unroll document slowly using both hands. Use weights to keep the roll open, avoiding areas of media where possible.
• Retain the order of a layer within a bundle. Remove and replace documents one at a time.
• Avoid touching areas of text; use a paper marker if needed.
• Re-roll the document as tightly as you found it. When re-rolling, align the document edges where possible and use weights to assist in handling. Apply a little tension to the roll if needed, being aware of sewn or damaged areas. Ask for assistance if needed.
• After returning the document to its housing, ensure it is re-secured it by re-tying its cotton tape.
• Large rolled maps of bundles can be difficult to handle – if you encounter difficulty, please ask for assistance from a member of staff.

For more handling tips, watch our guidance video on how to handle rolled documents.