#preservation tips

[lakecountylibrary]

Something they don’t teach you in library school: large donations of vinyl are likely to attract flights of dryer sheets. Don’t panic, though. Dryer sheets are the natural predators of mildew smells and won’t damage the records. In fact, some libraries keep a domesticated flock of dryer sheets on hand in the supply closet, just in case.

[varnishisapowerfulliquid]

Wrapping Materials for Plastic Artworks

Suitable packaging materials for plastic objects are dependent on the plastic type and its major degradation pathway. Acid-free tissue is suitable for cellulose nitrate and acetate which evolve acidic gases as degradation products. Tissue allows the gases to escape thus reducing the risk of autocatalytic degradation which occurs significantly faster than the initial hydrolytic breakdown. The packaging tissue may be degraded by the evolved acid indicating that the storage microclimate is unsuitable. PVC should not be packed in Tyvek (high density polyethylene) or other polyethylene bags or foams because these adsorb phthalate plasticizers readily from the object and result in further degradation. Polyester, such as Melinex or Mylar does not adsorb plasticizers and is therefore suitable for PVC. - Yvonne Shashoua on Conservation DistList.