How to preserve your family or community archive: the Collection Care Covid-19 lockdown blogs. Blog CC #3

• How do I care for my collection?
• Want to know where to start?

In our Collection Care blog #2, we addressed the question: why care for the collection? Now it’s time to consider ‘how’.

Think of your document, object or collection as sitting inside several outer layers.  These can provide protection, or they could be sources of harm.  We need to think about each of these layers when preserving our collections.

Each collection is unique and is kept in a particular location and environment.  It will be different for everyone.

In our next Collection Care blog, (blog #4) we will introduce you to the 10 agents of deterioration.  For now, it’s enough for you to know that there are multiple threats to your collection!

You will need to make a plan that meets your specific needs.  You can download an Action Checklist from our website which will give you some things to consider.  It covers Aims (touched on in blog #2), Buildings, Storage, Housekeeping, Handling & Use, Environment, Conservation, Copies and Emergencies, and can be used as a framework to ensure your collection is well protected and cared for.

Keep an eye on our blogs, we will keep adding to them to inspire and sustain you and to help you to build and improve your plan!

Based on Gloucestershire Archives Heritage Hub Collection Care training developed by Ann Attwood ACR Collections Care Development Officer and Rachel Wales ACR Collections Care Conservator

At Gloucestershire Archives, through our National Lottery Heritage funded “For The Record” project, we will support people to: “document, care for, interpret and celebrate their personal and shared history”.