Caring for your own archive
Advice on how you can preserve your own records
- Your records are unique and irreplaceable
- Treat with great care as they may be easily damaged
- Avoid exposing to heat, dampness and direct sunlight
- Please make sure that people do not eat or drink near the documents, and that any tabletops and surfaces used are thoroughly clean and dry beforehand
- Handle with care. If hands are clean and dry before handling, gloves are not necessary. Otherwise wear clean cotton, vinyl or latex gloves
- Open books carefully, and only as far as the binding will allow without forcing. Close books when not in use
- Keep items in archival quality packaging, as this will help protect the records from damage and preserve them for the future
- Use only pencil to make notes
- Never try to repair anything yourself
- Download guidance on caring for a wide range of materials from the Institute of Conservation - how to care for series
- Use the Conservation Register to find an accredited conservator
- Check out the downloads attached to this page
- For guidance on keeping and storing records, including what you need to keep, see Adding to Gloucestershire Archives’ Collections
- Contact us