Tip #12: Differentiate between high panic and low panic threats.

Written By Dmitri Schmidt

Pop quiz! Name one (1) threat to archival material that is particularly dangerous due to its ability to spread.

If you said pests or mold, you’d be right!

Now name a threat that isn’t likely to spread (but still needs to be addressed).

Did you say mechanical and handling wear or a natural chemical change such as toning, fading, or foxing? Another point!

For the past couple months we’ve been discussing many different types of threats to our collections and it’s okay if it’s all a bit overwhelming. Breaking threats down into high priority (threats that will spread) and important, but not quite as high priority (threats that won’t spread) can help you plan and prioritize your approach.

The other best way to keep from being overwhelmed is to make a *spoiler alert* emergency plan. More on that coming soon. 😉

Want to learn more about mitigating damage in your collection? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

Dmitri Schmidt

Dmitri plays a pivotal role in coordinating Backlog’s outreach efforts. They curate our weekly #FridayFinds and #ArchivalTips social media posts, shedding light on items discovered in our genealogy work and providing tips and tricks to approaching problems in the archives.

Dmitri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and German Studies from Saint Louis University. During their university years, they dedicated over 1000 hours to interning and volunteering at local St. Louis institutions, including the St. Louis Science Center and the St. Louis University Museum of Art. As the Collections Intern at the Science Center, Dmitri assisted in developing and installing the "Into the Vault" exhibit.

Before joining Backlog, Dmitri served as a Fulbright Grantee, teaching English as a second language in former East Germany. From guiding 11th graders in analyzing pop albums as poetry to discussing the significance of the civil rights movement with 8th graders, they covered a broad spectrum of subjects. While reveling in connecting with students and injecting fun into grammar lessons, Dmitri's deep passion for all things archival eventually drew them back home.

Today, Dmitri works as a Herbarium Assistant at the Missouri Botanical Garden, helping digitize the millions of preserved plant specimens. After being scanned and transcribed, these images aid scholars around the globe in furthering botanical research. Dmitri also serves as the archivist for the Kirkwood Historical Society. They are currently overseeing the “Journeys into Kirkwood’s History” project, which aims to digitize documents related to Kirkwood’s early Black settlements.

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