Tools of the Trade: Box Binders

Written By Dmitri Schmidt

Box Binders

acid-free and reinforced enclosures with internal 3-ring binder rings typically used for storing photographs

Since we’ve already talked about storing slides in slide pages, we should talk about what slide pages are stored in: box binders. In short, box binders are to slide pages (and other archival photo album pages) as storage cartons are to file folders. Their reinforced corners allow them to be stacked and stored on storage shelves like any other box, without damaging their contents. Because box binders are both sturdy and easy to look through, they’re particularly great for collections that are frequently requested.

Want to learn more about the tools of the archival trade? Check out our webinar on YouTube!

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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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Academic Archives: Why They Matter and Why I Love Working With Them