Tools of the Trade: File Folders

Written By Dmitri Schmidt

file folder
noun

a folded enclosure, typically made of paper-based materials and used for storing and organizing paper records.

File folders are the basis of any archival collection. They’re not only ideal for storing loose documents together as a unit, but they can also be used to organize newspaper clippings, prints, and even some books.

Here’s three questions you should ask yourself when purchasing archival grade folders:
What size are they folders? Depending on the document you intend to house, you may need legal, oversized, or even custom folders.
Can the bottom of the folder be scored?
Are they buffered? Acidic materials like newspapers should be stored in buffered folders, while alkaline-sensitive materials like blueprints should be stored in unbuffered folders.

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

https://youtu.be/T6lSNqpmcL0?si=sxjFQv2MuwX4UAm6

#ToolsoftheTrade #BacklogArchivists #Conservation #Preservation

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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Tip #34: Never store your news clippings next to other documents.