So the worst has happened. The spine of your book has broken. A page has been torn out. But you’re not quite ready to call a conservator. What can you do?

Well, duh. But what does that mean, “handle gently”?

How do you organize your books? By color? By title? Author? Believe it or not, there is a correct answer!

When you’re unfamiliar with historical preservation, the precautions we take seem like a lot of work (and money) for *potential* risks. You might even find yourself asking wondering, do you really need to be *that* careful? So today we’re going to take a look at one of the worst case scenarios caused by not monitoring your storage environment: red rot.

Do archivists really wear white gloves all day?
Not quite! While gloves are usually not recommended for handling paper or books, there’s one big exception: photographs. The emulsion layer on photos is sensitive to body oils, which can leave lasting damage.

Want to know when (and how) to use gloves properly? We've got you covered—literally.

Temperature fluctuations can do more than just encourage mold growth—they can also physically damage your collection. As temperatures rise, materials expand; as they drop, they contract. Over time, this constant shift weakens the molecular structure of objects, making them brittle or warped. If your collection is stored in a space with frequent extreme temperature changes, like an uninsulated attic, it may be at risk of irreversible damage.

Archival Enemies: Office Supplies to Avoid

Staples rust, paper clips warp, rubber bands crumble, tape leaves residue, and ink is forever. But the worst? Lamination—irreversible and destructive. Protect your documents with pencils and proper archival storage!

Genealogy research often lacks birth certificates, but midwives' diaries can fill the gap. Martha Ballard’s diary, from 1785 to 1812, provides a rare look into the lives of families otherwise undocumented.

An emergency plan is more than knowing the nearest exit—it’s your external brain during a crisis, helping you make quick, informed decisions. It should include team contacts, essential equipment, recovery resources, and an emergency budget. Most importantly, always put human health and safety first.

The 1870 census, the first after the Civil War, listed African Americans by name for the first time — a stark contrast to previous censuses, where enslaved individuals were recorded only as statistics. For many, it was the first official record of their surname.