Preservation for the Novice

1. Beginning a Disaster Recovery Southern University at New Orleans Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships U.S. Department of Housing &Urban Development George Amedee, Ph.D., Project Director Author Linda Hill Curator/Archivist Center for African and African American Studies Preservation for the Novice

2. care for Various Types of Materials

3. emergency Preparedness Procedures

4. Introduction Since the waters receded from the floods of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, emergency preparedness procedures maintain a serious standing among many households, institutions, and agencies. It is important to develop a constructive and purposeful emergency management plan, records supervision arrangement, and measures that control everything involved with daily life procedures. While people are sharing problems, reminiscing about these catastrophic events, rebuilding lives, and managing the pain of survival while going about everyday life activities, thinking retrospectively is essential.

5. The task of conducting an identical situation more rapidly on an elevated level is imperative. It is then that a community can all inclusively Proclaim Preparedness!

6. This Preparedness Module Considers the Following: • Care responsibilities related to individual possessions . • Goals in management plans, as well as insuring successfully consistent assessment evaluations. • Flexible plans and sound judgment for addressing any circumstance and making necessary impromptu decisions. • Retaining complete up to date documents regarding property, income tax returns, insurance, and a list of all valuables and general belongings. • Special handling precautions for media (various types of materials) that require particular care precautions and may potentially pose risk to personal health or safe keeping. This preservation module is a summary of preventive measures including personal behavior management , and a synopsis for establishing a successful disaster recovery.

7. emergency preparedness • Specify persons responsible for clearing each area of a building and indicate where everyone should gather . • Emergency call list should supply staff names and phone numbers and begin with those who can respond most quickly listed first. • Always post well organized but basic water damage and fire response procedures. • Remember emergency procedures have prepared instructions for any possible scenarios, including mold outbreak, terrorist attack, power outage, gas or oil leak, various natural disasters, etc. For disasters with advance warning (such as hurricanes, some types of flooding, and wildfires), prepare a list of actions to take once a warning is received. In general, you should prepare procedures for those hazards you identified as the most serious during your risk assessment.

8. Remember : Emergency procedures have prepared instructions for any possible scenarios, including mold outbreak, terrorist attack, power outage, gas or oil leak, various natural disasters, etc. For disasters with advance warning such as hurricanes, some types of flooding, and wildfires: Prepare a list of actions to take once a warning is received. In general, you should prepare procedures for those hazards you identified as the most serious during your risk assessment.

9. emergencyProcedures for Water Damage • Determine the source of water leaks • Cut water off • Notify appropriate parties • If water is coming from above cover objects • If water is coming in from the floor place objects on higher platforms • Remove standing water - Reduce humidity - Circulate air

10. emergency Procedures for Fire Damage • At the presence of fire or smoke pull the nearest alarm • Call Fire Department • If possible locate fire • Turn off computers and equipment • Close fire doors • If the fire is larger than a regular sized garbage can do not try to put out!! • Keep your back to your escape route • Remember: Try to report the fire first!

11. safekeeping Information For Various Types of Materials • Audio disc should be stored upright in individual storage containers. • Keep updated tax records, precious documents stored and readily at hand. • Using paper for any type of storing might attract and hold moisture in a humid climate. • Always label boxed storage items. • Only a non-solvent-based felt-tip permanent marker should be used to label storage boxes. • Do not use adhesive labels or try to remove or reposition existing labels.

12. important Dos &Don’ts Various Types of Media/Materials Organic & Inorganic

13. there are two basic types of media Inorganic materials are nonliving substances such as stone, glass, ceramics, and metals-generally considered to be very durable and stable but not immune from damage. Inorganic materials may be easily broken, scratched, cracked, and worn by exposure to harsh weather. Glass may appear cloudy or drizzled (covered by a network of fine cracks), or it may occasionally even have moisture droplets on its surface, appearing to "weep." White crystals of salts may grow on porous ceramics and stone, disrupting their surfaces. Metalsmay corrode in contact with acidic materials and excessive moisture. Inorganic materials may be easily broken, scratched, cracked, and worn by exposure to harsh weather. Corrosion appears as rust on iron, as the uneven green finish or patina on outdoor bronze sculptures, or as the condition called "bronze disease." There may also exist green corrosion on brass or silver objects, tarnish on silver, fingerprints, or marks from packing materials etched into metal surfaces. (AIC)

15. Organic materials include those made from animal products, such as leather, fur, horn, feathers, ivory, or wool, and those made from plant products, including wood, paper, and fibers. These materials are more susceptible to environmental damage than their inorganic counterparts. Colorants and coatings can also be organic materials. Synthetic materials, such as plastics, are also typically organic. Plastics have been produced for more than 100 years and are increasingly popular with collectors. Some synthetic materials tend to be unstable and deteriorate quickly. (AIC)

16. the Dos & Don’ts of preservation • Minimize the damaging effects of light. Provide control and stability from moderate relative humidity and temperature. • Minimize the effects of air pollution. Minimize pest activity. • Know how to handle your objects. Do not touch the front or back surfaces of oil paintings; touching can cause cracks and other damage. (AIC)

17. Handling of Materials Move furniture by structurally sound elements such as the seat frame or base, never by appendages such as arms or legs. Move framed works of art in a vertical position by handling secure areas of the frame, supporting the bottom and side. Support paper or textile objects from underneath on a sheet of acid-free white mat board or white blotter paper. Remove jewelry and watches before handling your valuables. Make sure buttons, belt buckles, and other accessories will not hurt you or obstruct movement of anything as you handle it. Avoid the presence of food or drink. Keep work surfaces clean and free of extraneous objects such as keys, paper clips, tools, and writing implements.

18. Store three-dimensional objects in labeled boxes that are • sufficiently large. Do not overcrowd the objects in a box. Store • metals under dry conditions. • To retard tarnish, store silver wrapped in Pacific silver cloth • (available at jewelry and department stores )or acid free buffered • tissue. • Pastels, charcoal drawings, and other objects with delicate surfaces require specialized handling; • Some types of plastic storage products, such as page protectors, • photo sleeves, and albums, can be harmful to your photographs, • slides, and negatives. • Objects should not be in direct contact with rubber bands, paper • clips, rubber cement, or other adhesives; self-adhesive labels or • papers; plastics or other clays. • Quality storage boxes, mats, and wrapping tissue made from • cotton fibers (rag) or from purified wood pulp are a better • choice. (AIC)

19. Storage Areas

20. Preservation & Storage of Materials Always talk with a professional concerning preservation, and storage of your special belongings. When preserving a cultural existence such as possessions, public statuary, historic buildings and/or various effects, emergency disaster planning is imperative for your criteria. When you notice changes or inconsistencies in an objects, such as a flaking surface or fading before you try to repair, please research the damages immediately. If your object is infested with insects or mold a professionals is always eager to give care information. Your area library is an excellent beginning resource.

22. Everyone is important when preserving individual histories. We collectively are ideal candidates to help local government offices establish preparedness measures or to consult with these officials in the event of an emergency or disaster situation. Citizens, especially in rural areas, usually contact local people who are familiar rather than “entrusting” state or federal representatives. Along with local trust, archivist, curators, just as state representatives, carry serious authority to follow through with such projects. These people generally disseminate relevant information to the private sector. (AIC)

23. Spreading an established preparedness plan is more cost-effective and better to utilize among pre-identified resources than a government cleanup and recovery program. Therefore it is safe to conclude that pre-emergency and disaster awareness along with excellent care focus will help safeguard and protect important documents and other valuables for the future. By identifying correctable but potentially damaging situations and providing the knowledge for safe keeping or recovery of materials one can remain postured for security against danger. ( AIC)

24. Edited by Stephanie Jordan Project Coordinator SUNO-URAP May 2009 References: American Institute of Conservation Saskatchewan Archive Board (SCAA.sk.ca-The Basic Principles of Preventive Conservation) Fran Werry, SCA Conservator, 1998