08-15-2008, 12:43 AM
Hi Eric,
The pocket pages you have look a good and cheap option for storing ID documents.
After taking advice from the document preservation experts at our state library I took a slightly different tack. I use Archival Quality 4" x 5" and 4" x 6" polyester sleeves bought from a local supplier. They cost ~35 cents each. See attached image. I intend to use the clear space at the top to write info about each book. I then store them in an archival box.
The main thing that my local experts said was, as you also say, that PVC is definitely not an option for document storage. Acids and plasticisiers leach out of it and make the paper dry and brittle.
The other thing they told me was that if you use binders you should also be careful as a lot have PVC coverings which will lead to the same effects as PVC pages but over a longer period.
In Australia our National Archives have set standards for archival materials such that if archival quality materials are bought they are guaranteed not to do harm for 500 years. I believe the US Congress library has also produced similar standards. Thus it is worth seeing whether any materials you use fit to their standards.
Simon
P.S. Very envious of your early Voenny Bilet!!!!!!
The pocket pages you have look a good and cheap option for storing ID documents.
After taking advice from the document preservation experts at our state library I took a slightly different tack. I use Archival Quality 4" x 5" and 4" x 6" polyester sleeves bought from a local supplier. They cost ~35 cents each. See attached image. I intend to use the clear space at the top to write info about each book. I then store them in an archival box.
The main thing that my local experts said was, as you also say, that PVC is definitely not an option for document storage. Acids and plasticisiers leach out of it and make the paper dry and brittle.
The other thing they told me was that if you use binders you should also be careful as a lot have PVC coverings which will lead to the same effects as PVC pages but over a longer period.
In Australia our National Archives have set standards for archival materials such that if archival quality materials are bought they are guaranteed not to do harm for 500 years. I believe the US Congress library has also produced similar standards. Thus it is worth seeing whether any materials you use fit to their standards.
Simon
P.S. Very envious of your early Voenny Bilet!!!!!!
