According to Mary Lynn Rizenthaler (2015), scrapbooks “fulfill the desire to acquire, organize, and assemble information about individuals, families, or organizations; significant personal events; or even a subject of interest” (n.p.). The pages of a scrapbook have long been a way for individuals to store cherished photographs, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and documents. While scrapbooking continues to be a popular crafting hobby around the world, it is becoming increasingly common for individuals to store their important photographs or documents digitally. For those who own scrapbooks, perhaps ones that have been passed down from generation to generation, it is important to understand the best practices of preserving these treasured items to ensure their quality and guarantee their longevity.
As with any item being preserved, one must first assess the current condition of the scrapbook to determine the optimal way to safeguard it. Scrapbooks are unique items to be preserved because their pages can contain a wide variety of mediums that age and deteriorate at different speeds. Newspaper clippings can curl and turn yellow, photographs can collect dust or begin to peel off of the page, and items can become brittle and break. The Library of Congress (n.d.) mentions that historically, the materials used to create the scrapbook itself are of poor quality. The binding, paper quality, and and plastics used to craft a scrapbook leave it vulnerable to serious damage (Library of Congress, n.d.). Therefore, it is necessary to assess each component of the scrapbook to better understand how to best preserve its current quality and to prevent further damage.
An obstacle many scrapbook owners face in preserving their collection is storage. It is tempting to purchase a bookshelf to keep each bound book neatly organized and easily accessible. However, the National Archives (2016) suggests storing scrapbooks in a box on a flat 3 shelf. There are several reasons for this statement. The first is that scrapbooks are usually bulky in nature and cannot close properly or lie completely flat. Scrapbooks often contain a variety of three-dimensional objects which makes storing them in a bookcase damaging to the contents (National Archives, 2016). In the event pages become loose or items fall out of the scrapbook, keeping it stored in a box allows for easy retrieval of the damaged pieces and prevents an individual from forgetting which album the items belonged to. The storage box protects the scrapbook from dust, dirt, and harsh lighting that may distort the color of the cover or the pages (National Archives, 2016). Ritzenthaler (2015) suggests keeping storage boxes in cool, dry conditions. Places such as warm attics or musty garages encourage water damage, mildew, mold, and insects. Warm areas can cause the glues and adhesives used in the scrapbooks to melt and for items within the books to slip out of place (Ritzenthaler, 2015, n.p.).
Proper storage is vital in the process of preserving scrapbooks. However, individuals often wish to preserve scrapbooks so that they may be enjoyed by others in the future. When handling the physical scrapbook, it is vital to keep this thought in mind. Preservation of the scrapbook involves viewing it with care. Pages cannot be flipped through quickly or haphazardly. According to the Library of Congress (n.d.), “brittle pages can break, items can easily become detached or torn, and bindings can also break… It is always best to wear white cotton gloves while handling scrapbooks, especially if they contain photographic materials.” Hands can oftentimes be the most damaging to scrapbooks. Lotions, oils, and food or drink residue left on the hands can stain or deteriorate pages (Ritzenthaler, 2015, n.p.). Wearing cotton gloves are the ideal way to preserve the scrapbook while handling it.
Inevitably, scrapbooks may become damaged. Although it may seem like fixing the damage is easy, the Library of Congress (n.d.) warns that “it can be extremely detrimental to 4 long-term preservation if inappropriate materials and methods are used.” Rather than attempting to fix any damage, it is best to leave the scrapbook as it is. If an individual wishes to repair the damage done to a scrapbook, it is recommended to consult a professional conservator (Library of Congress, n.d.). The professional will be able to assess the damages and use the proper methods of treatment to avoid further damaging the album. The American Institute of Conservation (n.d.) website provides a search tool for those interested in looking for a professional conservator in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Today, many individuals are opting to preserve their treasured photographs and documents online. Scrapbooking has become more of a creative hobby than a necessary means to keep important information. However, it is important to understand basic preservation practices to make sure that older family scrapbooks can remain in tact for years to come. When storing scrapbooks, it is recommended to keep them in a box on a flat shelf to prevent damage to contents from dirt, dust, insects, mildew, mold, and harsh lights. Handling the scrapbook is also a part of the preservation process. Looking through pages carefully and taking measures to ensure that hands are gloved or free of lotions, oils, and grease reside will preserve elements in the scrapbook. If a scrapbook is damaged, the help of a professional should always be enlisted if an individual wishes to repair the harm. By taking these steps, personal and family scrapbooks can be enjoyed by generations in the future.
References
American Institute of Conservation. (n.d.). Find a Conservator. American Institute of Conservation. https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/find-a-conservator#
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Preservation Basics: Preservation of Scrapbooks and Albums. The Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/scrapbk.html
National Archives. (2016, August 15). Scrapbooks and Albums. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/preservation/holdings-maintenance/scrapbooks-photos-albums. html
Ritzenthaler, M. L. (2015, Winter). Preserving Scrapbooks - Your Family Archives. Prologue Magazine, 47(4). https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2015/winter/scrapbooks.html
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