Objects
CHALLENGES
- Objects included a large variety of formats and materials, many of which are not usually found in library collections (textiles, sealed food containers, etc.)
- Many collection items were incurring damage from original loose, acidic containers
- Most objects did not fit well in commercially available boxes and required custom supports to keep them safe during transport to and from the Modules
SOLUTIONS
- Large textiles (flags, banners) were rolled onto supportive tubes lined with unbleached cotton muslin and tied with cotton-twill tape
- Smaller textiles (t-shirts, bandanas) were housed individually in four-flap boxes with each item wrapped around cotton batting covered with unbuffered tissue
- Small objects (architectural figures, buttons) were placed in divided boxes padded with Volara® foam
- Especially fragile items were housed in boxes fitted with custom supports carved from Ethafoam® or made from folded corrugated board lined with Volara® foam or batting and muslin
- Flatter items (paper fans) were housed in custom sink mats made from Volara® foam cut to the object shape and adhered to a sheet of mat board or corrugated board fitted with a polyester overlay; smaller flat items (coins) were placed in sheets of polyester with custom pockets
Left: Custom sink mat using Volara® foam and polyester overlay.
Center: Textile object (t-shirt) folded over a cushion of batting that is wrapped with tissue and housed in a custom four-flap box.
Right: Ceramic vase cushioned with Ethafoam® and Volara® inside a custom box.
Left: Preservation Technician Tiffany Welch folds a bandana.
Center: Housing for architectural models.
Right: Architectural models before housing.
