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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Hi Esther,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Don’t worry about hijacking, we have paraffin blocks too! Which right now we store in HDPE tubes within glass jars (when the blocks are small) or simply dry in glass jars when the specimens are larger…but
we don’t have many so storage efficiency hasn’t been an issue. I too would love to know of other people’s experiences/thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Tonya<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Langan, Esther<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, 15 February 2023 1:44 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nhcoll-l] slide storage questions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9">This is a great conversation, especially because In the near(ish) future our division and the fish division will begin this endeavor with
our histology collections. The thing we will grapple with most, however, is long-term storage of associated paraffin blocks. Does anyone have good suggestions for these collections, or has anyone already cracked this nut? I’ve not looked recently into this
storage issue, but years ago the only things I encountered were flimsy plastic or cardboard storage boxes with drawers used by the medical industry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9">Tonya, sorry to partially hijack your query, but hoping this related question will be useful to you as well!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9">Esther<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">Esther M. Langan
</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">(she/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">Acting Collection Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">Division of Amphibians & Reptiles
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">tel</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F"> 301.238.1057
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;color:black"><a href="mailto:lastnamefirstinit@si.edu" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F">langane@si.edu</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#323E4F"><a href="https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/amphibians-reptiles"><span style="color:#323E4F">https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/amphibians-reptiles</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;color:#323E4F"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#00C1D5"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#00C1D5">SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Book";color:#00C1D5"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#00778B">NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nmnh.fanpage/"><span style="color:black">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://twitter.com/NMNH"><span style="color:black">Twitter</span></a> |
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/smithsoniannmnh/"><span style="color:black">Instagram</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#00778B">The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) complies with all U.S. export and sanctions laws, as well as fish, wildlife and other regulations
applicable to the importation and exportation of specimens and research materials. Please consider the country of origin and nature of any specimen, sample, object or material shipped to NMNH, and if applicable, ensure that it is properly licensed and otherwise
compliant with U.S. law prior to shipment.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#1001D9"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#1001D9"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> Nhcoll-l <<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Lazo-Wasem, Eric<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 14, 2023 9:12 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <<a href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>>;
<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nhcoll-l] slide storage questions<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt;background:#FFEB9C">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:9.0pt;color:#9C6500">External Email - Exercise Caution</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Hi Tonya,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">I am sure you have heard enough already, but I will throw in my thoughts having addressed the situation recently. We received two grants grant to clean,
rehouse, and digitize nearly 50,000 slides amassed over more than 150 years. In fact, some were made from European specimens in the 1850s, and ours were housed in every conceivable type of slide trays or boxes. Slides ranged from cardboard (with fragment
mounts), plastics (paleo thin sections) and glass (whole mounts, appendages, thin and thick sections). Most of the pre-1900 slides were in filthy wooden boxes that had been in the basement of out museum since the 1920s. Here is what I have learned from all
this:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">To handle variable slides, we purchased trays with tabs that house 1" x 3", 2" x 3", and for the odd sizes no tabs (plastic or magnetic dividers can isolate
slides to keep from moving). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Only balsam stood the test of time as a mounting medium. Glycerin and glycerin jelly routinely failed no matter how well sealed, synthetic medium such as Permount
crystallizes even in good storage conditions, and lactic acid based mountants will continue to clear until the specimen is only visible with DIC microscopy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Slides can be cleaned with DO or distilled water using a swab. We had an army of students paid to do this under the watchful eye of a conservator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Slides stored any way other than flat in a tray will creep over time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Wooden boxes or slide cabinets not only off-gas, but create huge problems with dust and dirt, often by erosion as slides or trays are withdrawn. Not seemingly
a problem at first, but use these for 50 years or more and the residual dirt is considerable. Plastic boxes can work well, but they must be marked carefully - I can't tell you how many times I have seen box opened wrong and 100 slides fall from their slots
in a terrible mess - I have done this myself!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">When available, resources permitting, cabinets with powder coated finishes, including the slide trays, work well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">To get away from the traditional problem of labelling, especially when there is no room left on the slide, we printed a 1" x 3" (or 2" x 3") label with all
relevant data and placed it under the slide (slides held in place with tabs, so nothing can slip). This was especially helpful in the case of type slides (thousands) were we can instantly see the relevant citation history, etc. without first consulting the
database.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Lastly, we use storage codes for our cube slide cabinets, referencing cabinet (we have 27 that hold up to 2400 slides each) and tray number. With the labelling
indicated above, it is easy to find a particular slide or slides as needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Best, Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Eric A. Lazo-Wasem, Senior Collections Manager<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Division of Invertebrate Zoology<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Peabody Museum of Natural History<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Yale University<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">170 Whitney Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">New Haven, CT 06520<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">(203) 432-3784<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black">From:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color:black"> Nhcoll-l <<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> on behalf of Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)
<<a href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 13, 2023 7:22 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a> <<a href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Nhcoll-l] slide storage questions</span><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="xmsonormal">Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">I wonder if any of you have experience with archival microscope slide storage – I have a few long-term slide storage questions. We have a lot of histological and other microscope slides that need to be rehoused - for some preferably in
boxes and others preferably in slide cabinets.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">First, I would love to know people’s thoughts on whether or not there a problem with storing slides in slide boxes long-term? I’m talking about the type where the slides are on their edge, not laying flat. If it is not a problem, is it
acceptable to use polystyrene boxes in this case? They seem to be the only ones I can (easily) find online, but I know that polystyrene is not an archival material. I also have slides that are stored flat in boxes, but they too need to be rehoused because
of a problem with mould growing in the cardboard boxes they’re in.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">This leads me to also ask if any of you have good references or suggestions for the best way to transfer slides from boxes into slide cabinets? Or more to the point, what is the best way to manage the data about each slide, which is often
written on a piece of paper or cardboard in the slide box itself? I see this as a both risky and time consuming part of rehousing the slides.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Finally, we have slides of different sizes – a standard side and an extra wide size. Do any of you have thoughts on if there is an ideal way (or an ideal box) to house such slides?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Your thoughts and advise would be, as usual, very welcome.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Tonya<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">-------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Dr. Tonya M. Haff<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Collection Manager<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Australian National Wildlife Collection<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">CSIRO<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">+61(0)419569109<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.csiro.au%2Fen%2Fabout%2Ffacilities-collections%2Fcollections%2Fanwc&data=05%7C01%7Clangane%40si.edu%7C468edea468934baecc0808db0e957e82%7C989b5e2a14e44efe93b78cdd5fc5d11c%7C0%7C0%7C638119807467984715%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=St37%2F5Bg9pPiwuGzbhMX5Rm37u%2BCVLaRgJVuLnssPY0%3D&reserved=0">https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/collections/anwc</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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