[NHCOLL-L:3113] Information re. storage of maps

[Bonnie_Szirtes at pch.gc.ca]

Good afternoon/morning everyone,

Recently a question regarding the storage of maps, ranging from ledger 
size to 16' by 4', many of them older than 50 yrs old, was posted on the 
Alberta Museum Association listserv.  Michael Gourlie of the Archives 
Society of Alberta posted the following reply that I thought might be of 
interest to those in this group dealing with the same issue:

" Regarding your question about maps, you might want to consider the 
information below taken from Chapter 6, "Collections," from Basic 
Conservation of Archival Materials, Revised Edition 2003.  It does talk 
about the flat storage option, but does provide another alternative.
 
The entire chapter can be found online at 
http://www.cdncouncilarchives.ca/RBch6_en.pdf (the entire seven chapter 
publication can be found at 
http://www.cdncouncilarchives.ca/public_free.html).
 
Michael Gourlie
Archives Society of Alberta
 
_______________________________________
 
Oversize Storage
• Oversized records, such as architectural drawings, maps and plans, etc., 
should be stored horizontally in labeled acid-free map folders.
• Acid-free interleaving tissue should be used between coloured records 
such as architectural presentation drawings and other particularly 
valuable records.
• Blueprints should be stored in unbuffered enclosures as they are 
alkaline sensitive.
• Folders should be selected to fit the size of the drawers. All folders 
within one drawer should be the same size regardless of the size range of 
the enclosed records. This minimizes the chance that smaller folders will 
get pushed to the back of drawer and crushed.
• Map cabinets with shallow drawers are best for this type of storage. As 
a less expensive alternative, use wide, closely spaced shelves of 
sufficient depth so that stored items do not project beyond the front 
edge.
• Oversized records may have to be rolled. Overall support can be given to 
an oversized record by rolling it around the outside of an acid-free tube 
or an ABS (acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene) plumber’s pipe. ABS tube is 
widely available in hardware stores and generally comes in black. Do not 
store rolled records inside tubes as it can be difficult to remove them. 
The rolled record should be covered with either buffered paper or 
polyester film to protect the record from soiling and abrasion."

Bonnie Szirtes
Heritage Information Analyst / Analyste de l'information sur le patrimoine
Professional Programs / Programmes professionels
CHIN / RCIP
Tel./Tél. : 819-934-5022
Fax./Télécopieur : 819-994-9555
www.chin.gc.ca / www.rcip.gc.ca
www.virtualmuseum.ca / www.museevirtuel.ca


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