[Nhcoll-l] ? buffered paper for labels in bird and mammal collections

Tue Jan 24 14:21:41 EST 2017

Hi Charles

It is always amazes me how quickly, the seemingly simple act of labelling natural history specimens can get very complicated-- from the range of specimens to label,  to the paper, to the ink and the method of attaching the label to the specimen.

At the Canadian Museum of Nature, we are also aware that good long-standing collections management/preservation practices can easily be lots during time of change, such as a generational change in many  of our collection managers. Therefore in 2015, we had a talented and industrious intern, Erika Range, conduct a detailed survey of all our long standing specimen labelling methods, materials and suppliers. We use 100% cotton rag (acid free, lignin free) for our dry paper labels.

Erika also wrote a comprehensive SPNHC Best Practices on Labelling Natural History collections (see links below) and we develop "decision trees" to help select materials for different situations. Finally we identified a few practical testing protocols that need updating; and a few  very specific issues related to thermal printed labels that could benefit from some review or testing by conservation scientists.

I hope you find this information useful.

Carolyn Leckie

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__spnhc.biowikifarm.net_wiki_Labeling-5FNatural-5FHistory-5FCollections&d=CwIFAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=Skl9pJgC7i0l3iyqDL14PV359NqpStOGpoxSerWi290&s=M43hhlRFsq0CXVZl7XBJFk309aaAKS5xQ9pwIf9bPjc&e= 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__spnhc.biowikifarm.net_w_media_8_8b_1-5FLabelling-5FFlow-5FChart-5FIntroduction-5FVersion-5F4.pdf&d=CwIFAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=Skl9pJgC7i0l3iyqDL14PV359NqpStOGpoxSerWi290&s=BxVFbbpnDv082LJs-UxODc6ghUKvczgq3JrQVDa1YZw&e= 
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Excerpt from SPNHC Best Practices Wiki on Labelling Natural History Collections
Paper
There is a wealth of information about the permanence of paper produced by the library, archives and photographic preservation communities (Carter and Walker 1999, Gisbert et al 1990, Hawks and Williams 1986, Hawks and Williams 2005, Hughes and Leckie 1994, Metsger and Byers 1999, Moore 2008). While many of the information and standards relate only to library and archives, much of this information is transferable to natural history collections.

The overarching standard on the permanence and durability of paper is ISO 11108:1996, Information and documentation -- Archival paper -- Requirements for permanence and durability. The key benchmarks identified by this standard are
*         A pH of 7.0-10
*         A tear resistance of 5.25 mNm2/g (Durability)
For wood pulp papers it must also:
*         An alkaline reserve of 2% calcium carbonate
*         Paper stock should not contain more than 1% lignin and a Kappa number no greater than 7.

There are two different types of paper which meet this standard.
1.   100% Cellulose (rag) paper (cotton or linen). These papers are chemically stable, have a neutral pH, and have long fibres which provide great strength even when wet.
2.   Modern permanent paper produced using wood pulp. This paper meets the standard because it is processed to remove most of the lignin and is buffered with 2% calcium carbonate, resulting in a pH of 7.5-10.

Archival paper will not contain fillers, chalk, optical brightness, bleach and will not contain recycled paper fibres. Different archival papers are suitable for different applications. For conventional dry labels, the first choice should be 100% cellulose cotton or linen (rag) paper, because of its long paper fibres and durability. If there is the risk of acid migration from specimen or environment then the second choice for dry labels is archival permanent paper made from wood pulp because it has an added buffer to raise the pH.
Note 1: Permanent wood pulp paper is better suited for use with storage supplies or printing records for permanent retention because the paper fibres are less durable.
Note2: Buffered papers should not be used with or next to proteinaceous materials.

[Range et al Labelling Fig 12 Standards text box.png]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__spnhc.biowikifarm.net_wiki_File-3ARange-5Fet-5Fal-5FLabelling-5FFig-5F12-5FStandards-5Ftext-5Fbox.png&d=CwIFAg&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=Skl9pJgC7i0l3iyqDL14PV359NqpStOGpoxSerWi290&s=DrzD-Fz-_adl4B72xkD2L9rNJUI0o7ARVUbN0TFr-Lo&e= >
From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Charles M. Dardia
Sent: January-23-17 1:35 PM
To: Nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] buffered paper in collections

It has been long advised to avoid enclosures made from carbonate buffered paper or boards to store natural history specimens. Is there any advice, wisdom or facts out there concerning the use of buffered paper for labels?  Particularly those labels tied to the legs of bird and mammal specimens?

Any help appreciated.

Charles

Charles M. Dardia
Collections Manager
Cornell Museum of Vertebrates
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 254-2161
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