Secretary of State Jason Kander recently advised Missourians about significant threats to the long-term preservation of all types of paper records, and the steps they can take to make their family records last.
"Poor environmental conditions, inadequate care and improper storage techniques can all cause substantial damage to important documents with considerable value for family and community history," said Kander, who oversees the Missouri State Archives.
In particular, insects, mold, fire, tape and lamination can undermine record-keepers' work. As a national leader in document preservation, the Missouri State Archives has developed detailed guides to help the public counter these risks.
"Taking a holistic approach to preservation helps ensure the safe care and storage of treasured family records. I encourage Missourians caring for historic documents to review these resources on my website," Kander said. "The guides cover a variety of important topics including selection of supplies, care of scrapbooks, pest management and general archival terminology."
To view the conservation notes and other resources provided by the Missouri State Archives, visit www.sos.mo.gov/archives/localrecs/conservation/. For additional assistance, call 526-6711 or email [email protected].