If you do indeed mean "Rubbermaid" brand containers, I would recommend
against them.  There are different types depending on the need for
rigidity.   Also they lock in moisture.  One of the problems of storage
is locking in moisture in an "air-tight" container.   You really need to
consider acid-free boxes, but if you are concerned about water damage,
you can get prophylene boxes instead.   You can control the humidity to
a degree in the boxes with silica gel containers if that is a concern.

 

Dean

 

 

Dean DeBolt

University Librarian, Special Collections

John C. Pace Library, University of West Florida

11000 University Parkway

Pensacola, FL  32514-5750

850-474-2213

[log in to unmask]

 

________________________________

From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Bishop O'Rourke Library
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 12:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Storing old photos

 

We are in the process of digitizing some old photos so we can use the
digital versions and keep the originals stored away.  In the past, the
pictures suffered some water damage, so one of our staff members
proposed moving the originals to rubbermaid containers.  I recall
hearing that some forms of plastic will damage photographs over time, so
I wonder is rubbermaid safe?  The pictures will be in acid-free paper
sleeves and would otherwise be in archival boxes.  Cost is a concern,
and humidity control where the photos are housed for the next few years
may not be very good (we are in a very cramped space as a new facility
is being built).

Thanks for any advice you can give to this pinch-hitting librarian.

 

Melissa Martinez
Librarian, Bishop O'Rourke Library
St. John's Catholic Newman Center 
Phone: (217) 255-6610
Email: [log in to unmask]   

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the
Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of
participation, please refer to
http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. 

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] 

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html 

Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org.
For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>