If you do in fact decide that you need to cover the SS# up, I would say
that scanning those docs and digitally editing that information out
would be the easiest and least destructive to the manuscripts.  That
way, you can place a printout of the edited version out for user access,
but retain the originals until such time as they can be safely provided
to researchers.

Hope that helps!

Jennifer Harp
Archivist and Records Manager
Mount St. Mary's University

-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of LYNNETTE WESTERLUND
Sent: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 6:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Covering up social security numbers in manuscript collections

I have a question about how to handle a manuscript collection that has
the 
social security number of an author on a number of documents.  It is not
a 
restricted collection, but we are interested in covering or marking out
the 
social security number to protect the author for security reasons.  We 
don't, however, want to create preservation problems with the documents 
through the use of ink or correction fluid or tape that will damage the 
paper.  What do you think is the least problematic method, from a 
preservation prespective, to deal with this?  Has anyone had to deal
with a 
similar situation?  Thanks for your help!

Lynnette Westerlund
Children's Literature Research Collections
University of Minnesota

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