You can test your copier paper using an inexpensive pH pen or whatever method you're used to using to test pH. Every type of copier paper I've tried has tested acid-neutral, except recycled paper. Arel Lucas, C.A. Archives/Special Collections Librarian Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott Campus _____ From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nancy Iannucci Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 6:40 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Archival fasteners and an addition question... Although I dislike plastic clips, I do find that using acid-free paper as separators is a very expensive practice. I have a hard enough time keeping my copy machine supplied with acid-free paper let alone use these sheets as dividers. Personally speaking, I could go through loads of these sheets just as dividers alone. So, I do use plastic clips here and there to help keep costs down. I also have another question. Is it absolutely necessary to buy the most expensive line of acid-free paper (which can be found in our archival supply catalogs) instead of using the paper that our institution buys in bulk (which are labeled acid-free)??? I have been meaning to put this question out there for some time...I guess now is as good a time as any. Thanks for your thoughts in advance. Nancy Iannucci Emma Willard School Archives [log in to unmask] _____ From: Archives & Archivists on behalf of Wood, Thomas J Sent: Wed 8/23/2006 5:52 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Archival fasteners Yes, plastic paper clips are terrible -- they damage the paper and fly off at the slightest touch. For (recent, not antiquarian) documents of only a few pages, stainless steel staples are fine. Sheets of acid free paper folded in half keeps more fragile or valuable documents stored in a folder together. Longer documents deserve their own folders. Thomas J. Wood Archivist Archives/Special Collections LIB 144 University of Illinois at Springfield One University Plaza, MS BRK 140 Springfield IL 62703-5407 217-206-6520 | [log in to unmask] | <http://www.uis.edu/archives/> 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]> 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]>